Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen was denied entry into a Salvadoran prison on Thursday while trying to check on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man deported by the Trump administration despite an immigration court order preventing his removal.

Van Hollen, who is in El Salvador advocating for Abrego Garcia’s release, was stopped by soldiers at a checkpoint near the Terrorism Confinement Center.

Abrego Garcia, who has been accused by U.S. officials of having ties to the MS-13 gang, has not been in contact with his family or lawyers since his detention.

Van Hollen criticized the lack of due process and vowed to continue pushing for Abrego Garcia’s rights to be respected.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers, including Reps. Riley Moore and Jason Smith, have visited the prison in support of Trump’s deportation policies, the Associated Press has reported.

The case has sparked a partisan debate, with Democrats focusing on due process concerns, while Republicans emphasize crime reduction efforts.

Written by B.C. Begley