Kilmar Abrego Garcia could be released from custody Wednesday [View all]

Source: The Hill

07/16/25 10:03 AM ET


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A federal judge could decide to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia from jail Wednesday to await trial on human smuggling charges.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, was deported to a prison in El Salvador in March and was brought back to the U.S. to face charges of human smuggling following a Tennessee traffic stop. He’s accused of conspiring to bring undocumented migrants to the U.S. from around 2016 to 2025.

The 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 Abrego Garcia go free. He was not charged with any offense at the traffic stop before he was deported in March and returned on June 6.

On Wednesday, prosecutors are expected to have a homeland security agent provide testimony about the traffic stop. The judge is expected to then rule on whether Abrego Garcia should be released while he awaits trial. Immigration officials have said they would immediately detain him and begin deportation proceedings.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5403693-kilmar-abrego-garcia-could-be-released-from-custody-wednesday/