Opinion ID: 2740076
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: may release the alien on—

Text: (A) bond of at least $1,500 . . . ; or (B) conditional parole . . . . Id. § 1226(a) (emphasis added). The statute thus provides that after an alien’s arrest the Attorney General “may continue to detain the arrested alien” or “may release the alien” on bond or parole. Id. § 1226(a)(1), (2).2 We refer to this provision, 2 Although the Attorney General now shares these responsibilities with the Secretary of Homeland Security (see Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-296, §§ 402, 441, -5- subsection (a), as the general detention provision. The general detention provision does not require the Attorney General to release an alien under any particular circumstances, nor does it limit the factors that the Attorney General may consider in deciding whether to detain or release an alien. See id. The process by which the Attorney General determines whether an alien will be released on bond pursuant to subsection (a) is governed by administrative regulations. See generally 8 C.F.R. § 1236.1. The first step in the process is a bond determination by an immigration enforcement officer. See id. § 1236.1(c)(8). To be released, an alien must prove “to the satisfaction of the officer” that his release would not endanger other persons or property and that he is likely to appear for any future proceedings. Id. Release may be revoked (if it is granted at all) “at any time in the discretion of” the immigration enforcement officer. Id. § 1236.1(c)(9). An alien dissatisfied with his initial bond determination may request a redetermination of bond by an administrative immigration judge. Id. § 1236.1(d)(1). The immigration judge applies the same standard as the enforcement officials and reaches an independent judgment about the alien’s eligibility for release. See id. If the alien is still dissatisfied with his bond decision, 116 Stat. 2135 (Nov. 25, 2002)), for convenience, we will refer to this authority as residing in the Attorney General and his assigns. -6- he may take a further appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Id. § 1236.1(d)(3). No judicial review is available for an alien’s bond determination. The statute provides: The Attorney General’s discretionary judgment regarding the application of this section shall not be subject to review. No court may set aside any action or decision by the Attorney General under this section regarding the detention or release of any alien or the grant, revocation, or denial of bond or parole. 8 U.S.C. § 1226(e). Thus, the exclusive authority to make and review bond determinations lies with the executive branch, whose discretionary decisions are generally immune from review in Article III courts.