Supreme Court Justices Alito and Sotomayur clash over asylum ruling

The Court issued a 6‑3 decision in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado, holding that migrants stopped on the Mexican side of the border have not “arrived” in the United States and therefore are not eligible for asylum. Justice Sonia Sotomayor read a spoken dissent, invoking the 1939 MS St. Louis tragedy and saying the ruling “regrettably and tragically extinguishes the light of the torch of the Statue of Liberty.” Justice Samuel Alito responded on the bench, later remarking, “There is much that I would have added to my bench statement had I known there would be a dissent read.” The Court later said Alito’s surprise was “a misunderstanding” because Sotomayor’s chambers had notified him in advance. The exchange, witnessed by other justices, underscored growing ideological tension as the Court approaches the end of its term and prepares to release further high‑profile opinions on immigration, birthright citizenship and presidential power.