The US Supreme Court on Thursday issued two significant immigration rulings, upholding a federal law that allows for the deportation of non-citizens convicted of certain crimes and limiting the ability of some immigrants to challenge their removal in court.
Deportation Law Upheld
In a 6-3 decision, the court upheld a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that mandates deportation for non-citizens convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, such as theft or fraud, if the potential sentence is one year or more. The ruling came in the case of Pugin v. Garland, where a lawful permanent resident from Guyana faced deportation after a conviction for attempted grand larceny in New York. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, stated that the law's language clearly covers offenses where the maximum possible sentence is at least one year, regardless of the actual sentence imposed.
Limiting Judicial Review
In a separate 7-2 decision, the court ruled that non-citizens who re-enter the US illegally after being deported are not entitled to a hearing before an immigration judge to challenge their removal. The case, United States v. Hansen, involved a Mexican national who had been deported multiple times and was convicted of illegal re-entry. The court held that the law bars such individuals from contesting their removal orders during criminal proceedings for illegal re-entry. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the majority, emphasizing that the statute's plain text precludes judicial review in these circumstances.
Impact and Reactions
According to the American Immigration Council, the rulings could affect tens of thousands of immigrants annually. The decisions were praised by conservative groups and the Trump administration, which argued they are necessary for enforcing immigration laws. Conversely, immigrant rights organizations condemned the rulings, stating they undermine due process. "These decisions strip away fundamental protections for immigrants and will lead to unjust deportations," said Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project. The rulings are expected to have immediate practical effects, with lower courts now bound by the Supreme Court's interpretations.
