Garcia Case Sparks Protests and Legal Fallout

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador after a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee, has pleaded not guilty in a Nashville federal court to conspiracy and unlawful transportation of undocumented immigrants. Government prosecutors allege that Garcia earned up to $100,000 annually through a human smuggling operation, transporting undocumented migrants, including minors. His defense contends the case relies on unreliable witnesses with personal interests and that the charges are politically motivated. The case has become a national flashpoint, prompting protests over due process violations and calls for accountability from the Trump administration, which delayed his return despite court orders. Legal proceedings now include demands for sanctions against federal officials accused of defying court orders and mishandling Garcia's deportation. Garcia remains in custody as the courts assess his flight risk and both criminal and civil cases proceed.