Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Thursday night confirmed that he met with his former constituent who was reported to have been mistakenly deported to El Salvador, despite his request being rejected on Wednesday. 

Van Hollen flew to the Central American country Wednesday in hopes of meeting with Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who the Justice Department said was mistakenly deported over allegations that he was tied to the violent gang, MS-13. 

The Trump administration disputes the claim that Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported. But a judge previously protected Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran citizen, from deportation because of concerns for his safety.

Van Hollen confirmed the meeting in a post on social media, which was achieved with the help of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

"I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance," the senator posted on X. "I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return."

Bukele also confirmed the meeting on his social media account, which appeared to also mock critics who claim the migrant is being held in a "death camp."

"Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the 'death camps' & 'torture,' now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador," Bukele wrote in several posts on X. "Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody."

The comment comes after Van Hollen on Wednesday stated that he was informed the Trump administration is allegedly paying El Salvador to keep the migrant.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.