President Donald Trump promised change when it comes to immigration law, and he’s absolutely delivering. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled 5-3 that immigrants detained for deportation can be held indefinitely without periodic custody or bail hearings.
BREAKING: Supreme Court rules immigrants can be detained indefinitely https://t.co/UYp7E99a7l
— Stacy Washington (@StacyOnTheRight) February 28, 2018
Justice Samuel Alito delivered the opinion for the court, along with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Anthony Kennedy. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch joined most of Alito’s opinion, but argued that they don’t believe the court had jurisdiction to hear the case.
The Court’s ruling follows a Trump Administration appeal of a ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last year that imposed a rule entitling immigrants held in custody to a bond hearing every six months, as long as they aren’t considered a flight risk or a danger to national security. In his opinion, Alito said the authority of the government is clear: “Detention during those proceedings gives immigration officials time to determine an alien’s status without running the risk of the alien’s either absconding or engaging in criminal activity before a final decision can be made.”
Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Sonia Sotomayor opposed the ruling. In his dissent, Breyer argued that the meaning of the word “detain” as it appears in the relevant law really means “to restrain” without confinement.
Alito brutally criticized the argument: “How does the dissent attempt to evade the clear meaning of ‘detain’? It resorts to the legal equivalent of a sleight-of-hand trick.”
The ruling only affects certain immigrants, including lawful permanent residents charged with a crime; those detained at the border seeking entry who might lack valid documentation; or those claiming fear of persecution if they return to their home country.
Thank you Trump for making America great – and safe – again!
Share this if you agree with the Supreme Court’s ruling!
