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CNN Live At Daybreak

Supreme Court Expected to Rule on Imprisoning Aliens in Lieu of Deportation

Aired June 28, 2001 - 07:09   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: In the nation's capital, the Supreme Court has another immigration case on its docket, as well as some other unfinished business before adjourning.

Senior Washington correspondent Charles Bierbauer joins us live, with more on that.

Charles, what are you expecting today?

CHARLES BIERBAUER, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: We're expecting to get the remaining opinions from the Supreme Court, that they should clear their desks today, before taking a summer recess.

One of the cases that we're anticipating getting a ruling on is an immigration case, but very different from the Elian Gonzalez case. In this instance, it's a question of whether and how long U.S. immigration officials may imprison aliens that they intend to deport when there is no place to send them.

Here are the details in this somewhat unusual case.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BIERBAUER (voice-over): Gastudes Adirdas (ph) was born in a German displaced person's camp, after World War II. His family came to the United States when he was eight, but he never became a citizen. The United States wants to deport Adirdas (ph), now 52, because of repeated crimes committed here.

UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Robbery, attempted robbery -- you know, I was 17 years old. I mean, you know, I did things. I was young and stupid.

BIERBAUER: In 1994, after Adirdas (ph) served a drug sentence in Virginia, the Immigration and Naturalization Service was waiting.

UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I didn't even get outside the street. They were waiting for me right inside the prison.

BIERBAUER: Federal law requires deportation within 90 days after an order is final. But Adirdas (ph) is stateless. Germany does not want him back. The law would allow the INS to keep Adirdas (ph) locked up indefinitely as a threat to society. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: After five years, I just wanted out. You know, give me my freedom. I told the judge send me to the moon.

BIERBAUER: The judge ruled if there was no hope of deportation, Adirdas (ph) could rejoin his family, which now includes a new grandson.

The court also decided the case of Kim Ho Mah (ph), a Cambodian, convicted as a teenager of manslaughter in a gang shooting. Cambodia won't take Mah (ph) back.

Thousands of other aliens in similar circumstances sit in U.S. prisons, many from Cuba and Southeast Asia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

So the rulings in these two cases before the court could have broader implications for others who are similarly imprisoned with no place to go.

One of the other rulings that we're looking for today deals with whether the state of Massachusetts, or for that matter any state, may impose limitations on tobacco advertising in close proximity to schools and public parks. The tobacco companies say Federal law should govern this and not the states.

We should get the court's rulings on these and a couple of other cases at about 10 o'clock this morning -- Carol.

LIN: Thank you very much, Charles Beirbauer.

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