Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release terms to be debated in court hearing

The Justice Department and lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man the Trump administration mistakenly deported to El Salvador, will debate the terms of his release from federal custody on Wednesday, as he awaits trial for smuggling charges

The Justice Department and lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man the Trump administration mistakenly deported to El Salvador, will debate the terms of his release from federal custody on Wednesday, as he awaits trial for smuggling charges.

Abrego, 29, a legal permanent resident of the U.S. who lives in Maryland, was deported in March to a high-security prison in the Central American nation, in what the government called an “administrative error.” After months of debate in court, Abrego was brought back to the U.S. earlier this month.

Upon his return, he was federally charged with two felonies: conspiracy to unlawfully transport illegal aliens for financial gain and unlawful transportation of illegal aliens for financial gain. Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

At Wednesday's hearing, which is expected to be brief, Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes will discuss the conditions of release she believes should be imposed on Abrego.

As she explained in her ruling ordering his release on Sunday night, Judge Holmes may restrict Abrego's travel to necessary trips to the Middle District of Tennessee for court appearances and attorney meetings, and within his home state.