In its decision issued June 28, 2024, on the case of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, the US Supreme Court overturned the Chevron doctrine, a 40-year old precedent that had dictated how courts should interpret federal agency decisions and regulations. Possible key changes include:
- Reduced Deference from the Courts to Federal Agencies – courts may be less likely to defer and may instead exercise their own independent judgment in interpreting immigration laws.
- Increased Challenges to Agency Decisions – Immigrants and their advocates may find new avenues to challenge unfavorable agency decisions and interpretations of immigration laws that were previously protected by Chevron deference.
- Potential for Inconsistency – While courts may strive for consistency in their interpretations of immigration laws, the possibility of different rulings across different jurisdictions could introduce greater uncertainty into immigration law.