The Bush Administration on Monday said that immigrants arrested in the United States may be held indefinitely on suspicion of terrorism and may not challenge their imprisonment in civilian courts.
The Justice Department has said a new anti-terrorism law that is being used to hold detainees in Guantanamo Bay also applies to foreigners captured and held in the United States.
The new law, signed in October, strips foreigners of the right to challenge their detention in federal courts.
Aliens normally have the right to contest their imprisonment, such as when they are arrested on immigration violations or for other crimes.
The new law says that 'enemy combatants' will be tried before military commissions, not a civilian judge or jury, and establishes different rules of evidence in the cases. It also prohibits detainees from challenging their detention in civilian court.
The Justice Department has defended that the law is constitutional and necessary.
Government attorneys said foreign fighters arrested as part of an overseas military action have no constitutional rights and are being afforded more legal rights than ever.