U.S. District Judge Barbara Holmes declined to rule on whether Abrego Garcia should be detained while awaiting trial and said she would issue a written decision "sooner rather than later."

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.