Opinion ID: 200987
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Provisional Stay of Removal

Text: 20 During the pendency of this appeal, Neverson's immigration proceedings have been on hold. In March 2000, while his first appeal was pending before this court, Neverson completed his sentence for his Massachusetts manslaughter conviction. The INS immediately took Neverson into custody and prepared to deport him, acquiring the necessary travel documents and purchasing a one-way ticket to Trinidad on American Airlines. 21 On Neverson's emergency motion, this court issued a provisional stay on September 8, 2000 barring the INS from deporting Neverson until we could hear and decide his case. When Neverson's case was remanded to the district court, we specified that the provisional stay was to remain in effect until further order of either the district court or, if another appeal ensues, this court. 261 F.3d at 127. 22 Nevertheless, on June 25, 2003, after the district court had denied Neverson's petition on the merits, the INS announced its intention to deport Neverson to Trinidad — even though Neverson had already noticed an appeal to this court and the district court had already granted a certificate of appealability. Neverson sought emergency relief from the district court, which issued an order stating that it lacked jurisdiction to award relief but clarifying that its February 4, 2003 opinion had not modified the September 8, 2000 provisional stay. On July 2, 2003, this court entered an order confirming that the INS was not permitted to deport Neverson until further notice: We agree with petitioner that the provisional stay of deportation entered on September 8, 2000 remains in effect and that, so long as that is the case, any attempt to execute his removal is barred.