"Brother Abrego Garcia is a first-year apprentice of Local 100 of [SMART] and has built a family and a life in Maryland, where he was also helping to build our nation's infrastructure," the labor leaders wrote. "Despite these critical contributions, he was detained without due process or opportunity for appeal."

Abrego Garcia, who received legal protection in the U.S. in 2019 after facing gang threats in El Salvador, was detained by ICE agents on March 12 while driving home from work with his son. The U.S. government has since admitted his removal was an "administrative error," but he remains in custody despite a Supreme Court order to facilitate his return.

The case has evolved into a complex diplomatic standoff, with President Trump telling ABC News he "could" have Abrego Garcia returned but claiming "we have lawyers that don't want to do this." This statement contradicted his administration's previous position that they lacked authority to secure the worker's release. In response, a federal judge has demanded that Trump officials document their efforts, if any, to comply with the Supreme Court's order.

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, during an Oval Office meeting, stated he would not release Abrego Garcia, arguing that such an action would be unacceptable. The labor movement's response has been swift and widespread. Thousands of protesters have gathered in demonstrations across the country, with union leaders warning that "if we break due process in this country, we're all doomed." An unprecedented coalition of construction unions and immigrants' rights groups rallied in front of the White House, demanding immediate action from the administration.

"The vilification, dehumanization and erosion of rights and due process for immigrants in the United States is a direct threat to the rights of all working people," the union leaders wrote in their letter to Ambassador Mayorga, requesting an urgent meeting.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler has made Abrego Garcia's case a centerpiece of recent May Day rallies, connecting it to broader concerns about workers' rights and immigration policy. The federation's internal polling suggests this issue has struck a chord with union members, many of whom see it as symptomatic of deteriorating protections for working people regardless of their immigration status.

As pressure mounts, Senator Chris Van Hollen has announced plans to meet with representatives of El Salvador's government and potentially visit Abrego Garcia in person. Meanwhile, labor organizations have pledged to continue their demonstrations until concrete steps are taken to secure his return, viewing this case as a crucial test of both workers' rights and the rule of law in immigration proceedings.

The labor leaders called on both governments to "immediately heed the order from the U.S. Supreme Court" and facilitate Abrego Garcia's return home, emphasizing that anything less would represent a dangerous precedent for worker protections and due process rights.

The political dynamics have also shifted dramatically. In mid-April, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries demanded Abrego Garcia's immediate return, warning he "must be returned immediately before he is killed in one of the most dangerous prisons in the world." However, as Democratic senators began making high-profile trips to El Salvador, Jeffries has notably distanced himself from these efforts, urging Democrats to pause travel to El Salvador as the case threatens to fracture the party. His reversal highlights growing concerns among Democratic leadership about the political dimensions of the case.