Senate approves move of Guantanamo detainees to U.S.

Congress will allow the further transfer of detainees to the U.S. for trial

Published October 21, 2009 12:18AM (EDT)

The Senate voted Tuesday in favor of a measure, already approved by the House, that allows the administration to continue transferring detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. for trial. President Obama is expected to sign the bill.

There is one big restriction included in the legislation: The detainees may not allowed to be brought to the U.S. if it the transfer is done for the purpose of releasing them. Despite warnings from people who oppose the idea of closing the detention facility at Guantanamo, the administration is also against the concept of releasing former detainees here.

Congress may not have the last word on this, however. Also on Tuesday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that will ask the justices to decide whether detainees who are not considered a security risk can be freed in the U.S. The case was brought by 13 Chinese Muslims who were cleared for release six years ago but are still imprisoned at Guantanamo.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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