The development came after a Justice Department attorney told a Judge Xinis that the government's "plan at this stage" is to deport Abrego Garcia to a third country if he is released on bond by a judge in Tennessee, where he is facing human smuggling charges.

The Trump administration plans to deport Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia to a third country before he can face trial in Tennessee if he is released from criminal custody, a Justice Department attorney said Monday.

A federal judge on Monday scrutinized the Trump administration’s plan for Kilmar Abrego Garcia if he’s released from criminal custody as soon as next week, ordering the government to produce a witness to answer more questions.