Most accusations came from co-conspirators and other witnesses. The defense argues they stand to gain in their ongoing immigration or criminal cases.

The judge did not rule immediately on whether he will stay in custody while he awaits trial, the latest event in a monthslong back-and-forth since he was erroneously sent to a prison in El Salvador.

By Luc Cohen NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) -Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the migrant returned to the U.S. last week after being wrongfully deported to his native El Salvador, pleaded not guilty on Friday to criminal charges of taking part in a conspiracy to smuggle migrants into the United States.