Overview
- The Supreme Court issued two 6–3 decisions that, together, allow the government to revoke Temporary Protected Status for nationals of some countries and to deny asylum to people who have not crossed into U.S. territory.
- The court's June 25 rulings clear the way for the administration to move forward on ending TPS protections that could affect about 350,000 Haitians and roughly 6,000 Syrians and that may touch more than one million people if other designations are ended.
- Three liberal justices dissented, saying statements by the president and selective enforcement show evidence of racial motive, while the conservative majority said the law treats TPS as a temporary measure and the government acted within its authority.
- Practical hurdles remain before deportations would take place because agencies must act, lower courts may reopen related matters, and removal depends on foreign governments accepting returnees and on the safety and logistics of sending people back to Haiti, Syria or other countries.
- The White House hailed the rulings as victories and the administration has already signaled plans to withdraw TPS for nationals of about eleven more countries, a move likely to prompt further legal challenges and humanitarian concern.