The Senate on Thursday rejected a resolution proposed by Democrats that aimed to require the Trump administration to inform Congress about its compliance with court orders regarding U.S. deportees imprisoned in El Salvador, as well as to report on the country's human rights record.
The measure failed with a party-line vote of 45-50, with all Republicans opposing it.
Supporters of the resolution argued that it was designed to ascertain whether U.S. security assistance was being used to support the detention of U.S. residents in a country potentially violating human rights. They viewed the resolution as a significant rebuke of President Trump and a challenge to his aggressive deportation policies, which they consider an unlawful overreach.
Despite the measure's slim chances of success in the Republican-controlled Senate, the Democratic minority insisted on a vote as part of their strategy to resist the president's policies and compel Republicans to address contentious political issues. This tactic has previously been employed by Democrats to force votes on several of President Trump’s announced tariffs.
Concerns have been rising among Democrats regarding a deal struck by President Trump to pay the El Salvadoran government millions of dollars to detain a group of Venezuelan and Salvadoran migrants, whom the administration alleges are part of transnational criminal gangs.
Frustrations intensified when President Trump and senior officials stated they would not repatriate Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite a court order prohibiting his return.
A coalition of Democratic senators advocated for legislative action after the administration disregarded both Supreme Court and lower court rulings that mandated the U.S. government facilitate Mr. Abrego Garcia’s return. This situation was compounded by President Trump’s repeated comments about sending U.S. citizens who commit violent crimes to prisons in El Salvador.
The resolution was introduced by Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia and was co-sponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Alex Padilla of California, with support from Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader.
“The courts have spoken, and now the Senate needs to ensure that the Trump administration is listening. Senate Democrats will not rest until we have answers,” Senator Schumer stated prior to the vote.
Republicans characterized the measure as a misguided defense of criminal migrants. “Senate Democrats are voting once again to defend illegal immigrant criminals — they seem to like to do that. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true,” said Senator John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming, before the vote.
The Foreign Assistance Act permits Congress to request a human rights report from the State Department regarding any nation receiving U.S. assistance, to assess whether American funding may be supporting a country that violates human rights.