Key facts
- The US Supreme Court will hear cases on Trump's mandatory immigration detention policy.
- The court will consider the legality of deporting migrants to third countries.
- A challenge to state bans on assault-style rifles will be heard.
- Oil companies ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy face a climate change liability lawsuit from Boulder, Colorado.
- The court will hear arguments on voter restrictions in Arizona.
- Catholic entities are seeking exemption from Colorado's preschool nondiscrimination requirement regarding LGBT rights.
The US Supreme Court is set to address a series of high-profile cases during its new term, which commenced on Monday and is scheduled to conclude around the end of June. These cases cover a broad spectrum of critical issues, including the legality of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, challenges to bans on assault-style rifles, the financial liability of major oil companies for climate change, and disputes over voting rights and LGBT rights.
Among the immigration cases, the court will examine Trump's policy mandating detention for millions of undocumented immigrants during deportation proceedings, a departure from the previous interpretation of federal law allowing release on bond. Another immigration case concerns the administration's practice of deporting migrants to third countries without assessing potential harm, a policy that has already seen over 25,000 migrants sent to 29 nations.
In matters of gun rights, the court will consider a challenge to state prohibitions on assault-style rifles, such as AR-15s, which have been upheld by lower courts against Second Amendment claims. The court's decision could expand gun rights.
On climate change, ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy are appealing a lawsuit from Boulder, Colorado, which seeks to hold them liable for costs associated with mitigating climate change impacts. The suit alleges state law violations by the companies.
Regarding voting rights, the court will review Republican-backed restrictions in Arizona that would tighten proof-of-citizenship requirements and purge voter rolls, which a lower court had halted for violating federal law. The Trump administration has supported elements of this appeal, while critics argue the measures unfairly target minority and student voters.
In a case concerning LGBT rights, Catholic entities are seeking an exemption from Colorado's preschool funding program's nondiscrimination requirement, specifically objecting to the mandate that schools provide equal enrollment opportunities regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Additionally, the court will hear Apple's appeal to avoid being found in contempt in its ongoing legal battle with Epic Games over App Store practices. A separate case involves canned-coffee maker Rise Brewing's claim that PepsiCo's "Mtn Dew Rise" drink infringes on its trademarks.