Weekly roundup: redistricting, immigration, and other Supreme Court matters
The newsletter recaps a busy week at the Supreme Court during its summer recess. It covers the ongoing Missouri redistricting fight, several immigration appeals from the Trump administration, and other emergency requests. The roundup also notes upcoming court activity and a live event for SCOTUSblog Plus members.
During the justices’ summer break, emergency filings kept arriving. Missouri’s Republican-leaning congressional map returned to the Court for a third time; challengers want it blocked before November, and the papers are complete. The Trump administration also pressed immigration matters, including a third request on removals to countries not named in removal orders, plus two Monday petitions about bond hearings and a district court’s power over Badar Khan Suri’s detention challenge. A DHS database dispute over voter rolls awaits a ruling.
Justice Kagan turned down a pause request in a California surrogate custody conflict. The Court will unofficially open its 2026-27 term Monday with the long conference. SCOTUSblog Plus members have a live AMA Oct. 5.
The outcomes could affect Missouri voters, who may face uncertainty about which congressional map and ballot to use as absentee voting proceeds. Immigration rulings may shape detention and bond procedures for noncitizens, while the custody dispute could influence surrogacy arrangements. Because many matters arrive on emergency dockets, the Court’s choices may also affect how quickly lower courts and election officials can act.