A new Supreme Court term begins with cases on climate change, immigration and gun rights

In practice, a new Supreme Court term begins with.

Key points

• Elections Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press, Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press August 25, 2026.
• News Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press, Fatima Hussein, Associated Press June 26, 2026.
• The Labor Department documented Friday that hiring dropped from a revised 133, 000 in August.
• Adds disappointing 29, 000 jobs and unemployment ticks up to 4.2% in September.
• FILE- Light illuminates part of the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov.

In practice, a new Supreme Court term begins with cases on climate change, immigration and gun rights. By: Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press – October 5, 2026.

FILE- Light illuminates part of the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File).

In December, the court will consider challenges to assault weapons bans in a number of states. The court will additionally hear two immigration cases with implications for President Donald Trump's policies, including deportations and mandatory detention.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court's new term begins Monday with cases on climate change, religious rights and President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration high on the agenda. Here's a look at what's in store.

In practice, the high court is starting its term with a major climate change case. The justices will hear an appeal from energy firms trying to block dozens of lawsuits seeking to hold them liable in court for damage related to climate change.

Billions of dollars are potentially at stake in a case out of Boulder, Colorado, where local authorities say the industry should assist shoulder the escalating costs of disasters linked to climate change.

For context, the firms, Suncor and ExxonMobil, say lawsuits aren't the way to agreement with the global matter. They have the backing of the Trump administration. It argues the litigation is a power grab intended to impose regulations on emissions.

Regarding a dozen states have banned semiautomatic rifles like AR-15s. It are often called assault weapons. They say the guns are disproportionately applied in mass shootings, and banning them helps reduce gun violence.

Challengers say those laws violate the Second Amendment. They argue that AR-15s and other similar weapons are among the most popular and commonly owned guns in the country.

Notably, the conservative-majority court has expanded gun rights over recent years, and four justices had signaled that it was only a matter of time before the court took up the matter. The case will be considered in December.

For context, the court will hear two significant immigration cases with potentially major implications for Trump's wide-reaching crackdown.

One is regarding deportations of migrants who can't be swiftly sent back to their home countries. The Trump administration has been sending thousands to other countries where they have no ties, under a series of often-secret agreements.

Notably, the Supreme Court will consider overturning lower court orders allowing them a chance to object. The justices have allowed the flights to continue in the meantime.

Notably, the other case is over the administration's mandatory detention policy for immigrants who have been living in the U.S. Illegally, even if they've been in the country for years.

Notably, the administration argues it can hold individuals without a bond hearing, but most appeals courts that have considered the problem disagree.

In practice, a Republican push to enforce strict Arizona voting laws will additionally come before the justices this term.

One measure requires individuals to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote using a state form, and another calls for regular purges of the voter rolls to remove residents if their citizenship could not be confirmed.

It comes as Trump has failed to obtain legislation requiring documentary proof of citizenship for registering to vote through Congress. Arguments are set for December.

Catholic preschools that can't take part in a taxpayer-funded program in Colorado will come before the court in November. It's the justices' latest case involving religious rights.

St. Mary Catholic Parish notes it's been left out of the state's universal preschool program over its faith-based admissions policies. It exclude kids from LGBTQ+ families.

Colorado notes religious schools are welcome to participate but have to follow nondiscrimination laws. The program was created by a 2020 ballot measure and provides public funding for preschool at schools selected by parents. Regarding the Author(s). Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press. Economy Paul Wiseman, Associated Press October 2, 2026.

U.S. Adds disappointing 29, 000 jobs and unemployment ticks up to 4.2% in September.

In practice, the Labor Department documented Friday that hiring dropped from a revised 133, 000 in August. The unemployment rate rose to a still-low 4.2% from 4.1% in August. Economists had projected 90, 000 new jobs. More From This Author.

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Taken together, the developments around a new Supreme Court term begins with cases on climate change, immigration point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.