New York Gov. Hochul's pardon ends Supreme Court case concerning bond rights for noncitizens

The Supreme Court was ready to hear oral arguments in a case concerning bond rights for noncitizens detained for lengthy periods, but the case has been ruled moot after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Democrat, pardoned the lawfully present immigrant at the center of the case. 

In late August, Hochul pardoned Keisy Guerrero Mariano, who had pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, a felony. Mariano was identified in court documents as "Keisy GM."

The Trump administration was appealing a lower court's decision, arguing that noncitizens, including those with green card status, do not have a legal right to a bond hearing for a prolonged detention if they have committed crimes that are grounds for mandatory deportation, Fox News reported. 

As a result of Hochul's pardon, Mariano is no longer deportable. Solicitor General John Sauer agreed Friday that the case is now moot, but he said the Trump administration will seek an "alternative vehicle" to challenge the Second Circuit's 2024 ruling that prolonged immigration detention can trigger a constitutional right to a bond hearing.