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American Morning

Decision Day for Supreme Court

Aired June 28, 2001 - 09:20   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We are expecting some key decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court before the justices wrap up their current session.

Let's check in on some of those with our senior Washington correspondent Charles Bierbauer. He is at the Supreme Court today where we usually find him.

Charles, good morning.

CHARLES BIERBAUER, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

It's the one day when you can say with some confidence what to expect from the court as it wraps up its term.

There's an interesting immigration case that could affect hundreds, if not thousands, of detainees being held by the U.S. Immigration Service pending deportation -- the question is to where? While the thousands are in generally similar circumstances, the facts in this particular case before the court are unusual.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(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, 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 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 is stateless. Germany does not want him back. The law would allow the INS to keep Adirdas 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 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 back.

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

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BIERBAUER: Another case that we're watching closely questions whether the state of Massachusetts may impose limitations on tobacco advertising in close proximity to schools and public parks. Tobacco companies say that that should be covered by federal law and not by individual states.

Those opinions due at 10:00 this morning.

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