9th Circuit Blocks Trump Administration's Interior Detention Policy

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that the Trump administration cannot deny immigrants detained within the United States the opportunity for release on bond. In a 2-1 decision, the court rejected an expansion of mandatory detention to the U.S. interior, a policy introduced last July to support a mass deportation campaign.

Judge Daniel Bress wrote the majority opinion, concluding that the historical understanding of relevant statutes overrides the administration's interpretation of a 1996 law. This ruling increases the judicial split on the issue, as four other federal appeals courts have now rejected the policy, while the Fifth and Eighth Circuits supported it.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated it strongly disagrees with the panel and remains confident in its legal position. The agency maintains that the administration is enforcing the law as written to keep the country safe. Because of the ongoing divide among appeals courts, the issue is more likely to be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court, which the administration requested last month.