Lawyers for ‘Dreamer’ Seek His Release at Friday Hearing

SEATTLE (AP) — Lawyers are asking a federal court in Seattle to order the immediate release of a man detained by immigration agents despite his participation in a federal program to protect those brought to the U.S. illegally. But the U.S. Justice Department says the court has no authority over the case.

In documents filed Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said there is "no legal basis for a district court to consider any challenge" to the detention of 23-year-old Daniel Ramirez Medina in part because his case is pending in immigration court.

A federal magistrate scheduled a status conference on Ramirez's case for Friday morning.

Ramirez's arrest last week has thrust him into a national debate over the immigration priorities of President Donald Trump.