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The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) stirred up controversy on Monday by releasing a new digital travel ad that taunted Democrats, particularly Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), for his recent meeting with alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador.
“¡Bienvenidos a El Salvador Senate Dems! Democrats should feel free to make their trip to hang out with MS-13 gangbangers one-way,” the NRSC posted along with the unveiling of the ad.
The 40-second advertisement created by the GOP’s Senate campaign arm adopts the style of a typical tourism promotion, featuring serene music and picturesque views of Salvadoran landscapes interspersed with depictions of Van Hollen socializing with Abrego Garcia, undocumented border-crossers, and other Senate Democrats.
“Welcome to El Salvador. Home to breathtaking sunsets, world class surf breaks and gang banger Kilmar Abrego Garcia,” a zen-like narrator says in the ad.

“El Salvador is the destination for Democrats seeking the thrill of bringing violent, criminal, illegal aliens back to America,” the voiceover continues, imploring Democrats to “come witness Trump Derangement Syndrome in its purest form.”
“From Chris Van Hollen and Cory Booker. You may even see John Ossoff. So what are you waiting for, Senate Democrats? Join your colleagues and step into the rhythm of rescue today,” the ad concludes.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) – the House Republican campaign arm – deployed a similar tactic Monday and offered to foot the bill for any Democrat who wants to join Abrego Garcia in El Salvador.
“We just have one condition: Livestream the whole thing. Snap plenty of selfies with your MS-13 buddies – the same violent criminals you’re trying to reimport into American neighborhoods to rape, kill, and terrorize law-abiding citizens,” the NRCC said in a statement.
“If out of touch House Democrats are so desperate to cozy up to violent gang members, the least they can do is let Americans watch the show,” NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement. “We’ll pay for the plane tickets, they just can’t forget to smile for the camera while they sell out their constituents.”

Several Democrats followed Van Hollen’s lead and traveled to El Salvador on Monday to advocate for Abrego Garcia’s return to the US.
The Supreme Court has ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” the Maryland father’s return to the US but noted that it may be outside of the bounds of the judicial system to demand that the government “effectuate” his release from an El Salvador prison.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has refused to release the alleged MS-13 gang member from prison.