The nine justices on Wednesday heard the administration argue for sweeping government authority to detain immigrants awaiting deportation after they complete sentences for criminal convictions, even years after leaving prison. The administration, which has taken a hard line toward immigration, has appealed a lower court ruling in favor of immigrants that the government has said undermines its ability to deport immigrants who have committed crimes. In April, Gorsuch joined with the court’s four liberal justices in a 5-4 ruling in another immigration case that could hinder the administration’s ability to step up the removal of immigrants with criminal records.
