Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a construction worker from Maryland, has pleaded not guilty to charges of human smuggling in a Tennessee federal court. His lawyers argue that these charges are an attempt to justify his wrongful deportation to El Salvador in March. The case started after the Supreme Court ordered him to return, following increasing pressure. Abrego Garcia's defense team questioned the reliability of government witnesses, suggesting they cooperated in exchange for immigration benefits. The charges come from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee where Abrego Garcia was driving nine passengers, which made authorities suspect smuggling. Despite these suspicions, he was allowed to leave with only a warning. Before the hearing, U.S. attorneys described Abrego Garcia as a danger to the community and a flight risk, accusing him of selling drugs and weapons, and abusing women he transported. These charges led to the resignation of Ben Schrader, who was a high-ranking lawyer in Tennessee.