That didn't take long.
The Ninth Circuit holds oral argument in this case yesterday morning. It's the last case on the calendar. Here's the oral argument.
The panel listens to oral argument, steps back, and then decides the case and assigns an opinion to be prepared.
Then, minutes later, the panel issues the following order:
"For reasons to be set forth in a disposition which will follow in due course, we grant Medina–Lara’s petition for review because the government did not meet its burden to show that his California convictions constitute predicate offenses for purposes of removability under 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2). We, therefore, order the United States to release Medina–Lara from custody immediately."
Petitioner's been detained for five years. Not a day longer. Petitioner's counsel ends his argument with a request for a short-form order, and that's exactly what he receives.
Speedy justice.
