{"argument_date":"2009-01-21T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2009-01-21T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Harrison cited the 1996 statute authorizing stays.","Chief Justice Roberts questioned the empirical data on stay grants.","Justice Kennedy asked about the percentage of successful government appeals."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 35-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 33-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 21-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 21-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 35-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-3"}]}],"caption":"Nken v. Mukasey","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:26.714656Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:26.745220Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek stays to remain in the U.S. during appeals. The government argues this practice undermines finality.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 35-31"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2009-01-21T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/08-681.html","primary_docket":"08-681","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T02:38:44.557083Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the scope of judicial power to pause removal orders. the sides that brought the case argue stays prevent immediate deportation. The government claims this delays final decisions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 35-31"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 21, 2009."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 11-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want courts to keep stays available during appeals.","The government wants to limit stays to prevent delays."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 35-31"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue stays protect rights during the appeal process.","The government argues stays undermine the finality of removal orders."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 35-31"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked if reopening proceedings differs from vacating orders.","Justice Kennedy asked if generous standards increase petition filings."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 33-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 21-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 21-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 35-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-3"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines the balance between due process and immigration enforcement. It shapes how quickly removal orders become final. It affects the daily operations of federal courts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 35-31"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 33-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 33-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 21-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 21-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 35-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 29-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 39-3"}]}],"slug":"2008-08-681-nken-v-mukasey","term":"2008","title":"Can courts stay removal orders while appeals proceed?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 35-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-681.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 35-31"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}