Federal judge blocks Barr order on indefinite detention for asylum seekers

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked an order from Attorney General William Barr that stated certain asylum seekers can be detained indefinitely.
U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman in Washington state wrote that it was "unconstitutional" to deny asylum seekers a bond hearing while they wait for their asylum claims to be processed.
“It is the finding of this Court that it is unconstitutional to deny these class members a bond hearing while they await a final determination of their asylum request,” Pechman, a Clinton appointee, wrote in her ruling.

The judge had issued a preliminary injunction earlier this year that required asylum seekers who are given a hearing in their proceedings to be released within seven days after that hearing is granted.
The Trump administration had asked her to dismiss that ruling, after Barr issued his new asylum order. But Pechman rejected the request in her order on Tuesday, finding that the policy implemented by Barr’s order was unconstitutional.
The attorney general had written in the order, issued in April, that asylum seekers who are able to demonstrate a "credible fear" and are sent to full deportation proceedings cannot be released on bond.