Supreme Court Backs Trump on Two Immigration Policies

The U.S. Supreme Court issued two major rulings on June 25, 2026, granting the Trump administration significant authority to enforce hardline immigration policies. The decisions, both decided by a 6–3 conservative majority, allow the government to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians, and to reject asylum seekers at the southern border before they set foot on U.S. soil.

TPS Termination

The Court ruled that federal courts cannot review the administration's decision to end TPS for Haiti and Syria. The program, created in 1990, provided legal status to those fleeing war or disaster. Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the majority that the law bars judicial review. In dissent, Justice Elena Kagan cited Trump's derogatory comments about Haitians, arguing "race entered into the determination" Source: clarin. The ruling leaves the door open for deportations, though many TPS holders have no removal orders yet Source: infobae.

Asylum Metering Policy

The Court upheld the administration's ability to turn away asylum seekers at ports of entry, ruling that migrants in Mexico do not "arrive" in the U.S. until they physically cross the border. Alito wrote: "An alien 'arrives in the United States' only when he crosses the border" Source: cnn. This policy, known as metering, allows border agents to limit daily asylum claims. Dissenting liberal justices argued it violates federal law requiring processing of anyone at the border Source: clarin.

Broader Context

These victories strengthen Trump's agenda as the Court prepares to rule on birthright citizenship. Advocates for immigrants condemned the decisions as a break from U.S. tradition Source: infobae. The rulings underscore the Court's deference to executive power on immigration.