The Constitution
Suspension Clause
Habeas corpus may not be suspended unless rebellion or invasion makes it necessary for public safety. The clause sits in Article I, among limits on Congress.
In full
Its placement implies that suspension is Congress's call, though Lincoln suspended habeas unilaterally in 1861 and Congress ratified the action in 1863. It has been suspended only a handful of times in American history. Boumediene v. Bush (2008) held that the clause reached detainees at Guantanamo Bay.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.