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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Catholic Social Services, Inc. v. Reno
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A quick definition of Catholic Social Services, Inc. v. Reno:
Catholic Social Services, Inc. v. Reno was a court case about a rule that said illegal immigrants had to get permission from the government before leaving the United States, even for a short time. The immigrants sued the government, but the case went back and forth for many years. At one point, the court said the immigrants didn't have the right to sue, but later they won the case. However, the government changed the rule anyway.
A more thorough explanation:
Catholic Social Services, Inc. v. Reno (CSS) is a legal case that dealt with an immigration regulation requiring illegal immigrants to obtain approval from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) before leaving the United States, even for a brief, casual, and innocent absence.
In 1986, a group of illegal immigrants filed a class action lawsuit challenging the INS regulation. The case went through several rounds of litigation, including a U.S. Supreme Court decision in Reno v. Catholic Social Services. Ultimately, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in Catholic Social Services v. I.N.S. However, Congress later passed the LIFE Act, which amended the statute in favor of the plaintiffs.
This case illustrates the complex and often lengthy process of challenging government regulations through the legal system. It also highlights the role of Congress in shaping immigration policy through legislation.