533US2
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[10-21-02 18:35:10] PAGES PGT: OPIN
ZADVYDAS v. DAVIS
Kennedy, J., dissenting
dures to determine and to review the status-required detention go far toward this objective.
By regulations, promulgated after notice and comment,
the Attorney General has given structure to the discretion
delegated by the INA in order to ensure fairness and regularity in INS detention decisions. First, the INS provides
for an initial postcustody review, before the expiration of the
90-day removal period, at which a district director conducts
a record review. 8 CFR § 241.4 (2001). The alien is entitled
to present any relevant information in support of release,
and the district director has the discretion to interview the
alien for a personal evaluation. § 241.4(h)(1). At the end of
the 90-day period, the alien, if held in custody, is transferred
to a postorder detention unit at INS headquarters, which in
the ordinary course will conduct an initial custody review
within three months of the transfer. § 241.4(k)(2)(ii). If the
INS determines the alien should remain in detention, a twomember panel of INS officers interviews the alien and makes
a recommendation to INS headquarters. §§ 241.4(i)(1)–(3).
The regulations provide an extensive, nonexhaustive list of
factors that should be considered in the recommendation to
release or further detain. Those include: “[t]he nature and
number of disciplinary infractions”; “the detainee’s criminal
conduct and criminal convictions, including consideration of
the nature and severity of the alien’s convictions, sentences
imposed and time actually served, probation and criminal parole history, evidence of recidivism, and other criminal history”; “psychiatric and psychological reports pertaining to
the detainee’s mental health”; “[e]vidence of rehabilitation”;
“[f]avorable factors, including ties to the United States such
as the number of close relatives”; “[p]rior immigration violations and history”; “[t]he likelihood that the alien is a significant flight risk or may abscond to avoid removal, including
history of escapes”; and any other probative information.
§ 241.4(f). Another review must occur within one year, with
mandatory evaluations each year thereafter; if the alien re-