Supporters of Kilmar Abrego Garcia rallied as a judge in Maryland heard arguments over whether the Salvadoran native should be returned to the state ahead of his trial on federal human smuggling charges.

Abrego Garcia's attorneys filed an emergency motion last week seeking to have him returned to Maryland as he awaits trial, but government attorneys say they will seek to deport him to a country other than his native El Salvador, where he is prohibited from being sent due to a 2019 court order.

GREENBELT — A crucial hearing for the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia is set to take place on Monday. A judge will hear arguments regarding the effort to return Garcia to Maryland. Find more on the allegations against Kilmar Abrego Garcia here. The hearing follows months of delays of court orders by the government to return and release Garcia.