Key Facts

• The Supreme Court decision allows the government to remove green card protections from residents who travel abroad with pending criminal accusations.
• The ruling was 6-3, with a conservative majority supporting the government’s power.
• Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote a dissent, calling the decision a "blank check" for executive overreach.
• The case involved Muk Choi Lau, a lawful permanent resident accused of trademark counterfeiting when reentering the U.S. in 2012.
• Lau’s argument was that the government needed strong evidence of a crime at reentry, not just an accusation, but the Supreme Court disagreed.
• Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for the majority, said border officials must make fast decisions and suspicion is enough to block reentry.
• The ruling supports President Donald Trump’s previous immigration policies that give more power to the executive branch.
• The Supreme Court is also reviewing other immigration cases, including those on birthright citizenship and asylum rules.