BOSTON — The highest court in Massachusetts has ruled that state court officers do not have the authority to detain people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally at the request of federal immigration officials if that person is not facing criminal charges.

The Supreme Judicial Court in a decision released Monday said state law "provides no authority for Massachusetts court officers to arrest and hold an individual solely on the basis of a Federal civil immigration detainer."

The decision was in the case of Sreynuon Lunn, born to Cambodian parents, who was in state custody on an unarmed robbery charges. The charge was dismissed on Feb. 6.

After the charge was dismissed, he was held by court officers at Boston Municipal Court until an immigration officer took him into federal custody.