Today, the Supreme Court upheld a fundamental principle of our Constitution: Children born in the United States are citizens, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

For millions of immigrant families, that’s relief and certainty.

But today’s ruling is just the latest in what’s been a consequential Supreme Court term for immigrants and refugees.

In the last several weeks, the Court has handed the federal government more authority over immigration enforcement while making it harder for immigrants and refugees to challenge those decisions.

Temporary Protected Status (Mullin v. Doe)

The Court allowed the administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and Syria, putting hundreds of thousands of people at risk of losing their protection from deportation, and making future TPS terminations harder to challenge in court.

Asylum at the border (Mullin v. Al Otro Lado)

The Court ruled that people who present themselves at the U.S.-Mexico border but are kept on the Mexican side haven’t legally “arrived” in the U.S., and so aren’t entitled to seek asylum under federal law.

The decision gives border officials broader authority over who gets to start the asylum process.

Lawful permanent residents (Blanche v. Muk Choi Lau)

The Court gave immigration authorities more flexibility to place lawful permanent residents in deportation proceedings after they return from international travel if they are accused but not convicted of a crime.

For green card holders, it’s another reminder that even routine travel abroad can carry significant legal consequences.

And they’re not done, either. More cases are slated for next year.

The justices have already agreed to hear cases next term on whether some refugees who lose asylum status can still become lawful permanent residents, whether immigrants who successfully fight unlawful detention can recover attorney’s fees, including the constitutionality of prolonged immigrant detention. More cases touching on citizenship, voting, and enforcement are also on the horizon.

So much of our immigration policy is now being decided in the courts. And the reality is, the system keeps getting more complicated for immigrants and refugees while the stakes keep getting higher.

That’s exactly why families deserve legal representation they can trust and rely on.

Every day, CIRA’s attorneys and advocates help families understand their rights, manage a system that keeps shifting under their feet, and stand beside them during the most important moments of their lives.