Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 8 : Section 1537


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/03/05
Section 1537. Custody and release after removal hearing

    (a) Release
      (1) In general
        Subject to paragraph (2), if the judge decides that an alien
      should not be removed, the alien shall be released from custody.
      (2) Custody pending appeal
        If the Attorney General takes an appeal from such decision, the
      alien shall remain in custody, subject to the provisions of
      section 3142 of title 18.
    (b) Custody and removal
      (1) Custody
        If the judge decides that an alien shall be removed, the alien
      shall be detained pending the outcome of any appeal. After the
      conclusion of any judicial review thereof which affirms the
      removal order, the Attorney General shall retain the alien in
      custody and remove the alien to a country specified under
      paragraph (2).
      (2) Removal
        (A) In general
          The removal of an alien shall be to any country which the
        alien shall designate if such designation does not, in the
        judgment of the Attorney General, in consultation with the
        Secretary of State, impair the obligation of the United States
        under any treaty (including a treaty pertaining to extradition)
        or otherwise adversely affect the foreign policy of the United
        States.
        (B) Alternate countries
          If the alien refuses to designate a country to which the
        alien wishes to be removed or if the Attorney General, in
        consultation with the Secretary of State, determines that
        removal of the alien to the country so designated would impair
        a treaty obligation or adversely affect United States foreign
        policy, the Attorney General shall cause the alien to be
        removed to any country willing to receive such alien.
        (C) Continued detention
          If no country is willing to receive such an alien, the
        Attorney General may, notwithstanding any other provision of
        law, retain the alien in custody. The Attorney General, in
        coordination with the Secretary of State, shall make periodic
        efforts to reach agreement with other countries to accept such
        an alien and at least every 6 months shall provide to the
        attorney representing the alien at the removal hearing a
        written report on the Attorney General's efforts. Any alien in
        custody pursuant to this subparagraph shall be released from
        custody solely at the discretion of the Attorney General and
        subject to such conditions as the Attorney General shall deem
        appropriate.
        (D) Fingerprinting
          Before an alien is removed from the United States pursuant to
        this subsection, or pursuant to an order of removal because
        such alien is inadmissible under section 1182(a)(3)(B) of this
        title, the alien shall be photographed and fingerprinted, and
        shall be advised of the provisions of section 1326(b) of this
        title.
    (c) Continued detention pending trial
      (1) Delay in removal
        The Attorney General may hold in abeyance the removal of an
      alien who has been ordered removed, pursuant to this subchapter,
      to allow the trial of such alien on any Federal or State criminal
      charge and the service of any sentence of confinement resulting
      from such a trial.
      (2) Maintenance of custody
        Pending the commencement of any service of a sentence of
      confinement by an alien described in paragraph (1), such an alien
      shall remain in the custody of the Attorney General, unless the
      Attorney General determines that temporary release of the alien
      to the custody of State authorities for confinement in a State
      facility is appropriate and would not endanger national security
      or public safety.
      (3) Subsequent removal
        Following the completion of a sentence of confinement by an
      alien described in paragraph (1), or following the completion of
      State criminal proceedings which do not result in a sentence of
      confinement of an alien released to the custody of State
      authorities pursuant to paragraph (2), such an alien shall be
      returned to the custody of the Attorney General who shall proceed
      to the removal of the alien under this subchapter.
    (d) Application of certain provisions relating to escape of
      prisoners
      For purposes of sections 751 and 752 of title 18, an alien in the
    custody of the Attorney General pursuant to this subchapter shall
    be subject to the penalties provided by those sections in relation
    to a person committed to the custody of the Attorney General by
    virtue of an arrest on a charge of a felony.
    (e) Rights of aliens in custody
      (1) Family and attorney visits
        An alien in the custody of the Attorney General pursuant to
      this subchapter shall be given reasonable opportunity, as
      determined by the Attorney General, to communicate with and
      receive visits from members of the alien's family, and to
      contact, retain, and communicate with an attorney.
      (2) Diplomatic contact
        An alien in the custody of the Attorney General pursuant to
      this subchapter shall have the right to contact an appropriate
      diplomatic or consular official of the alien's country of
      citizenship or nationality or of any country providing
      representation services therefore. The Attorney General shall
      notify the appropriate embassy, mission, or consular office of
      the alien's detention.



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