Executive Order re Thomson Correction Center; Hatim v. Bush

1. Executive Order Directing the Attorney General to Acquire the Thomson Correction Center

Available here.  And for an interesting assessment of whether relocation of a detainee from GTMO to the TCC would require refilling that person’s habeas petition in the Northern District of Illinois, see the take provided here by Steve Vladeck (his answer: probably not).  And if you are dying for more commentary on the pros-cons of the TCC development, check out the debate underway at NYT’s Room for Debate blog, here.

2. Hatim v. Bush (D.D.C. Dec. 16, 2009) (granting habeas to GTMO petitioner)

Meanwhile, habeas review of individual GTMO detainee cases continues.  After a win for the government that I reported yesterday, today brings a defeat.  Judge Urbina has granted habeas relief to Hatim (Case No. 05-cv-1429), according to a notice placed on the docket today.  The opinion explaining the ruling at this point is classified; I’ll circulate the unclassified version if and when it becomes available.