Dear Senator Van Hollen

Here’s a letter I just wrote and sent to the Senator after watching his news conference upon his return from El Salvador. Unfortunately, within minutes I received the disappointing news that since I’m not one of his Md. constituents, he’s too busy to read it. Since the sentiments might resonate with some of my readers, I thought I’d send it as my April blog. Besides, right now I can’t really concentrate on much else!

Dear Senator Van Hollen,

I just watched your news conference upon your return from El Salvador and wanted to reach out to offer my gratitude for your courageous journey to that country for the critical purpose of visiting your illegally detained constituent, Kilmar Abrego García. The humanity you exhibited to his wife and family (and of course to Kilmar most importantly) cannot be underestimated in terms of comforting their extreme anxiety, grief, and fear. The heroism you displayed in taking the risks of entering the country, the territory of CECOT, and putting your own personal safety aside for a larger purpose, is the stuff of heroes––and our country desperately needs to know that there are still some heroes in our midst at this precarious, macabre moment. The honor you displayed in moving forward with your campaign to meet with Mr. García, and now to assure his return to his family in Maryland, gives the rest of us hope that good people and trustworthy honest politicians are still in our midst; it cannot be underestimated how critical such reassurance is to the body politic as we stand shocked and terrified that the U.S.A. that we call home is on the precipice of plummeting into an autocracy with evil intentions. 

I hope you have an opportunity at some point to read this message of gratitude and awe.

Stephanie Shafran

Citizen of U.S.A.