Former Iranian detainee Xiyue Wang has called out Senator Cory Booker for what he describes as selective advocacy, highlighting the senator’s current push to return a deported Salvadoran while allegedly ignoring Wang’s own captivity in Iran.
At a Glance
- Xiyue Wang, a former American hostage in Iran, accuses Senator Cory Booker of failing to adequately advocate for his release while actively working to return a deported Salvadoran man
- Democrats, including Booker, are organizing a congressional delegation to El Salvador to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported during the Trump administration
- The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that Garcia should be returned to the US, though questions remain about his alleged MS-13 gang affiliations
- Wang claims Booker “never advocated for my release & refused to speak to my wife” despite Wang being Booker’s constituent when imprisoned in Iran
A Tale of Two Advocacy Efforts
Senator Cory Booker faces serious accusations of selective advocacy from Xiyue Wang, a Princeton graduate student who spent over three years imprisoned in Iran on unsubstantiated espionage charges. Wang, who was Booker’s constituent during his imprisonment, claims the senator failed to meaningfully advocate for his release while now leading efforts to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deported Salvadoran, to the United States. This stark contrast has sparked debate about political priorities and consistency in humanitarian advocacy among elected officials.
The controversy centers on Booker’s current involvement in organizing a Democratic congressional delegation to El Salvador to facilitate Garcia’s return following a Supreme Court ruling that the Trump administration must facilitate his reentry. Representatives Robert Garcia and Maxwell Frost have formally requested House Oversight Committee chair James Comer to authorize an official delegation, which would provide security resources and oversight powers for their mission. Meanwhile, Senator Chris Van Hollen announced he would personally travel to El Salvador to address the situation.
Wang’s Experience as an American Hostage
Wang’s criticism stems from his personal experience as an American held hostage in Iran from 2016 to 2019. He was conducting academic research when Iranian authorities arrested him on spurious spying allegations. Princeton University defended Wang, clarifying that he was engaged in scholarly research, not political or social activism. After enduring over three years in Iranian custody, Wang was finally released in December 2019 as part of a prisoner exchange.
“I was an NJ resident, Sen. @CoryBooker’s constituent, when I was jailed in Iran as an American hostage,” – Xiyue Wang
Wang acknowledged that Booker made some efforts during his captivity but argues they paled in comparison to actions taken by other members of Congress, including Representatives Chris Smith and Pramila Jayapal. The former hostage specifically noted that Booker “never advocated for my release & refused to speak to my wife” during his imprisonment, creating what Wang characterizes as a stark contrast to the senator’s current public advocacy for Garcia.
The Garcia Case and Democratic Response
The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has become a focal point for Democrats challenging the previous administration’s deportation policies. Garcia was deported to El Salvador in 2017, allegedly due to a clerical error. Critics of his deportation point out that despite claims of MS-13 gang affiliation, Garcia was never criminally charged in the United States. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Garcia should be returned to America, though the Trump administration maintained that such action was beyond their power to implement.
“The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the Trump administration must facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia,” – Cory Booker.
Senator Booker has been vocal in his criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of Garcia’s case, emphasizing due process rights and the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision. However, legal analysts note that while the Court ruled Garcia should be returned, it did not explicitly order his return, and district courts generally cannot compel the executive branch on matters of foreign policy. The planned delegation to El Salvador represents an escalation in Democrats’ efforts to resolve the situation.
Questions of Political Priorities
Wang’s accusations have amplified existing criticism about the priorities of certain lawmakers. Critics question why some members of Congress appear more energetic in advocating for non-citizens than for American citizens facing troubles abroad. The controversy touches on broader debates about immigration policy, diplomatic responsibilities, and the obligations elected officials have to their constituents versus broader humanitarian concerns on the international stage.
“Booker never advocated for my release & refused to speak to my wife.” – Xiyue Wang.
Senator Booker has not directly responded to Wang’s specific allegations of selective advocacy. As the congressional delegation to El Salvador moves forward, the contrasting approaches to these two cases continue to raise questions about consistency in advocacy efforts by elected officials and the factors that influence which causes receive public support. The outcome of the delegation’s efforts remains uncertain, particularly as El Salvador’s president has expressed reluctance to participate in returning Garcia to the United States.
