WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Justice said Tuesday that it will deny certain undocumented immigrants a bond hearing to argue for their release.
"An alien who is transferred from expedited removal proceedings to full removal proceedings after establishing a credible fear of persecution or torture is ineligible for release on bond," Attorney General William Barr wrote in a ruling.
"Such an alien must be detained until his removal proceedings conclude, unless he is granted parole," he added.
The ruling, which will take effect in 90 days, states a previous decision that allows asylum-seekers to be released on bond while their case is being heard by an immigration judge was incorrect.
Only the Department of Homeland Security has the authority to release the asylum-seekers, Barr said.
Some asylum-seekers are exempted from the directive, including families and unaccompanied migrant children.
Barr's opinion came shortly after a federal judge in the state of Washington ruled that certain asylum-seekers who request a hearing before an immigration judge must be granted that hearing within seven days or be released.
It also came amid a legal battle on the Trump administration's policy requiring asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while their cases are under consideration.
A federal judge last week issued an injunction against the measure, but the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay for that order as it considers the administration's appeal.