Washington, D.C. — A heated confrontation unfolded Tuesday during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration’s handling of immigration policy. The sharpest exchange came with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who criticized the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member, to El Salvador.
Van Hollen, a vocal opponent of the administration’s hardline immigration stance, accused Rubio of promoting a campaign of “fear and repression” that he claimed undermines democratic values.
“Your campaign of fear and repression is eating away at the foundational values of our democracy,” Van Hollen said, comparing recent actions to the Red Scare of the 1950s.
“And I have to tell you directly and personally that I regret voting for you for secretary of state.”
Rubio swiftly rejected the criticism:
“That’s just a flippant statement, Mr. Secretary,” he said.
When Van Hollen sought additional time to respond, Committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho) denied the request, stating the senator had “woefully used” his allotted time.
Rubio went on to defend budget cuts and policy decisions under his leadership:
“I’m actually very proud of the work we’ve done with USAID,” Rubio noted.
“For example, I don’t regret cutting $10 million for male circumcisions in Mozambique. I don’t know how that makes us stronger and more prosperous as a nation.”
Rubio Accuses Van Hollen of Meeting with Alleged Gang Member
The exchange intensified when Rubio brought up Van Hollen’s April 17 meeting in El Salvador with Abrego Garcia:
“Absolutely, absolutely, we deported gang members — gang members including the one you had a margarita with,” Rubio said.
“That guy is a human trafficker, and that guy is a gangbanger, and the evidence is going to be clear in the days to come.”
Van Hollen reacted strongly:
“He can’t make unsubstantiated comments like that!” he exclaimed as the chairman struck his gavel to restore order.
“Secretary Rubio should take that testimony to the federal court of the United States because he hasn’t done it under oath.”
Rubio insisted that the judicial branch has no authority over foreign policy decisions and asserted he is not obligated to share the details of conversations held with foreign leaders, such as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.
Student Visas Also in the Crosshairs
The debate then shifted to the topic of student visa revocations. Rubio clarified:
“I don’t deport anybody and I don’t snatch anybody. The State Department does not have officers in the streets snatching everybody. What I do is revoke visas. And it’s very simple. A visa is not a right. It is a privilege.”
He added:
“If you tell me that you’re coming to the United States to lead campus crusades to take over libraries and burn down buildings — we’re not going to give you a visa.”
Van Hollen interrupted again:
“Come on, Mr. Secretary. You’re just blowing smoke here now.”
Rubio concluded with a warning:
“There are more coming. We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education.”
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