Federal Court Makes Groundbreaking Decision in Favor of Asylum Seekers
Judge Marsha Pechman , federal judge in Seattle, Washington, ordered that the government to provide bona fide asylum seekers a bond hearing before an immigration judge within seven days of their request or immediately release them from detention.
Judge Pechman additionally ordered that the government must justify continued detentions, record all hearings, and produce the recordings on appeal as well as written decisions. The government has been given 30 days to implement the changes.
This is the first nationwide ruling that has shifted burden of proof onto the government rather than the immigrant.