Oral Argument: GEO Group v. Menocal | Sovereign Immunity Appeal Fast Pass

Geo Group, Inc. v. Menocal | Case No. 24-758 | Oral Argument Date: 11/10/25 | Docket Link: Here

Overview

Today, the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Geo Group versus Menocal, which examines whether derivative sovereign immunity creates a fast-pass to appeal. Detainees sue a private contractor running an ICE facility, claiming forced labor—the company says "the government told me to do it" and wants to skip straight to appeal after the trial court found that the contractor held no derivative sovereign immunity. Must government contractors face years of expensive, potentially politically-motivated litigation first, or can they appeal immediately?

Oral Advocates:

• For Petitioner (GEO Group): Dominic E. Draye, Washington, D.C.
• For Respondent (Menocal): Jennifer D. Bennett, San Francisco, California.
• For United States as Amicus Curiae (Supporting Respondent): Sopan Joshi, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

Link to Opinion: TBD.

Website Link to Opinion Summary: TBD.

Website Link to Oral Argument: TBD.

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Case Preview

[00:00:55] Argument Begins

[00:01:03] Petitioner Opening Statement

[00:02:44] Petitioner Free for All Questions

[00:26:30] Petitioner Round Robin Questions

[00:26:42] Respondent Opening Statement

[00:29:02] Respondent Free for All Questions

[00:45:37] Respondent Round Robin Questions

[00:45:47] United States as Amicus Opening Statement

[00:47:24] United States as Amicus Free for All Questions

[00:54:02] United States as Amicus Round Robin Questions

[00:54:09] Petitioner Rebuttal