Senate Democrats propose sanctions on El Salvador over alleged Trump-era collusion and human rights abuses.

Senate Democrats introduced new legislation on Thursday aimed at punishing El Salvador’s government for what they describe as human rights abuses and unlawful cooperation with the Trump administration. The bill follows renewed controversy surrounding the detention and transfer of individuals from the United States to El Salvador without due process.

Senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Alex Padilla of California unveiled the El Salvador Accountability Act of 2025, which would impose sanctions on Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and other officials accused of human rights violations. The bill specifically calls for property-blocking and visa restrictions and seeks to cut off U.S. financial assistance to the Salvadoran government.

The legislation is a direct response to the Trump administration’s move to deport over 200 alleged gang members to El Salvador’s CECOT prison—an ultra-secure facility that houses some of the country’s most violent offenders. Among the deportees was Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal alien and alleged MS-13 gang member facing human trafficking charges in the U.S., who was sent to El Salvador in March and later returned to face trial on June 6.

Democratic Criticism of Collusion Allegations

Van Hollen, who traveled to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia and press for his return, defended the legislation as a matter of upholding constitutional rights. “This is not about the man, it’s about his constitutional rights—and the rights of all,” he said. He accused the Salvadoran government of “colluding with the Trump Administration” to imprison individuals without due process, using American taxpayer funds to do so.

Padilla echoed those concerns, stating that the legislation is necessary to pressure El Salvador into respecting civil liberties and international law. “We must hold Bukele and all responsible parties accountable for the suspension of constitutional rights and continued collusion with the Trump Administration,” Padilla said.

Padilla was reportedly detained by authorities on Thursday after attempting to disrupt a press event by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles, further escalating tensions over the issue.

Administration Pushback

The Biden administration responded critically to the proposed legislation. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin questioned the motives behind the bill, suggesting it was an excuse for Van Hollen to make another taxpayer-funded trip to El Salvador.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson also weighed in, accusing Van Hollen of prioritizing criminal illegal aliens over American citizens. “His taxpayer-funded vacation to El Salvador to sip margaritas with a terrorist, human-trafficker, and wife-beater wasn’t enough,” Jackson stated, defending CECOT’s role in housing “violent criminal illegal aliens who threaten the safety and security of everyone.”

The proposal has drawn sharp partisan lines, with Democrats emphasizing constitutional rights and human dignity, while the administration and Republican allies argue for the necessity of strong immigration enforcement and public safety.

The bill’s future remains uncertain as debate intensifies over whether foreign governments should be sanctioned for cooperating with U.S. immigration policy. If passed, the act would signal a significant policy shift in how the United States conditions its foreign aid based on internal and external human rights concerns.