{"id":2568043,"date":"2026-02-09T17:29:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T22:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/legal-war-over-trumps-immigration-detention-policy-far-from-over\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T17:33:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T22:33:21","slug":"legal-war-over-trumps-immigration-detention-policy-far-from-over","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/legal-war-over-trumps-immigration-detention-policy-far-from-over\/","title":{"rendered":"Legal war over Trump&#8217;s immigration detention policy far from over"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flegal-war-over-trumps-immigration-detention-policy-far-from-over%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2568043&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A federal appeals court in the Fifth Circuit ruled in favor of the Trump governance\u2019s mandatory detention policy for illegal immigrants, a sizable win for the administration even as challenges persist elsewhere. The 2-1 decision held that the Immigration and Naturalization Act authorizes detaining illegal entrants while their removal proceedings proceed, and it rejected the argument that bond hearings are required under the statute. The ruling is a significant policy win but is binding only for the states within the circuit\u2014Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas\u2014while district courts in other circuits have largely ruled against the policy.<\/p>\n<p>Across the country, hundreds of cases have rejected the administration\u2019s detention arguments, meaning the fifth Circuit\u2019s interpretation is not controlling nationwide. Legal observers expect the decision could be appealed to the Supreme Court, which might take up the issue and potentially have nationwide implications, either on an emergency basis or on the merits. Some commentators predict the high court could resolve a split among circuits.<\/p>\n<p>The decision comes amid ongoing enforcement in places like Minnesota and ongoing criticism of what opponents call activist judges. while the Fifth Circuit\u2019s ruling marks a notable victory, the broader legal battle over mandatory detention remains unresolved and continues to unfold in federal courts.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Legal war over Trump&rsquo;s immigration detention policy far from over despite key win<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2495699\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration<\/a> won a key victory at a federal <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/appeals-courts\/\">appeals court<\/a> late last week, when its mandatory detention policy for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/illegal-immigrants\/\">illegal immigrants<\/a> was upheld, but it still faces skepticism in various other federal courts.<\/p>\n<p>The administration&rsquo;s mandatory detention policy has faced hundreds of adverse rulings, with illegal immigrants successfully challenging their detention through habeas corpus petitions in federal district courts across the country. Conservative legal analysts have hailed the appeals court&rsquo;s ruling as a key victory, but several hurdles remain for the administration&rsquo;s fight to uphold its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trumps-pardons-cost-crime-victims-1-3-billion-democrats\/\" title=\"Trump&#039;s pardons cost crime victims .3 billion: Democrats\">aggressive immigration policy<\/a> in federal court.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4449540\/trump-administration-court-test-venezuelans-deported-el-salvador\/\">Trump administration faces court test over Venezuelans flown to El Salvador<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4450569\/ice-super-bowl-ad-officers-everyday-americans\/\">ICE Super Bowl ad portrays officers as everyday Americans making US &#8216;safer&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4449216\/trump-deportations-hurt-not-help-gop-political-math\/\">Trump&#8217;s deportations may hurt, not help, GOP&#8217;s political math<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5th-circuit-sides-with-trump-administration-s-detention-policy\">5th Circuit sides with Trump administration&rsquo;s detention policy<\/h2>\n<p>A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ca5.uscourts.gov\/opinions\/pub\/25\/25-20496-CV0.pdf\">ruled<\/a> 2-1 late Friday in favor of the Trump administration&rsquo;s detention policy, marking the highest federal court to rule on the matter. The majority on the panel found that just because previous administrations did not use their power under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to detain illegal immigrants indefinitely, rather than allow them to seek release on bond as had been done prior to President Donald Trump&rsquo;s second term, it does not mean presidents do not have that power.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The government&rsquo;s past practice has little to do with the statute&rsquo;s text,&rdquo; U.S. Circuit Judge Edith Jones, an appointee of former President Ronald Reagan, wrote for the majority. &ldquo;The text says what it says, regardless of the decisions of prior Administrations. Years of consistent practice cannot vindicate an interpretation that is inconsistent with a statute&rsquo;s plain text.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The majority opinion, which was joined by U.S. Circuit Judge Kyle Duncan, a Trump appointee, rejected the claims by opponents of the administration that bond hearings are required for illegal immigrants under federal law, reversing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/appeals-court-allows-trump-administration-to-freeze-billions-in-foreign-aid-but-challenge-remains-alive\/\" title=\"... ... allows ... to freeze billions in foreign aid but challenge remains alive\">lower district court&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s ruling.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;After reviewing carefully the relevant provisions and structure of the Immigration and Naturalization Act, the statutory history, and congressional intent, we conclude that the government&rsquo;s position is correct,&rdquo; the majority ruling said.<\/p>\n<p>The ruling was a key policy win for the administration, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hunter-biden-special-counsel-appointment-may-violate-law-requiring-impartial-government-outsider-rep-sessions\/\" title=\"Rep. Sessions suggests that the appointment of Hunter Biden as a special counsel may breach the law, which mandates an impartial outsider for government positions.\">conservative legal analysts<\/a> underscoring the ramifications of the Fifth Circuit panel&rsquo;s green light for the administration&rsquo;s immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Now &ndash; if you crossed illegally and ICE finds you, you&rsquo;re done,&rdquo; Will Chamberlain, senior counsel for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cussin-cheerleaders-supreme-court-case-could-pose-challenge-for-woke-schools\/\" title=\"Cussin\u2019 Cheerleader\u2019s ... Case Could Pose Challenge for Woke Schools\">conservative legal group<\/a> the&nbsp;Article&nbsp;III&nbsp;Project, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/willchamberlain\/status\/2019990330200719636\">said<\/a> in a post on X. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re not walking American streets freely again unless you prevail in your removal proceeding (which is supremely unlikely). You won&rsquo;t be able to go to your apartment and grab your things. You are simply done. You can either accept deportation or sit in immigration detention while your lawyer wastes their time on futile filings, and then get deported when you lose.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Chamberlain also predicted the ruling could clear up backlogs in the judicial system caused by the avalanche of filings by illegal immigrants challenging their detention. Trump administration officials also celebrated the ruling, with Attorney General Pam Bondi calling the ruling &ldquo;a significant blow against activist judges who have been undermining our efforts to make America safe again at every turn.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5th-circuit-ruling-is-limited-and-other-courts-have-largely-sided-against-the-administration\">5th Circuit ruling is limited and other courts have largely sided against the administration<\/h2>\n<p>While the ruling in the 5th Circuit marks a key victory for the administration, it only serves as a binding ruling for the judicial districts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, while district courts across the country continue to side with activists suing over the detention policy.<\/p>\n<p>Roughly 300 cases in federal court have rejected the administration&rsquo;s legal arguments for mandatory detention across different judicial districts, making the 5th Circuit&rsquo;s findings in the minority. Federal district judges have taken notice of the ruling, but some who are outside of the 5th Circuit&rsquo;s jurisdiction are still ruling against the administration.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;While the Court is aware of the Fifth Circuit&rsquo;s recent decision reaching a contrary conclusion, that decision is not binding here, and the Court is unpersuaded by its reasoning, for many of the reasons cogently set forth in Judge Douglas&rsquo;s dissent, which explains that the majority&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >interpretation risks rendering substantial portions<\/a> of the statutory scheme superfluous and internally inconsistent,&rdquo; U.S. District Judge Christine O&rsquo;Hearn, who serves in the District of New Jersey, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.njd.591339\/gov.uscourts.njd.591339.3.0.pdf\">wrote<\/a> in a footnote of a Sunday order in a habeas corpus petition by an illegal immigrant.<\/p>\n<p>The 5th Circuit&rsquo;s ruling giving the Trump administration its key win could be appealed to the Supreme Court, which could issue a ruling, either on its merits docket or emergency docket, which could have nationwide ramifications. The high court typically weighs in on cases where multiple judicial circuits have contradictory rulings on the same matter, but Bill Shipley, a former federal prosecutor, believes the justices could take up the case before such a split among the appeals courts.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The number of district judges from multiple circuits on the other side will be enough for them to settle the issue. It&rsquo;s a matter of detention v. release,&rdquo; Shipley <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/shipwreckedcrew\/status\/2019958623850627143\">said<\/a> in a post on X. &ldquo;They&rsquo;ll likely hear an emergency application for a stay, and potentially take up on cert pending appeal and have full briefing.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4449437\/dhs-activist-judges-grant-illegal-immigrants-freedom\/\">DHS UNLOADS ON &lsquo;ACTIVIST&rsquo; JUDGES GRANTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FREEDOM IN HABEAS CASES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Supreme Court&rsquo;s action, or inaction, on the issue could shape the fate of Trump&rsquo;s aggressive immigration detention policy as the challenges to mandatory detention continue to be a never-ending tsunami for federal courts.<\/p>\n<p>In Minnesota, where the Trump administration has focused aggressive immigration enforcement in recent months, the federal district court and the Justice Department have faced dozens of legal challenges. Despite the flood of cases, the administration has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4449437\/dhs-activist-judges-grant-illegal-immigrants-freedom\/\">insisted<\/a> it will not be deterred in its operations by the significant number of habeas corpus petitions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump detention policy fight far from over despite win<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2638,"featured_media":2568044,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26019679335607.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[10123,5485,3813,4784,3634],"class_list":["post-2568043","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-courts","tag-detention","tag-immigration","tag-litigation","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26019679335607.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568043","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2568043"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568043\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2568047,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568043\/revisions\/2568047"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2568044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2568043"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2568043"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2568043"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}