A U.S.federal appeals court ruled in a 2-1 decision that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cannot detain migrants for more than 90 days without providing them an opportunity for a bond hearing while their deportation cases are pending.The ruling by the Fifth U.S.Circuit Court of Appeals applies to states within its jurisdiction, including Texas and Louisiana, and could affect thousands of detained immigrants.The majority opinion, written by Judge Leslie Southwick, emphasized that constitutional due process protections apply to all individuals within U.S.borders, including non-citizens, and guarantee a right to be heard when personal liberty is restricted.The court referenced prior Supreme Court precedent affirming that due process rights extend broadly regardless of immigration status.

However, a dissenting judge argued that the majority decision undermines Congress’s authority over immigration enforcement and challenges the interpretation of mandatory detention statutes.

The case stems from ongoing legal disputes over whether federal immigration law allows the government to detain certain non-citizens without bond hearings, particularly those classified as “applicants for admission.

” The Department of Homeland Security disagreed with the ruling and maintained confidence in its legal position, stating that it supports mandatory detention in such cases.The administration has also requested Supreme Court review of similar rulings from other appellate courts.

The decision marks a significant development in immigration detention policy and may reshape how long-term detention cases are handled across multiple jurisdictions.