WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court released opinions in five cases on June 24, 2026. These cases included rulings on the Alien Tort Statute, the Helms-Burton Act, religious rights in prison, just compensation after tax sales, and immigration admission standards for lawful permanent residents.

In Cisco Systems, Inc. v. Doe I, the Court held that the Alien Tort Statute only allows foreigners to bring lawsuits in U.S. courts alleging serious violations of international law based on the small group of claims Congress likely had in mind when it passed the statute. The Court also held that the Torture Victim Protection Act does not allow lawsuits for aiding and abetting torture. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the majority opinion. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a dissenting opinion, joined in part by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

In Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Corporación Cimex, S.A., the Court held by a vote of 6-3 that the Helms-Burton Act trumps the sovereign immunity of Cuban agencies and instrumentalities. The Court also held that plaintiffs who sue Cuban agencies or instrumentalities under the Helms-Burton Act need not satisfy one of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's enumerated exceptions. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion. Justice Elena Kagan wrote a dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

In Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety, the Court held by a vote of 6-3 that Damon Landor's lawsuit against prison officials who shaved his head cannot proceed. The Court held that state employees may not be held liable in their personal capacities under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 unless they voluntarily and knowingly consented to answer such private suits. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the majority opinion. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote a dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor.

In Pung v. Isabella County, Michigan, the Court unanimously held that the proper baseline for measuring just compensation following a fairly conducted tax sale is the auction sale price, not the property's hypothetical fair market value. Justice Samuel Alito wrote the opinion for the Court. Justice Clarence Thomas joined the opinion in part and wrote an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment.

In Blanche v. Lau, the Court held by a vote of 6-3 that federal immigration law does not require a border officer to have clear and convincing evidence that a lawful permanent resident has committed a crime involving moral turpitude before declining to admit that person into the country. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote a dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

The Supreme Court indicated it will release additional opinions on Thursday at 10 a.m. EDT.