Florida residents may be aware that the Trump administration is embroiled in a number of legal disputes over some of its more vigorous immigration policies, and many of these cases involve issues that have been raised in parts of the country where authorities refuse to enforce immigration policies they view as draconian. Sanctuary cities and states provide U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents with little in the way of cooperation, and the Trump administration is not reluctant to turn to the courts when it believes that this lack of cooperation is hampering efforts to deport individuals.
One such case involves the detention of immigrants who have been convicted of committing crimes. U.S. immigration law allows such individuals to be held indefinitely and denied bond hearings, but attorneys representing the plaintiffs, two legal immigrants who were convicted on drug charges, say that indefinite detention should only be allowed when immigrants are taken into custody by federal authorities immediately after completing their custodial sentences. The Trump administration says that immigration agents should be able to seize these individuals at any time.
The U.S. Supreme Court announced on March 19 that it would be hearing arguments in the case during its next term, which runs from October 2018 to June 2019. The Trump administration is appealing a San Francisco federal appeals court ruling that places limits on indefinite detention. Experts say that the White House is concerned about bond hearings because they allow immigrants to present evidence and petition for their release. Administration officials may also be worried that judges in sanctuary cities and states could be swayed by these arguments.
This case demonstrates that even immigrants who live and work in the United States legally can face deportation proceedings after being accused of certain crimes. Attorneys with experience in this area may help immigrants facing removal proceedings to mount a defense against deportation . Legal professionals may also explain the various work visa and residency programs available to those who wish to start a new life in the United States.
Source: Reuters, Supreme Court takes up new immigration detention dispute, Lawrence Hurley, March 19, 2018
