AILA Public Statements, Press Releases

SCOTUS Jennings Decision Won’t Be the Last Word on Bond Hearings for Immigrants

2/27/18 AILA Doc. No. 18022741. Detention & Bond, Removal & Relief
CONTACTS:
George Tzamaras
202-507-7649
gtzamaras@aila.org
Belle Woods
202-507-7675
bwoods@aila.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) reacted to today's Supreme Court decision in Jennings v. Rodriguez, remanding the case back to the lower court to determine whether prolonged detention is unconstitutional.

AILA President Annaluisa Padilla noted, "The Court's ruling that the Ninth Circuit misapplied the canon of constitutional avoidance in holding that detained aliens have the right to periodic bond hearings is disappointing, but it is limited to just that. Today's decision does not mean that immigrants may be detained indefinitely and it does not mean that prolonged detention is constitutional. In a time when the Trump administration is expanding detention of those seeking protection under our laws and ramping up enforcement to the detriment of families, communities, and our national values, it behooves us to understand what this decision means. Let's be clear: Constitutional review of individual detention decisions remains alive."

Jeremy McKinney, AILA National Secretary added, "This is a narrow decision by five members of the Court, who concluded that the Ninth Circuit misapplied a doctrine of constitutional law to conclude that the detention provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act include an automatic right to a bond hearing after six months of detention, and periodic review thereafter. The decision was made over the strong dissent of three members of the Court, while one recused herself and did not weigh in. Still in place are the decisions of several Circuit Courts, including Reid v. Donelan, Sopo v. AG, and Chavez-Alvarez v. Warden York County Prison, where detention was found to be constitutionally suspect in individual cases. Notwithstanding today's decision, the battle against prolonged detention without a hearing wages on."

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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.