Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen returned to the U.S. from El Salvador Friday morning after spending the last two days in the country advocating for the release of mistakenly deported man Kilmar Abrego Garcia.Van Hollen said his main goal while in El Salvador was to meet with Abrego Garcia face-to-face. On Thursday night, Van Hollen confirmed the opportunity finally came, posting a photo of the meeting and promising a "full update" upon his return to the U.S.Van Hollen's trip has become a partisan flashpoint, as Democrats have seized on the case as a consequence of the Trump administration's disregard for judges' orders attempting to stop deportations without giving people a chance to argue their case in court. Republicans have countered, saying the deportations are part of a larger effort to reduce crime.El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, posted more photos of the visit on social media, claiming Abrego Garcia is "confirmed healthy" but still "gets the honor" of staying in El Salvador's custody.There is still plenty that is unclear from the visit, including how the meeting happened, where Van Hollen and Abrego Garcia met, or what happens next.Van Hollen's visit to El Salvador has been noticeably different from his political counterparts. He was reportedly denied entry to the prison where Abrego Garcia is being held and was stopped by soldiers at a checkpoint a couple of miles away from the prison. Other cars, Van Hollen said, were allowed to go on. The experience appears to be different for many Republicans who have visited the country recently, including House members and Trump administration officials who have shared their visits to the prison. Some have posted selfies and voiced support for the administration's deportation efforts.Meanwhile, a federal appeals court has denied the Trump administration's appeal to turn over sworn testimony, determining whether they complied with an order to facilitate Abrego Garcia's release and return. While issuing the order, the federal appeals court said the administration's claim that it couldn't do anything to free Abrego Garcia "should be shocking."More Democrats say they plan to travel to El Salvador to argue for Abrego Garcia's release.