Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Trump Administration's Ruling Allows Detention of 2 Million Immigrants

2/7/2026

28 5

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration upheld its policy to detain undocumented immigrants without bond hearings in a 2-1 Fifth Circuit ruling affecting Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Judge Edith Jones of the Fifth Circuit stated that the administration acted within authority to enforce immigration laws.
In dissent, Judge Dana Douglas of the Fifth Circuit warned the ruling could detain up to two million noncitizens without release.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, abolished national origin quotas that had favored Northern and Western Europeans since the 1920s. This landmark legislation significantly increased immigration from Asia and Latin America, reshaping U.S. demographics and sparking ongoing debates about immigration enforcement and civil liberties, as seen in recent legal challenges.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration upheld its policy to detain undocumented immigrants without bond hearings in a 2-1 Fifth Circuit ruling affecting Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Judge Edith Jones of the Fifth Circuit stated that the administration acted within authority to enforce immigration laws.
In dissent, Judge Dana Douglas of the Fifth Circuit warned the ruling could detain up to two million noncitizens without release.

1 / 2