[libertylover]

Seriously though, how long can someone be held legally without being charged?

[piasa]

For noncitizens, as long as hostilities last.

[CholeraJoe]

Seriously though, how long can someone be held legally without being charged?

Foreign nationals deemed enemy combatants can be held indefinitely. There are 600 or more in Gitmo.

[SuziQ]

Seriously though, how long can someone be held legally without being charged?

For the ones who've been here a while, if they're not yet citizens, they could probably be charged with consipracy to commit terrorist acts. For those here on student visas, etc, they could be picked up on suspicion of illegal entry and held until the paperwork is cleared up.

Either way, it works for me! It will keep them off the streets and out of mischief for a while.

[expatpat]

They are not going to be charged. They have applied for political asylum -- it is common practice to hold such people until they either receive asylum or are returned to their country of origin if asylum is denied.