NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran national illegally deported by the Trump administration in March, pleaded not guilty Friday to human trafficking charges that federal prosecutors leveled upon his return to the United States.
Legal Defense and Not Guilty Plea
One of Abrego Garcia’s defense attorneys, William Allensworth, entered the not guilty plea on his client’s behalf at a federal court hearing expected to focus on whether Abrego Garcia should be detained pending trial on the two felony criminal charges he faces related to immigrant smuggling.
Courtroom Scene and Abrego Garcia’s Return
The not guilty plea came just after Abrego Garcia briefly spoke in court, saying in Spanish that he understood the charges against him. Abrego Garcia, wearing a red jail jumpsuit, entered the courtroom minutes before the hearing began. He got a hug from one of his attorneys, who sat flanking him at the defense table. Two Spanish interpreters were also on hand.
Legal Proceedings and Immigration Status
The criminal case against Abrego Garcia, lodged secretly through a grand jury indictment last month, preceded Abrego Garcia’s abrupt return to the United States last week. That was more than two months after the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his release from El Salvador’s custody.
While prosecutors and the defense are expected to joust fiercely Friday about whether Abrego Garcia should be detained as he awaits trial, he’s unlikely to be released immediately even if U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes rules in his favor.
Witness Testimony and Immigrant Smuggling Charges
The first witness at the detention hearing Friday was Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Peter Joseph, who detailed a traffic stop of Abrego Garcia on Interstate 40 in 2022 that is the centerpiece of the immigrant-smuggling charges he faces.
Despite the court order barring his deportation to El Salvador, he was abruptly arrested on March 15 and loaded aboard one of a controversial trio of flights that ferried more than 230 foreigners from the U.S. to El Salvador.
Protesters and Legal Support
About 100 protesters rallied outside the courthouse as the hearing got underway, carrying signs with slogans such as “Free Kilmar: Support Due Process and Human Rights” and “Resist ICE.”
