October Term 2007 · Docket 06-1181
Does a motion to reopen suspend a voluntary departure deadline?
the side that brought the case argues a motion to reopen pauses the departure clock. The government says the deadline remains fixed.
Verified source milestones
- — 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. Meade argued Congress created two distinct rules. He asked the Court to reconcile them. He noted all aliens may file one motion.
Mr. Kneedler stated a motion does not suspend departure. He emphasized the Board's order sets a fixed time. He argued the obligation remains active during the appeal.
questions_detail
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 3-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 3-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests how two immigration rules interact. One rule sets a short exit window. The other allows a one-time appeal. The Court must define their relationship.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-49
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 7, 2008.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the deadline to pause during the appeal.
Government wants the deadline to remain fixed and strict.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-49
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the appeal process suspends the exit clock.
Government argues the exit clock never stops during an appeal.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-49
What the justices asked
Justice Ginsburg asked why the government allows reopening for all aliens.
Justice Alito asked if diligent pursuit is required for equitable tolling.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 3-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 3-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-9
Why it matters
This dispute defines the finality of immigration deadlines. It clarifies the balance between strict exit rules and appeal rights. The outcome shapes how agencies process late filings.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-49
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 51-11 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 3-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 3-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-9
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 13-37 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-49
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.