October Term 2015 · Docket 15-674
Can states sue to block a federal policy that defers deportation?
Texas claims a federal deportation-deferral policy harms it. The federal government says the state lacks legal standing to sue.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
General Verrilli argued the policy defers removal for parents of citizens.
Mr. Keller argued the policy is an unprecedented unlawful assertion of power.
Mr. Saenz argued the policy protects mothers of U.S. citizens.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 12-20 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 12-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 36-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 36-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 34-42 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 34-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-16 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 8-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 10-32 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 10-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 46-22 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 46-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 38-48 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 38-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-30 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 12-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 42-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 42-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 30-48 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 30-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 50-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 50-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-20 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 12-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 44-48 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 44-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 12-30 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 12-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 4-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 34-46
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Texas argues the federal policy unlawfully expands executive power. The federal government argues the policy is lawful and the state cannot sue.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 12-20 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 12-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 36-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 36-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 12-30 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 12-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 34-46
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 18, 2016.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 46-22 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 46-22
What each side wants
Texas wants the Court to block the federal deportation-deferral policy.
The federal government wants the Court to allow the policy to continue.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 12-20 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 12-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 36-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 36-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 12-30 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 12-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 34-46
What each side says
Texas argues the policy is an unlawful assertion of executive power.
The federal government argues the policy is lawful and the state lacks standing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 12-20 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 12-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 36-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 36-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 12-30 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 12-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 34-46
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked if Texas would sue if the policy changed to avoid injury.
Justice Kennedy asked if the federal government could say the issue is not for the state to decide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 34-42 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 34-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-16 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 8-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 10-32 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 10-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 46-22 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 46-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 38-48 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 38-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-30 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 12-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 42-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 42-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 30-48 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 30-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 50-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 50-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-20 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 12-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 44-48 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 44-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 4-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 42-48
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of state power to challenge federal immigration policies. It determines whether states can block federal actions they claim cause harm.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 12-20 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 12-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 36-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 36-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 12-30 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 12-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 34-46
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-38 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 34-42 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 34-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 8-16 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 8-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 10-32 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 10-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 46-22 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 46-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 38-48 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 38-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-30 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 12-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 16-18 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 16-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-26 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 42-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 42-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 30-48 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 30-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 50-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 50-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-20 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 12-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 44-48 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 44-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 4-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 42-48
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 12-20 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 12-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 36-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 36-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 12-30 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 12-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 34-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-50 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 30-20 — Transcript, file page 35, lines 30-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 12-20 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 12-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 36-18 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 36-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 12-30 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 12-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 85, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 85, lines 34-46
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.