As emotions continue to run high following the tragic death of Rachel Morin, her mother, Patty Morin, has voiced strong disapproval over Senator Chris Van Hollen’s recent trip to El Salvador. The Democratic senator from Maryland traveled there to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an undocumented immigrant who had been deported and is believed by some to have ties to the MS-13 gang. Meanwhile, Patty Morin says she has yet to receive any form of communication from the senator, despite her daughter having been brutally murdered by an illegal immigrant more than a year ago.
During a recent appearance on a news program, Patty Morin openly criticized Van Hollen’s actions, expressing deep frustration that a U.S. lawmaker would prioritize visiting someone she referred to as a criminal over showing compassion to victims and their families. She described the senator’s behavior as reflective of his character, emphasizing that actions speak louder than words. To her, Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador symbolized a glaring misalignment of priorities—advocating for someone who entered the country illegally rather than standing up for citizens affected by violent crimes committed by undocumented individuals.
Despite the time that has passed since her daughter’s death, Patty Morin says there has been no outreach from Van Hollen. Though she indicated she would be open to speaking with him, she expressed skepticism about the authenticity of any such gesture. She suspects that if he were to reach out now, it would be more of a political maneuver than a sincere attempt at connection or accountability. For Morin, the absence of communication feels like a painful oversight from someone elected to represent her and her community.
In response to ongoing public attention surrounding the case, Senator Van Hollen issued a statement acknowledging the conviction of Rachel Morin’s killer and expressed gratitude to law enforcement and the justice system. He reiterated his commitment to immigration reform, public safety, and supporting lawful immigrant communities. However, the timing of his El Salvador trip and his visit with Garcia, who was deported to a high-security prison and has been linked to gang activity, has left many questioning his priorities. Notably, legal rulings have determined that Garcia should be returned to the United States to undergo proper deportation proceedings, with his initial removal deemed an administrative error.
Garcia’s past has also drawn scrutiny, especially after revelations about a previous civil protective order filed against him by his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura. She later clarified that the order stemmed from precautionary concerns following a dispute and that the matter was resolved privately. Still, for Patty Morin, the optics of the situation are deeply troubling. She argues that taxpayer dollars should not be spent on trips that appear to support individuals who have violated immigration laws, especially when families like hers continue to grieve without acknowledgment from those in power. As of now, Van Hollen’s office has not publicly addressed questions about whether he plans to reach out to Morin or who covered the cost of his international travel.
