A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that federal judges cannot order the release of undocumented immigrants held under a Trump-era policy. The decision, issued Tuesday, upheld the administration's authority to detain migrants caught near the southern border without individual bond hearings.
The case centered on a class-action lawsuit filed by immigrants' rights groups challenging the constitutionality of prolonged detention. The court found that the policy does not violate due process, rejecting arguments that detainees should be entitled to periodic review of their custody status.
Legal experts say the ruling effectively limits judicial oversight of immigration detention practices. The decision applies to thousands of migrants currently held in federal custody across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, where the Fifth Circuit has jurisdiction.
The ruling is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court. Advocates have vowed to challenge the decision, while the administration welcomed the outcome as a victory for public safety. The case highlights ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and civil liberties protections.
The court's decision affirms broad executive discretion in immigration matters, setting precedent for future cases involving 38,000 detained migrants.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing