A divided U.S. appeals court on Thursday restricted the Trump administration's ability to subject thousands of immigrants to mandatory detention while their deportation proceedings are pending, saying they cannot be held past 90 days unless they are granted a hearing to seek release on bond. The ruling, opens new tab by a 2-1 panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could affect thousands of individuals who have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in states within the court's jurisdiction, including Texas and Louisiana, as part of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

Four appeals courts have ruled against the administration’s policy of mandatory detention, and two have backed it. The Supreme Court could hear the issue next.

The ruling could affect thousands of individuals who have been detained in states like Texas and Louisiana