Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran national mistakenly deported three months ago, has pleaded not guilty to federal human trafficking charges.

A federal grand jury in Nashville indicted Abrego Garcia on May 21 on charges that he was part of a conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants for financial gain.

Jennifer Abrego Garcia, wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, prays with supporters before her husband’s arraignment at Fred Thompson Federal Courthouse in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, June 13, 2025.

“The executive branch’s wanton disregard for the judicial branch has left a stain on the Constitution,” the attorneys wrote.

Prosecutors, who allege he is a member of the gang MS-13, a designated terrorist organization, argued he could flee or intimidate witnesses if released.

“The way this whole thing has been handled has been illegal and racist,” Rebecca Bornac, a resident in Nashville, said.