October Term 2020 · Docket 19-897
Which statute controls detention during withholding proceedings?
the sides that brought the case argue Section 1226 governs their detention. the opposing sides argue Section 1231 applies to their status.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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. Hughes argued Section 1226 governs detention in this context.
Mr. Suri argued Section 1231 text supports the current detention.
Justice Roberts questioned the distinction between where and whether removal occurs.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 45-27 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 45-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case concerns the legal basis for detaining non-citizens. The parties dispute which statute applies during specific proceedings. The outcome affects detention authority and release standards.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 45-27 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 45-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-31
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 11, 2021.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 33-35
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to apply Section 1226 standards.
the opposing sides want the Court to apply Section 1231 standards.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 45-27 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 45-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-31
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue Section 1226 governs detention during withholding proceedings.
the opposing sides argue Section 1231 text covers their specific status.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 45-27 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 45-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-31
What the justices asked
Justice Breyer asked about the percentage of individuals who remain.
Justice Thomas asked for clarification on the scope of review.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-9
Why it matters
The choice of statute defines detention limits. It determines release standards for these individuals. It clarifies the scope of executive detention power.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 45-27 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 45-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-31
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 10, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-9
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 45-27 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 45-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 33, lines 45-27 — Transcript, file page 33, lines 45-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 51-31
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.