The United States Supreme Court has ruled in favour of President Donald Trump in a key immigration case, affirming the federal government’s authority to refuse entry to asylum seekers when border crossings are deemed overcrowded and unable to process additional claims.
In a 6–3 decision led by the court’s conservative justices, the ruling overturned a lower court judgment which had found the policy inconsistent with federal law. The decision marks a significant legal win for Trump’s administration as it continues to pursue stricter border control measures.
At the centre of the case is the controversial “metering” policy, which allows immigration officers to turn away asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border when facilities are under pressure. The policy had previously been discontinued under former President Joe Biden but may now be revived following the court’s ruling.
The court also examined whether migrants stopped on the Mexican side of the border could be considered as having “arrived” in the United States under immigration law. Justice Samuel Alito, delivering the majority opinion, ruled that they could not, stating that arrival only occurs once a person physically enters US territory.
However, the decision drew strong opposition from the court’s liberal justices. Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned in her dissent that the ruling could lead to serious humanitarian consequences, arguing it may effectively prevent vulnerable individuals from accessing the asylum system.
She further cautioned that the judgment could increase risks for migrants forced to remain outside the US border, potentially exposing them to dangerous conditions and exploitation while attempting to seek protection.
The ruling comes amid broader legal battles over immigration policies introduced under Trump’s return to office, including efforts to limit entry at the southern border and review humanitarian protection statuses for hundreds of thousands of migrants.
Advocacy groups and legal representatives have sharply criticised the decision, warning it could weaken long-standing asylum protections and shift immigration enforcement powers further towards the executive branch.
The Supreme Court is expected to deliver further rulings on additional immigration-related policies in the coming weeks, including challenges linked to birthright citizenship and deportation authority.
