Federal Nationwide Decisions
DEFERRED ACTION for CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of former President Barrack Obama’s policy regarding undocumented immigrants who came in the U.S. under 16 years of age (the “Dreamers”). The court rejected the current administration’s attempt to terminate the program.
LGBTQ RIGHTS The Court also ruled that the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibited employment discrimination based on sex, applies to bias based on an employee’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
ELECTORAL COLLEGE The Court unanimously agreed that states have the right to insist that members of the Electoral College must support the winner of the popular vote, rather than potentially independently deciding on whom to cast their vote.
ABORTION RESTRICTIONS A Louisiana law has been ruled unconstitutional. The law required that physicians performing abortions must have admitting privileges to nearby hospitals. Chief Justice John Roberts cast the deciding vote. His vote was in respect to a 2016 decision wherein a nearly identical Texas law was struck down by the Court. KEYSTONE PIPELINE The Court has also ruled that several pending energy pipelines may move forward while environmental assessments continue. However, the Court specifically excluded the Keystone Pipeline from their order, meaning they must still abide by the lengthy environmental review process.