Does being a designated foreign national mean automatic detention with no review?

No, being designated does not mean detention with no review at all, though it does mean a different and more restrictive set of rules applies compared to other detained non-citizens. Designated foreign nationals generally face detention as a starting point tied to the designation itself, but the law still provides for review of that detention, even if the schedule and standard applied differ from the ordinary detention review process.

This distinction matters because people sometimes assume a designation removes any possibility of review entirely, which isn't accurate, though it is also true that the review process for designated individuals is structured differently and can be less frequent, at least initially, than what applies to other detained people. The underlying reasons for the designation, and the specific facts of the person's case, still matter to how the review process unfolds.

Because the rules affecting designated foreign nationals are more restrictive and less familiar than the ordinary detention review process, and because getting the timing and arguments right matters even more in this context, anyone who has been designated, or believes they may be, should get specialized legal advice immediately about exactly what review rights and timelines apply to their specific situation.