Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly deported to El Salvador during the Trump administration, was returned to the U.S. on Friday to face federal charges related to a human smuggling operation.

His deportation had sparked a legal and political standoff after officials admitted it was an error but resisted court orders to bring him back.

U.S. authorities presented an arrest warrant to El Salvador’s president, leading to Abrego Garcia’s return for prosecution in Tennessee.

While officials claim he played a key role in smuggling immigrants, his lawyers call the case baseless.

He will remain in custody until a hearing next week, the Associated Press has reported.

The case also led to the resignation of a top federal prosecutor.

Written by B.C. Begley