Ranking Member Jayapal Statement on Federal Appeals Court Ruling Blocking Trump’s Mass Detention Agenda

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, released the following statement regarding the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals' 3-0 ruling that found the Trump Administration's policy of detaining immigrants without bond to be illegal.

"Trump has been detaining immigrants at an extremely high rate. While the daily numbers have fluctuated, in January 2026, the number of people in detention on a single day hit 70,000 for the first time. The number of deaths in detention has soared as a result of the inhumane conditions, with an unprecedented 47 deaths occurring in ICE custody since Trump came into office in January 2025. There have also been numerous reports of moldy food, inadequate amounts of water, medical neglect, and people packed in so tightly they can't even lie down to sleep.

"Today's ruling by a three-judge panel, including one judge appointed by Trump, unanimously finds that this administration cannot hold immigrants indefinitely without a bond hearing, stating, 'The government's interpretation … would send a seismic shock through our immigration detention system and society, straining our already overcrowded detention infrastructure, incarcerating millions, separating families, and disrupting communities.'

"In implementing this mass detention policy across the country, the Administration has completely disregarded the Due Process clause of the U.S. Constitution, as well as decades of precedent regarding immigration enforcement.

"Thus far, 420 District Court Judges have rejected the Trump Administration's cruel detention policy with only 47 ruling in favor. While this case is likely to head to the Supreme Court, this unanimous Appeals Court ruling is an important marker in the journey for justice and the protection of due process for all individuals."

Jayapal led 62 Members of Congress earlier this year in calling out policy changes around bond hearings and demanding a change. She also leads the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, which aims to end mandatory detention and phase out the use of private, for-profit detention centers.

Issues: Immigration