It’s a huge win for President Donald Trump in his agenda to enforce the nation’s border and immigration laws.
That’s according to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who cited the decision from the 8th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals.
That court was the second, following the 5th Circuit, to determine that illegal aliens nabbed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers do not have to face bond hearings.
The demand multiple times has come from leftists who have presumed that illegal aliens in the United States, unless they have committed crimes other than border and immigration violations, are innocent residents.
“Massive court victory against activist judges and for President Trump’s law and order agenda,” Bondi said.
BREAKING: Appeals Court Rules Illegal Aliens Can Be Detained Without Bond, Reinforcing Immigration Enforcement Authority https://t.co/y1XdVOtCFI pic.twitter.com/G622WlCFLL
— Bruce Snyder (@realBruceSnyder) March 25, 2026
The 8th Circuit had just reversed a lower ruling in the fight.
The specific fight was on behalf of Mexican national Joaquin Herrera Avila, arrested in Minneapolis. He failed to produce papers allowing him to be in the U.S. and was detained without bond.
A report at Fox News said the appeals court overturned a district judge’s decision to grant Avila habeas corpus.
“We reverse and remand [that ruling] for proceedings consistent with this opinion,” the split decision said.
Judge Bobby Shepherd of Arkansas authored the majority and concluded the lower court used a federal law that allows for detention without bond of “an alien who is an applicant for admission … .”
Avila was not an “applicant” as he lived and worked in the U.S. for many years.
However, he never sought residency status.
“The Eighth Circuit has held that illegal aliens can be detained without bond — following a similar ruling from the Fifth Circuit last month. The law is very clear, but Democrats and activist judges haven’t wanted to enforce it. This administration WILL,” Bondi explained. “Imagine how many illegal alien crimes could have been averted if the left had simply followed the law?”
Commentator and social influencer Gunther Eagleman said it was a significant win over “activist” judges.
“Key decision: Illegal aliens already inside the U.S. can be detained without bond during removal proceedings. This is a massive victory for the deportation mission. Leftist judges can no longer force DHS to simply release invaders into our communities to commit more crimes. Huge L for open borders,” he said.