USCCB Urges Supreme Court to End 21-Month Detention Without Bond Hearing

1 articles · Updated · Angelus News · Sep 10

A Supreme Court brief from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and CLINIC backs stronger due-process protections for noncitizens, arguing detention cannot continue indefinitely without meaningful judicial review.
The filing centers on Genalo v. Keisy G.M., in which a Dominican permanent resident says ICE violated his Fifth Amendment rights after holding him 21 months without a bond hearing.
The bishops argued prolonged detention can cost detainees jobs, homes, health and family stability, and said any deprivation of liberty must be justified before a neutral tribunal rather than by categorical assumptions.
Their brief ties that position to Catholic teaching and American legal tradition, citing Pope John XXIII and Vatican diplomat Archbishop Paul Gallagher on due process, equality before the law and limits on arbitrariness.
Oral arguments are set for Oct. 13 in a case that could shape how far immigration authorities may detain noncitizens during deportation proceedings.