The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday reversed a ruling by a federal judge in Nevada that struck down a U.S. deportation law as racist and unconstitutional. The appeals court ruled that the law known as Section 1326 ”is facially neutral as to race." Section 1326 of the Immigration and Nationality Act makes it a crime to return to the U.S. after deportation, removal or denied admission. The court’s decision is a blow for advocates who hoped to see major changes to the nation’s immigration system after U.S. Judge Miranda Du dismissed an illegal reentry charge in 2021 against a Mexican immigrant. Du said Section 1326 violated the man's constitutional rights and is discriminatory against Latinos. The Justice Department quickly appealed.
