The Department of Justice 's Board of Immigration Appeals ruled on Friday that migrants who are believed to have entered the United States illegally are not eligible to be released on bail with a bond, if such a measure is approved by an immigration judge.

Newsweek contacted the Department of Justice for comment on Saturday via an online inquiry form outside of regular office hours.

Why It Matters

The board's ruling overturns previous Justice Department policy which meant anyone suspected of entering the U.S. illegally, but who could prove they have been living in the country for two years, was entitled to request an immigration judge to release them on bond.

This new ruling could result in many thousands of additional alleged illegal migrants being held in detention while their

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