JUDGE SAYS U.S. CANNOT JAIL ASYLUM SEEKERS INDEFINITELY. Today, a federal judge in Seattle blocked the Trump administration from denying bond hearings to asylum seekers.
US District Judge Marsha Pechman ruled that people who are detained after seeking asylum protection are entitled to bond hearings and the chance to be released from custody. "It is the finding of this Court that it is unconstitutional to deny these class members a bond hearing while they await a final determination of their asylum request," Pechman wrote.
The Justice Department announced a policy in April that some asylum seekers cannot be released on bond by immigration judge—even if they have already proven a credible fear of persecution in their home countries. The policy would have effectively blocked immigration lawyers and immigrant rights advocates from asking judges to release detained asylum seekers on payment of a bond.
The judge ordered the Justice Department to resume bond hearings for asylum seekers within two weeks.
