Justice Clarence Thomas led a majority on the Supreme Court on Tuesday in allowing federal immigration officials to deny green-card holders who have committed serious crimes the ability to reenter the United States, one of several key immigration rulings set to be handed down by the high court this week.
The ruling in Blanche v. Lau involves what standard is necessary for determining if a legal permanent resident who has committed a crime should be denied admission into the country and therefore subject to removal proceedings. Thomas, who turned 78 on Tuesday, wrote the 6-3 majority opinion, ruling that the Department of Homeland Security does not need “clear and convincing evidence” to determine if a green-card holder should be considered an “applicant for admission” because he or she committed a crime “involving moral turpitude.” The ruling will make it easier for immigration officials to deny entry and remove criminal immigrants.
