Democrats introduce bill to sanctions on El Salvador to “collude” with Trump administration

Democratic Senator Chris van Hollen, D-Md. , Tim Kaine D-Va and D-Calif. Alex Padilla introduced legislation on Thursday to hold El Salvador President Nayib Bukele and other El Salvadorian leaders “responsible” for their alleged human rights violations against the country and “people who have no importance to the royal rulers have committed the crimes of the rulers and have not been ruled by the United Nations.

The bill, titled El Salvador Accountability Act, will impose property obstacles and visa sanctions on Bookele and other El Salvadorian officials, “has engaged in violation of international human rights or deprived individuals of the rights to reside in the United States under the U.S. Constitution.” The measure will also prevent the U.S. from providing any funds to the El Salvador government and direct the U.S. opposition to send international financial aid.

It was a charge of sending more than 200 illegal, allegedly gang members to Cecot, the infamous high-security prison, which was once the detention center for many of El Salvador’s most notorious criminals.

Democrats strongly opposed the move, which accused the government of depriving illegal foreigners who deprived them of due process rights. Democrats have special issues with deportation from illegal foreigners and suspects MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was sent to jail in March.

Ministry of Justice collects human smuggling and conspiracy from Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Van Hollen is the first of several Democrats to fly to El Salvador to meet Abrego Garcia and advocate for his return to the United States

The Justice Department is prosecuting human trafficking charges and Abrego Garcia, who is also suspected of his wife, returned to the United States for trial on June 6.

Van Hollen issued a statement celebrating the return of Abrego Garcia, saying: “It has nothing to do with men, it is about his constitutional rights and the rights of all.”

In a statement announcing the bill on Thursday, Van Hollen accused the Buckler and the El Salvador administration of “collusion with the Trump administration” and “incarcerated the people on “using American taxpayers for their living” as part of a plan to violate constitutional rights.

AG Bondi details the “very serious allegations” facing Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Kilmar Abrego Garcia meets Senator Chris Van Hollen. (x/@chrisvanhollen)

“We must hold Bukele and his relatives responsible for these wrongful actions and for serious violations of their human rights in El Salvador,” Van Hollen wrote.

“We have to make it clear that these injustices are unacceptable and must end,” he said.

Democrats celebrate the return of suspicious human trafficker Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Padilla also flew to El Salvador to advocate for Abrego Garcia, who also commented on the legislation, saying: “The imposition of economic sanctions and visa restrictions on Bucker and his corrupt government is a necessary step in pushing El Salvador to ultimately uphold international human rights law and respect basic civil liberties.”

He added: “We must hold Buckler and all responsible parties responsible for suspending constitutional rights and continue to collude with the Trump administration to imprison people from the United States without due process.”

Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democratic Party, spoke to reporters outside the Wilhelm federal building after being forcibly removed from office at a press conference in Los Angeles on June 12, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

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Padilla tried to undermine Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was detained by authorities after a press conference in Los Angeles.

Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, responded to the legislation in a statement to Fox News’s digital numbers: “Is this just another excuse for Senator Van Hollen to dine with gang members and terrorists in the U.S. taxpayers’ dime?”

“Chris van Hollen (d-irlegal Alien) continues to embarrass himself and betray his voters by spending more time representing illegal foreigners who commit crimes,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson also told Fox News Digital in an email in an email statement.

“His taxpayer funded holidays with terrorists, human traffickers and wives, human traffickers and wives, imposed margaritas on Sip Margaritas, which wasn’t enough – now he wants to keep more criminal offenders in the American community.”