No. 22-23October Term 2022Decided Jun 22, 2023
Pugin v. Garland
The Supreme Court held that a state conviction for accessory after the fact to a felony qualifies as an offense relating to obstruction of justice under the Immigration and Nationality Act, making a noncitizen eligible for deportation.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Jun 22, 2023
- What it's about
The Supreme Court held that a state conviction for accessory after the fact to a felony qualifies as an offense relating to obstruction of justice under the Immigration and Nationality Act, making a noncitizen eligible for deportation. This classification applies even if no formal investigation or proceeding was pending at the time of the offense.
Question presented
Is Virginia’s offense of accessory after the fact to a felony an “offense relating to obstruction of justice” under the Immigration and Nationality Act?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit / Decision released Jun 22, 2023
- Area
Immigration
Timing
Decided June 22, 2023
The Court released its decision 66 days after oral argument on April 17, 2023. The median for cases argued in April is 58 days.
Documents
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Mar 30, 2026
- Method
- Methodology