Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose mistaken deportation to El Salvador became a political flashpoint for the Trump administration, made his first appearance in court Friday evening after he was returned to the United States to face criminal charges related to what the Trump administration said was a large human smuggling operation that brought immigrants into the country illegally.

Federal Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes in Nashville, Tennessee, determined that Abrego Garcia will be held in custody until at least next Friday, when there will be an arraignment and detention hearing.

Abrego Garcia appeared in court wearing a short-sleeved, white, button-down shirt. When asked if he understood the charges, he told the judge: “Sí. Lo entiendo.” An interpreter then said: “Yes. I understand.”

“This

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