In a pivotal Supreme Court session on January 8, 2024, the justices heard arguments in the case of Campos-Chaves v. Garland, which could significantly impact immigration law and the enforcement of removal orders. The case centers on noncitizens who failed to attend their removal hearings despite receiving written notices detailing the time and place of those hearings.

During the proceedings, attorney Mister McLeod argued that the Ninth Circuit's ruling, which allows noncitizens to rescind their removal orders based on claims of inadequate notice, undermines established legal frameworks. He emphasized that this interpretation could disrupt hundreds of thousands of removal orders issued over nearly three decades.

McLeod contended that the Ninth Circuit misinterpreted the statutory requirements regarding notice. He pointed out that Congress designed two distinct forms of notice, both of which serve as valid grounds for in absentia removal. The removal orders in question were based on notices that clearly specified the new time and place for hearings and warned noncitizens of the consequences of their absence.

The outcome of this case could reshape the landscape of immigration enforcement, particularly regarding how notices are issued and the validity of removal orders. As the justices deliberate, the implications of their decision will be closely watched by legal experts and community advocates alike, as it may set a precedent affecting countless individuals facing removal proceedings.