On their return, lawmakers intensified demands on the State Department, pointing to discrepancies in photos from a brief meeting between Senator Chris Van Hollen and Ábrego García. His legal team suspects the photo was staged by the Bukele government, adding fuel to concerns that both U.S. and Salvadoran officials may be hiding the truth.
Meanwhile, critics accuse the lawmakers of neglecting domestic issues in favor of a foreign detainee. Supporters, however, say the case raises urgent questions about due process and U.S. responsibility under international law. With conflicting narratives, executive power under scrutiny, and the public deeply divided, this case may become a defining legal and political flashpoint in the battle over immigration and human rights.