A narrowly divided Supreme Court said Tuesday that federal authorities have broad authority to detain — without a bond hearing — legal immigrants who have committed certain crimes that make them eligible for deportation. Federal law mandates detention for certain aliens while awaiting deportation proceedings, he said. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit said that meant immediately upon release from custody. He was convicted in 2006 of marijuana possession but was not picked up by federal authorities after he was sentenced to time served. American Civil Liberties Union Deputy Legal Director Cecillia Wang, who argued the case at the Supreme Court, said the case was reminiscent of a case last term in which the court limited the ability of immigrants to object to their detention.

Source: Washington Post March 19, 2019 16:41 UTC