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No. 23-334October Term 2023Decided Jun 21, 2024

Docket 23-334October Term 2023 (2023–2024)

Department of State, et al., Petitioners v. Sandra Muñoz, et al.

The Supreme Court held that a U.S. citizen does not have a fundamental liberty interest in having their noncitizen spouse admitted to the country, meaning the denial of a visa does not trigger procedural due process rights for the citizen spouse.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jun 21, 2024
Case Accepted
Arguments HeardApr 23, 2024
Decision ReleasedJun 21, 2024
What it's about

The Supreme Court held that a U.S. citizen does not have a fundamental liberty interest in having their noncitizen spouse admitted to the country, meaning the denial of a visa does not trigger procedural due process rights for the citizen spouse. The Court reversed the Ninth Circuit's decision, reinforcing the doctrine of consular nonreviewability regarding visa determinations.

Question presented

Does the denial of a visa to the non-citizen spouse of a U.S. citizen infringe on a constitutionally protected interest of the citizen and, if so, did the government properly justify that decision in this case?

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released Jun 21, 2024

Area

Decided Supreme Court case