rexiSotomayor: majority’s opinion would allow the Trump administration to block people from applying for asylum at the border, which would result in more deaths. The decision “regrettably and tragically extinguishes the light of the torch of the Statue of Liberty.”
court's public information office:
"Justice Alito was notified in advance by Justice Sotomayor's chambers that she would be reading a dissent from the bench. It was a misunderstanding on Justice Alito's part."
Supreme Court disagreements in public view as major rulings loom
Tensions are evident in a rare display among the Supreme Court justices at the end of the term. On Thursday, conservative Justice Samuel Alito read a majority ruling limiting asylum claims at the southern border. Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor then read her dissent, highlighting the struggles of asylum seekers and referencing a historical tragedy involving Jewish refugees in 1939. Alito, surprised by her dissent, defended the majority's decision, emphasizing policy continuity across administrations. This exchange comes as the court prepares to release more significant opinions next week. Tensions have surfaced before, with Sotomayor previously apologizing to Justice Brett Kavanaugh for past remarks.