Detainees’ entry to U.S. blocked, for now

*The D.C. Circuit Court blocked, for at least eight days, the entry of 17 Guantanamo Bay detainees into the U.S., putting on hold a federal judge’s order for their release.  In a three-paragraph order** <http://www.scotusblog.com/wp/detainee-lawyers-seek-familiar-panel/#more-8027*>, the Circuit Court said it was issuing a stay only to give it more time to consider the Bush Administration’s not-yet-filed plea for a delay of the entry until it can pursue a full appeal.  The Court said its order “should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits” of the issue of a longer delay pending the appeal.***

*The Court, accepting a schedule suggested by the Justice Department when it sought a delay, set Friday as the deadline for the Department to file its “motion for stay pending appeal,” next Tuesday for the detainees’ response, and Thursday, Oct. 16, for the Department’s reply.***

*The stay order was issued by Circuit Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson, A. Raymond Randolph and Judith W. Rogers.*