October Term 2000 · Docket 00-1011
Can courts review the Attorney General's final legal rulings on deportation?
the sides that brought the case seek judicial review of the Attorney General's legal rulings. The government argues these rulings are final and unreviewable.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Guttentag argued that the Attorney General's legal rulings are reviewable in court.
Mr. Kneedler argued that Congress granted the Attorney General final authority on legal questions.
Mr. Guttentag stated that no final deportation order exists until discretionary relief is adjudicated.
Mr. Kneedler noted that the asylum provision requires the Attorney General to establish procedures.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 31-33
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of judicial power over executive immigration decisions. The core dispute involves the separation of powers. It asks if courts can check the Attorney General's legal interpretations. The outcome shapes the balance between executive authority and judicial oversight. It affects the rights of non-citizens facing removal. It defines the limits of administrative finality.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 23-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 24, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 31-33
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want courts to review the Attorney General's legal rulings on deportation.
The government wants the Attorney General's legal rulings to be final and unreviewable.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 23-39
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the Attorney General's legal rulings are subject to judicial review.
The government argues the Attorney General's legal rulings are final and beyond court review.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 23-39
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked for authority supporting the claim that no final deportation order exists until discretionary relief is adjudicated.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 31-33
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between executive and judicial power. It determines whether courts can correct legal errors in deportation cases. It protects the rights of non-citizens against unchecked executive action. It clarifies the finality of administrative decisions. It shapes the future of immigration law enforcement. It impacts the independence of the judiciary.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 23-39
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 31-33
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 23-39
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.