NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The man whose illegal deportation to a supermax prison in another country has sparked nationwide conversations will make another appearance in federal court in downtown Nashville Wednesday.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, had been deported to a prison in El Salvador in March and was brought back to the U.S. to face charges of human smuggling. Among other charges, he’s accused of conspiring to bring undocumented migrants to the U.S. from around 2016 to 2025.

On June 13, a federal judge heard arguments in a federal detention hearing, but had opted to take the case “under advisement.” Sunday’s ruling from U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes denied the U.S.’ motion to detain Abrego. The filing added that a hearing will be set by a separate order to review and provide for his conditions of release — however, as of publication, he’s expected to remain in custody because of a detainer with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Abrego’s charges stem from a traffic stop by the Tennessee Highway Patrol in Putnam County in 2022. Body camera video shows officers discussing among themselves their suspicions of human smuggling before letting him go free. Abrego was not charged with any offense at the traffic stop before he was deported in March and returned on June 6.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Garcia's hearing is set to begin at 2 p.m. News 2 has crews at the courthouse and will update this story as the hearing unfolds.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/kilmar-abrego-garcia-federal-hearing-nashville/