Supreme Court News: Recusal in Climate Case, New Filings on Inmate Policy and Deportations, Term Start Approaches

Why it matters locally: The Supreme Court is being asked to review a Massachusetts federal judge's ruling that currently prevents the Trump administration from deporting noncitizens to countries not specified in their original removal orders, a process known as "third-country removals."

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court announced Monday that Justice Samuel Alito will no longer participate in *Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County*, a climate change case scheduled for argument next week. The Court did not provide a reason for the recusal. On the same day, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to intervene in a dispute over the Federal Bureau of Prisons' policy regarding healthcare and accommodations for transgender inmates. This move places the issue on the Court's interim docket. The administration seeks to block a lower court order that prevents the enforcement of a new policy. This policy prohibits gender-transition surgeries, hormone therapy, and social accommodations for transgender inmates, reversing a previous stance. Also on Monday, lawyers representing immigrants challenged the Trump administration's request for Supreme Court intervention in cases involving "third-country removals." This process involves deporting noncitizens to countries not specified in their original removal orders. The challengers urged the Court to uphold a Massachusetts federal judge's ruling that currently bars the government from these removals. Trina Realmuto of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance stated the ruling requires the administration "to do so lawfully." Earlier in the week, the justices held their annual "long conference" to review petitions for review accumulated during the summer recess. The Court is expected to release a list of cases granted from this conference later this week. Separately, on Thursday, the Trump administration formally asked the Supreme Court to intervene in the broader legal battle surrounding third-country removals. The challengers responded to this request on Monday. The Supreme Court's 2026-27 term is set to officially begin next Monday, October 5. The justices will hear two oral arguments on the opening day.