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Detainees Now Have Access to Federal Court

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Another former administration official said the habeas cases could take years to resolve.

Richard Murphy and Brian Spahn, lawyers who represent six Yemeni detainees at Guantanamo Bay, said their clients are likely to be skeptical of the ruling because they have seen little progress following three prior Supreme Court victories.

"What we will ask the court to do, assuming the government cannot produce evidence that warrants their continued detention, is to order the government to release them and do what is necessary to return them to their home," Murphy said.

About 200 habeas cases are pending in the U.S. District Court in Washington, involving 250 Guantanamo Bay detainees, court officials said. Legal experts said they expect a flurry of motions in coming days.

Analysts said the judges have a complicated task, involving the possibility that detainees will want to attend the hearings. Judges may have to set up video conferences for them at Guantanamo Bay or travel there.

Staff researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report.

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