Federal Appeals Court Overturns Trump Administration’s Immigration Detention Policy
A federal appeals court has struck down a Trump administration policy mandating that individuals in immigration detention remain in custody until their sentencing. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which oversees cases in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, ruled against the policy in a 2-1 decision, citing constitutional violations related to the detention of individuals with pending immigration cases without the chance to post bond.
Due Process Violations Highlighted by Court Majority
The majority opinion articulated that the government “cannot subject long-term, law-abiding U.S. residents to the hardships of forced detention without due process.” Additionally, the court emphasized that this policy undermines decades of legal precedent concerning bail hearings in immigration matters.
Impact on Noncitizens Across Multiple States
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan noted that the ruling has significant implications for thousands of noncitizens detained across Michigan and three other states. “The court has once again correctly rejected the Trump administration’s inhumane detention policy, concluding that our country’s reinterpretation of detention law is unlawful. We are very pleased for our client and his family,” stated Mee Khan Ngo, principal attorney at the ACLU of Michigan’s Immigrant Rights Project.
Mixed Judicial Opinions from Federal Appeals Courts
In the realm of immigration detention cases, two other federal appeals courts have sided with detainees, while another pair have upheld the Trump administration’s positions. Ultimately, the future of this controversial policy is likely to be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court.
High-Profile Habeas Corpus Case of Juan Manuel López Campos
In a notable case, a “habeas corpus” petition led to the release of Juan Manuel López Campos, a 46-year-old Mexican father of five U.S. citizens. After spending nearly two months in Monroe County Jail—one of four jails in Michigan that detain immigrants on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—a federal judge ruled in August that López Campos was unlawfully detained.
Surge in Petitions from Immigration Detention Centers
From August 2025 to mid-February 2026, more than 800 unlawful detention claims were filed in two federal district courts in Michigan. This influx marked a dramatic increase, as the last petition had been filed in 2020. Notably, Jose Daniel Contreras-Cervantes was among the first to submit a petition in this surge.
Political Dynamics in Judicial Decisions
The Trump administration has suggested that judicial decisions are skewed, claiming that the law unjustly requires judges to detain immigrants lacking legal status. However, data indicates that the political affiliations of judges in the Western District of Michigan did not significantly affect their handling of habeas petitions, suggesting a more neutral judicial process. Despite possible bail grants, Michigan public officials have underscored that there is no assurance of release for detained immigrants.
Adam Yahya Rayes contributed to this report, highlighting the complexities surrounding immigration detention policies and their far-reaching effects.
