Immigration security

US Supreme Court rules immigrants can be detained without bail

The US Supreme Court has ruled that immigrants held in long-term detention do not have the right to periodic hearings to argue their release.

The 5-3 verdict overturns a 2015 appeals court ruling that said detained immigrants awaiting deportation must have a bond hearing every six months.

The high court's five conservatives were in the majority in the ruling.

The decision applies to any immigrant, including those with legal permanent status or who are seeking asylum.

The case will now go back to the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals to consider whether the US Constitution requires bond hearings for detained immigrants.

In the majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito wrote: "Immigration officials are authorized to detain certain aliens in the course of immigration proceedings while they determine whether those aliens may be lawfully present in the country."