*Press Statement*
Court Rejects Trump’s Attempt to Deny Bond Hearings for Immigrants

New York, NY—The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans ruled that people in immigration detention have the right to meaningful due process and must receive a bond hearing within 90 days. The decision rejects the Trump administration’s attempt to detain people without having to justify their continued detention before a judge. The 2-1 ruling applies to people held in immigration detention across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi – states that collectively detain some of the largest numbers of immigrants in the country. For thousands of people who have been held for prolonged periods without meaningful due process, the decision makes clear that the federal government must justify their continued detention.

Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“Every person, no matter where they were born, deserves to be treated with dignity and has the Constitutional right to due process. No one should be deprived of their liberty without a meaningful opportunity to make their case before a judge. We applaud the Appeals Court in this case for reaffirming this fundamental principle and making clear that the government cannot detain people without accountability. At a time when the Trump administration is spending billions of taxpayer dollars to expand and prolong immigration detention for our immigrant neighbors, this decision is a critical reminder that the Constitution still applies. The law is clear: immigrants have the right to ask for a bond hearing. Families belong together, and Americans deserve a government that follows the law.”

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy & advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York. The NYIC serves one of the largest and most diverse newcomer populations in the United States. The multi-racial and multi-sector NYIC membership base includes grassroots and nonprofit community organizations, religious and academic institutions, labor unions, as well as legal and socioeconomic justice organizations. The NYIC not only establishes a forum for immigrant groups to voice their concerns, but also provides a platform for collective action to drive positive social change. Since its founding in 1987, the NYIC has evolved into a powerful voice of advocacy by spearheading innovative policies, promoting and protecting the rights of immigrant communities, improving newcomer access to services, developing leadership and capacity, expanding civic participation, and mobilizing member groups to respond to the fluctuating needs of immigrant communities.