STATEMENT OF BARBARA COMSTOCK, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS,
REGARDING THE SIXTH CIRCUIT OPINION IN DETROIT FREE PRESS V. ASHCROFT:

"As the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals recognized today, the government has a compelling interest in preventing terrorism and closing immigration proceedings that could reveal information that allows 'terrorist organizations to alter their patterns of activity to find the most effective means of evading detection' (see opinion at 43-46). However, the Justice Department disagrees with the Court's conclusion that the Department's guidelines for determining which proceedings should be closed are too broad. The Justice Department has an obligation to exercise all available options to disrupt and prevent terrorism within the bounds of the Constitution, and will review today's opinion in light of our duty to protect the American people."

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