Weekly Newsletter, 4.21.25
With all the chaos of this Administration, I know you all have lots of questions and concerns about the state of our country and where we’re headed. Last week, I joined 12 On Your Side to answer viewer questions and discuss everything from the Trump Administration’s irresponsible tariffs to Republican cuts to essential services like Medicaid and the troubling case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Read on for what you may have missed last week.
THE HORRIFIC CASE OF KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA
At the age of 16, Kilmar Abrego Garcia fled El Salvador for the United States after a criminal gang tried to extort his mother’s business, threatened to force his older brother to join the gang before threatening to kill him, then turned their attention to Mr. Abrego Garcia. Granted legal status by a judge eight years later due to the gang violence he faced if he returned to El Salvador, he started a family in Maryland and began working as a union apprentice construction job. He complied with requirements to check in with ICE annually.
On March 12th, Mr. Abrego Garcia left work, picked his 5 year old special needs son, and headed home when he was stopped by a Department of Homeland Security Agent who told him his immigration “status had changed,” sat him on a curb in handcuffs until his wife came to pick up their son. He was transferred to facilities in Maryland, Louisiana and Texas, then flown as part of “three planeloads” of Salvadoran and Venezuelan deportees to the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador (CECOT).
Mr. Abrego Garcia never received a hearing. He has never been found by any agency or court to have gang ties. He has never been charged with or convicted of a crime.
The Trump Administration admitted in court proceedings that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was an “administrative error.”
In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a court order requiring the Trump Administration to facilitate Mr. Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States. Eleven days later, they still have not done so. Instead, President Trump hosted the President of El Salvador in the Oval Office, where he defiantly said he would not return Mr. Abrego Garcia. Subsequently, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a scathing opinion denying the Trump Administration’s effort to avoid the court’s order, stating:
"The government is asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process that is the foundation of our constitutional order. Further, it claims in essence that because it has rid itself of custody that there is nothing that can be done.
"This should be shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear."
I wholeheartedly agree.
Democratic Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to demand to see his constituent — and answers. Likewise, I joined Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD-04) and other Democratic colleagues to demand answers from this Administration and for Mr. Abregio Garcia’s immediate return. I also signed a letter to Secretary Rubio asking him to provide a detailed and comprehensive response to a list of questions regarding the illegality and conditions of CECOT as the Trump Administration disappears people there. Congress, and the American people deserve some answers.
I also shared my thoughts on this case with Zerlina Maxwell on Mornings with Zerlina.
Due process is an essential American value enshrined in the Constitution that applies to everyone in the United States. On January 20th, President Trump swore that he would preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, yet his actions seek to shred it to pieces, even as his Administration considers doing to U.S. citizens what they did to Mr. Abrego Garcia. I will continue to monitor and take action against these horrifying actions.
BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK
Ten years ago next week, I nearly died giving birth to my daughter when my placenta ruptured. My experience was a stark reminder that Black mothers are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white mothers, and 80 percent of those deaths are preventable.
As we celebrated Black Maternal Health Week April 11-17th, I joined Birth in Color’s Black Maternal Health Summit, the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation’s Virginia Reproductive & Maternal Health Summit, and Mornings with Zerlina to discuss what I have done as a state legislator and in Congress to end this disparity and the maternal health crisis. Key policies implemented at the state and national level include expanding Medicaid coverage for pregnant women from six weeks postpartum to a full year, and securing funding for home visiting programs for pregnant and postpartum care.
Now, all of that work is at risk under the Trump Administration’s war on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Elon Musk, DOGE, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s efforts to eradicate the public health workforce and programs, and Congressional Republicans’ plans to gut Medicaid.
I will continue my efforts to eradicate the maternal health crisis and close disparities facing Black mothers in particular as I fight the efforts by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans to undermine that work.
MY BRIGHT SPOT: VA-04 YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL GRADUATION
My interest in government grew out of a love of history when I was eleven years old. Yet, beyond one week in Washington, D.C. with the Close Up Foundation, I did not gain in-depth exposure to government or government officials until college. As a result, I have always found time as an elected official to give students opportunities to learn more about government and how it impacts their lives.
This year, I launched a Fourth District Youth Advisory Council to provide high school students in the district an opportunity to engage with me, my staff and current events through monthly meetings. This semester’s program culminated in a graduation ceremony where I got to answer their questions and get their input on my work.
The members of my Youth Advisory Council inspire me as much as I hope I inspire them!
Reminders
Tomorrow and Wednesday, I will participate in two in-person town halls in the district where constituents can ask questions about my work and what’s happening in Washington:
Rep. McClellan Town Hall with Brunswick County — RSVP
Tuesday, April 22 · 6:30 - 7:30pm EDT
Brunswick County Conference Center
100 Athletic Field Road Room 205 B, Lawrenceville, VA 23868
Rep. McClellan Town Hall with Henrico NAACP – RSVP
Wednesday, April 23 · 6 - 7pm EDT. Doors at 5:15pm
Mosby Memorial Baptist Church
2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223
Also, final call for all VA-04 young artists! Tomorrow, April 22, is the deadline for high school students in my district to compete in the Congressional Art Competition. For more information, visit my website.