October Term 2020 · Docket 20-437
Does a void removal order bar reentry prosecution?
The government seeks to convict a man for reentry. He argues his prior removal order was void.
Verified source milestones
- — 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
Ms. Ross argued the statute text resolves the question.
Mr. Garcia argued the removal order was invalid.
Justice Thomas questioned the government's motivation for the case.
Chief Justice Roberts asked about the availability of remedies.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-55 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-53 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-55 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-47
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether a void removal order blocks a reentry charge.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 27, 2021.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
What each side wants
The government wants a conviction for illegal reentry.
The defendant wants the dismissal of the indictment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
What each side says
The government argues the statute text resolves the question.
The defendant argues the removal order was invalid.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked why the government pursued the case.
Chief Justice Roberts asked about administrative remedies availability.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-55 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-53 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-55 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-47
Why it matters
This dispute defines the scope of reentry prosecutions. It affects how courts treat void orders. It shapes future immigration enforcement actions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
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 15-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-55 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-53 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 17-55 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 17-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-47
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 26, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
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.