House Dems spent more than $7K in campaign funds on El Salvador trips for Kilmar Abrego Garcia — despite some claiming they paid ‘out of their own pocket’
Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — This spring, House Democrats spent over $7,000 in campaign funds on airfare to El Salvador and a reservation at an upscale Hilton hotel, although some stated publicly that their trips to see alleged foreign gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia were personally funded.

Reps. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), and Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) landed in San Salvador on April 21 with the intent to “pressure the Trump Administration” to release Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member, as per a collaborative statement.

Garcia’s congressional campaign recorded an expenditure of $1,981.99 on April 17 with Taca International Airlines, a Salvadoran airline, and an additional $501.53 for “event space rental” at the Hilton San Salvador on April 29, as documented in Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.

Frost’s campaign shelled out $1,362.49 for travel on Avianca, a Latin American airline that bears El Salvador’s flag, and $967.43 for travel on Volaris, a low-cost Mexican airline — both of which were recorded May 8, a week or so after their trip.

Ansari’s campaign reported the highest total spending on travel with $2,616.45 forked over to Avianca Airlines in four separate tranches between April 17 and 21. Dexter’s campaign paid $1,315.44 for travel on Taca Airlines April 18.

None of the lawmakers listed any lodging expenses in El Salvador, according to a Post review of the FEC filings, and all except for Garcia claimed they personally footed the bill for the travel costs.

“The congresswoman paid for her own flights and hotel with her own money, and the campaign paid for a campaign volunteer with campaign funds,” noted an Ansari rep, clarifying that no Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA) funds were used.

Ansari’s office previously told a Phoenix-based NBC affiliate that the congresswoman “paid for the trip out of her own pocket.”

A Garcia spokesperson previously confirmed to The Post that the congressman “paid for the trip through his personal campaign funds.”

A rep for Dexter had said in April their member self-funded the flight.

Frost’s reps told Politico no MRA funds, which are provided by US taxpayers, were used.

Travel expenses exceeding $1,000 are considered in-kind contributions to campaigns when recorded by a candidate, campaign staffer or volunteer, according to the FEC.

Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) made a separate visit to El Salvador to try to meet with Abrego Garcia, a former Maryland resident who resided in his district, but only spent $291.25 in campaign funds for the jaunt.

“Congressman Ivey did not use MRA or taxpayer funds for his trip to El Salvador. In accordance with House Administration and FEC guidelines, his principal campaign committee covered the travel costs associated with fulfilling his official Congressional oversight responsibilities,” said Ivey’s communications director Ramón Korionoff in a statement.

“All expenses were properly reported to the FEC in full compliance with federal disclosure requirements. Congressman Ivey believes it’s essential to understand the real-world impact of U.S. immigration and security policies firsthand, and he remains committed to conducting his work with transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.”

Notably, a review of filings for Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) — the only Democrat to be granted a meeting with Abrego Garcia in what he later claimed was a staged photo-op by Salvadoran officials for the purpose of embarrassing him — do not show any campaign spending for similar travel or lodging in mid-April.

The main campaign arm for Senate Republicans later mocked the political trips by offering “one-way” tickets for more Dems to visit El Salvador.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) reportedly dissuaded the Dems from taking the trip — despite praising Dexter in a subsequent political livestream as well as Van Hollen, whose “great leadership” the Brooklynite celebrated for having made the first visit to CECOT.

Asked in an April 29 press conference whether he agreed with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) that it was a “mistake rallying around” Abrego Garcia, Jeffries deflected the question.

CECOT, the notorious Salvadoran megaprison, took in 260 suspected gang members that the Trump administration deported on March 15, including Abrego Garcia who had entered the US illegally in 2011.

Maryland police arrested him along with some MS-13 members at a Home Depot parking lot in March 2019. Abrego Garcia was sporting a Chicago Bulls hat and hoodie that “represents they are a member in good standing” of the gang, a confidential informant told authorities.

The informant, in a report filed with the Prince George’s County Police Department, said Abrego Garcia was an “active member” of MS-13, held the low rank of “Chequeo” and went by the street name “Chele.”

Later in 2019, an immigration judge granted Abrego Garcia a “withholding of removal” order preventing his immediate deportation to El Salvador and allowing for removal to other nations — but he was released without the first Trump administration appealing the decision.

Garcia was later moved from CECOT to a lower-security facility elsewhere in El Salvador.

In June, the Trump administration facilitated the alleged gangbanger’s return to the US — where he was hit with human trafficking charges.

Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, and defense attorneys have denied Abrego Garcia’s purported MS-13 affiliation.

Reps for Garcia, Frost and Dexter didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Rifle behind Charlie Kirk’s killing may be untraceable relic from WWI

Charlie Kirk Assassination Suspect Stays in Special Housing Unit After Mental Evaluation

On September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University, Charlie Kirk engaged with…
Chicago Public Schools custodian Elton Odell, Jr. says teacher assistant attacked him at John M. Smyth School on Near West Side

Elton Odell, Jr., a custodian at Chicago Public Schools, claims he was assaulted by a teacher’s assistant at John M. Smyth School on the Near West Side.

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago school custodian reported being assaulted while on…
Trump admin reports 2 million illegal aliens 'removed or self-deported' from US in first 8 months

Trump Administration Reports 2 Million Illegal Immigrants Removed or Voluntarily Departed in First 8 Months

Two million individuals without legal immigration status “have been removed or have…
Trump's Rose Garden Club is a lavish new hangout for political allies and business elites

Trump’s Rose Garden Club: A Luxurious Gathering Spot for Political Allies and Business Leaders

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington’s trendiest venue has everything — Cabinet secretaries, a…
Tropical Storm Humberto forms in the Atlantic as Hurricane Gabrielle takes aim at the Azores

Tropical Storm Humberto Develops in the Atlantic While Hurricane Gabrielle Targets the Azores

Tropical Storm Humberto emerged in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday while Hurricane…
Pope Leo XIV names James Checchio as successor for embattled New Orleans archbishop Gregory M. Aymond after sex abuse settlement

Pope Leo XIV Appoints James Checchio to Replace New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond Following Abuse Settlement

Pope Leo XIV announced a replacement for the troubled New Orleans Archbishop…
Family sues over deadliest US plane crash since 2001

Family Takes Legal Action Following Most Lethal U.S. Plane Crash Since 2001

Other families will join the lawsuit later. WASHINGTON — A lawsuit has…
US Justice Department official ordered to drop inquiry into Sandy Hook lawsuit against Alex Jones

U.S. Justice Department Official Instructed to Halt Investigation into Sandy Hook Case against Alex Jones

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has instructed a senior U.S. Justice Department…
Camp Mystic makes controversial decision about future of Texas camp where 27 died in flooding

Controversial Decision Made by Camp Mystic Regarding Future of Texas Camp Site After Tragic Flooding Incident

Camp Mystic, a long-established private Christian summer camp for girls, plans to…
Who was Joshua Jahn, shooter in deadly Dallas ICE facility attack?

Shooter’s Ammunition in Deadly Dallas ICE Facility Attack Contained Anti-ICE Messages, Reports FBI

Fox News correspondent Brooke Taylor delivers an update on a shooting outside…
Who was Joshua Jahn, shooter in deadly Dallas ICE facility attack?

Unveiling Joshua Jahn: Gunman Behind Deadly Dallas ICE Facility Incident

Sources familiar with the investigation into the Dallas immigration facility shooting identified…
RECAP: 'Golden Bachelor' Mel Owens begins his journey to find love, apologizes for podcast remarks about age, appearances

RECAP: ‘Golden Bachelor’ Mel Owens embarks on his quest for love, issues apology over podcast comments on age and looks

NEW YORK — The long-awaited premiere of the “Golden Bachelor” is here…