October Term 2023 · Docket 22-1178
Does a government declaration end a No Fly List dispute?
The government claims a declaration moots the case. The challenger says it does not.
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. Joshi argued the case is moot.
Mr. Abbas argued the threat persists.
Justice Sotomayor questioned the sufficiency of the declaration.
Justice Thomas questioned the procedural fairness.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-19
- 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 59, lines 27-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 27-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 29-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 29-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 55-7
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The government argues the dispute is over. The challenger argues the threat remains.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 27-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 11-27
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 8, 2024.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 39-45
What each side wants
The government wants the case dismissed as moot.
The challenger wants the court to hear the merits.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 27-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 11-27
What each side says
The government asserts a declaration prevents recurrence.
The challenger asserts the declaration fails to guarantee safety.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 27-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 11-27
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked how a declaration moots the case.
Justice Thomas asked how a declaration fixes bad procedures.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 29-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 29-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 55-7
Why it matters
This case defines when a government promise ends a legal dispute. It shapes how courts handle ongoing threats. It affects the power of executive agencies. It determines the scope of judicial review. It impacts the rights of listed individuals. It clarifies the standard for mootness. It influences future No Fly List challenges. It balances security and liberty.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 27-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 11-27
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 23-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-19
- 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 19-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 45-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 29-53 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 29-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 55-7
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 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 27-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 27-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 9-37 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 9-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 86, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 86, lines 11-27
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.