{"argument_date":"2018-10-10T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2018-10-10T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Tripp argued that a criminal alien does not escape mandatory detention just because the government delayed their arrest.","Ms. Wang argued that the government's reading contradicts the statute's text, structure, and purpose in at least three ways.","Ms. Wang stated that the government's view negates Congress's directive to use finite detention resources on those released from criminal custody.","Mr. Tripp noted that aliens are often released before the Department of Homeland Security is even aware of the release."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 27-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 26-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 26-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 22-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 22-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 14-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 22-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 22-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 14-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 14-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 15-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 20-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 20-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 71, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 72, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-16"}]}],"caption":"Nielsen v. Preap","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:20.663639Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:20.698067Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a criminal alien must remain in mandatory detention if the government fails to arrest them immediately after their release from state custody.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 22-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 22-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 22-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 22-14"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2018-10-10T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/16-1363.html","primary_docket":"16-1363","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T19:39:27.871007Z","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 interaction between two federal statutes. One mandates detention for certain criminal aliens. The other allows the government to set its own arrest timelines. The core conflict is whether a delay in arrest voids the mandatory detention requirement."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 22-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 22-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 22-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 22-14"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 10, 2018."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 72, lines 13-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The government wants the Court to confirm that mandatory detention applies regardless of how long the arrest delay lasts.","The alien wants the Court to rule that a significant delay in arrest ends the mandatory detention requirement."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 22-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 22-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 22-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 22-14"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The government argues that the statutory text mandates detention for criminal aliens, and a delay in arrest does not change this legal obligation.","The alien argues that the statute directs detention resources to those released from criminal custody, so a long delay negates the mandate."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 22-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 22-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 22-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 22-14"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked why transition rules were needed if the government claims discretion to arrest an alien at any time.","Justice Ginsburg asked if the alien's position makes the timing of custody changes irrelevant to the bond hearing requirement."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 27-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 26-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 26-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 14-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 14-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 14-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 15-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 20-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 20-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 71, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 72, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-16"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case determines whether criminal aliens face indefinite detention without bond hearings. It defines the government's power to delay arrests. It impacts the balance between public safety and individual liberty. It clarifies the scope of mandatory detention laws."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 22-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 22-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 22-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 22-14"}]},{"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 11, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 27-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 26-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 26-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 9-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 9-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 30-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 30-32"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 14-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 14-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 14-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 14-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 15-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 20-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 70, lines 20-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 71, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 72, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-16"}]}],"slug":"2018-16-1363-nielsen-v-preap","term":"2018","title":"Does a delay in arrest end mandatory detention for criminal aliens?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 22-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 34, lines 22-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 22-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/16-1363_758b.pdf","page_label":"file page 69, lines 22-14"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}