WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court of the United States accepted four new cases to its merits docket on June 22, 2026. These cases originated from both federal appellate courts and a state appellate court.

One of the accepted cases, Genalo v. Black, originated from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This case addresses whether an alien's detention under 8 U.S. Code § 1226 can become unreasonably prolonged while awaiting a removal decision.

Another case, Kian v. Florida, came from the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal. This case focuses on whether Hamed Kian's Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment rights to a trial by a 12-member jury were violated.

Guerrero v. Johnson, accepted by the Court, originated from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. This case involves an inmate's petition to qualify for post-conviction relief. The fourth case, Nielsen v. Watanabe, came from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and concerns Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics.

During its October 2024 term, the Supreme Court heard arguments in 65 cases. As of June 22, 2026, 17 cases were under deliberation by the Court.

The federal judiciary had 29 vacancies for lifetime Article III judgeships as of June 22, 2026, according to the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts. There were 14 pending judicial nominations as of that date. Additionally, 13 upcoming vacancies existed where judges had announced their intention to leave active judicial status, according to the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts. President Trump has announced 57 Article III judicial nominations since taking office on January 20, 2021.