Quiroz v. Mullin, et al.

Circuit 10Jun 30, 2026

Split Score

SplitScore: 70/100

Case Summary

Disposition

Reversed

The Tenth Circuit held that 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A) applies only to non-citizens encountered at the border, not to those arrested inside the United States. Therefore, petitioner Rigoberto Santillan Quiroz, detained in Oklahoma awaiting removal proceedings, falls under § 1226(a) and is entitled to a bond hearing. The court reversed the district court’s denial of habeas relief and remanded for prompt bond proceedings or release.

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Circuit Split Identified

Legal Issue

Whether 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A) mandates bond-less detention for non-citizens found in the interior of the United States who have not been admitted, or whether such individuals are instead detained under § 1226(a) and may seek bond.

Circuit Positions

Circuit 2Circuit 6Circuit 10(this circuit)Circuit 11

§ 1225(b)(2)(A) applies only at the border; interior detainees fall under § 1226(a) and may request bond.

Circuit 5Circuit 8

§ 1225(b)(2)(A) applies to all unadmitted non-citizens, including those arrested in the interior; detention is mandatory and bond is unavailable.

Conflict Summary

The Second, Sixth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits construe § 1225(b)(2)(A) as limited to non-citizens ‘seeking admission’ at the border, leaving interior arrests to § 1226(a) with bond eligibility. The Fifth and Eighth Circuits read ‘applicant for admission’ to encompass all unadmitted non-citizens, wherever found, thereby requiring mandatory detention without bond under § 1225(b)(2)(A).

Parties & Counsel

Parties

Appellant:Rigoberto Santillan Quiroz
Appellee:Markwayne Mullin, Todd Blanche, Joshua Johnson, and Scarlet Grant

Legal Counsel

Appellant:American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (My Khanh Ngo, Michael K.T. Tan, Oscar Sarabia Roman, Judy Rabinovitz, Natalie Behr, Timothy R. Macdonald, Scott C. Medlock, Megan Lambert, Travis D. Handler, Kelli Stump)
Appellee:U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Immigration Litigation (Drew C. Ensign, Brett A. Shumate, Keith I. McManus, Anthony J. Nardi)