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.

“Kilmar shares that he feels God’s presence with him as only God knows the darkness he has faced in these past three months,” she said through a translator.