Response to Supreme Court Ruling Affecting Asylum and Temporary Protected Status
REFUGEE ACTION COALITION OF COLORADO AND KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER COALITION RESPOND TO SUPREME COURT RULINGS AFFECTING ASYLUM AND TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS
DENVER, CO—We welcome the U.S. Supreme Court's June 30, 2026 decision affirming birthright citizenship, a longstanding constitutional principle that protects the rights and dignity of every child born in the United States. At the same time, members of the Refugee Action Coalition of Colorado (RACC) and allies in the Keeping Families Together Coalition are deeply concerned about the harmful implications of two U.S. Supreme Court rulings issued on June 25, 2026, affecting asylum seekers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
In Mullin v. Al Otro Lado, the Court limited legal protections for people seeking asylum at the U.S. border, making it easier for the federal government to turn away individuals fleeing persecution and further restricting access to humanitarian protections. In Mullin v. Doe, the Court allowed the Trump Administration to move forward with terminating TPS for more than 300,000 people from Syria and Haiti while litigation continues.
Coloradans recognize that our state is stronger because of the resilience, leadership, and cultural richness of immigrants and refugees. These decisions will have profound consequences here and across the country by:
Perpetuating and emboldening xenophobic and racist rhetoric and misinformation targeting immigrants and their families, including people from Haiti and Syria, as well as asylum seekers, TPS holders, and refugees.
Placing hundreds of thousands of people at risk of detention, deportation to unsafe conditions, and prolonged uncertainty.
Increasing the risk of family separation and loss of work authorization.
Undermining longstanding, bipartisan humanitarian protections established by Congress.
Threatening the stability and prosperity of communities where TPS holders and asylum seekers make invaluable contributions as workers, caregivers, parents, neighbors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
We join national allies, including the International Refugee Assistance Project, the National Partnership for New Americans, the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, and Welcome With Dignity, and Church World Service in condemning these rulings.
We reaffirm our call for permanent, humane pathways to legal status and citizenship for people seeking safety and stability in the United States. Congress, state officials, and other decisionmakers must advance policies that uphold dignity, safety, belonging, family unity, and humanitarian protections in Colorado and across the nation.
Advocates can take action today:
Join the We Are All America National Refugee Advocacy Days 2026 to advocate for policies to restore and strengthen the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, defend asylum and due process as fundamental human rights, protect TPS holders and reduce immigration backlogs, and end discriminatory travel bans while reaffirming U.S. humanitarian leadership.
Thank Senator Bennet for cosponsoring S. 4814 and urge Senator Hickenlooper to support the bill, which would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status.
Sign RACC’s interfaith, intercultural welcoming pledge and get involved with RACC's efforts to build a more welcoming Colorado for all.
In the face of fear and division, Colorado can lead by choosing welcome over exclusion, solidarity over suspicion, and policies that uphold the dignity, humanity, and safety of everyone seeking refuge. Together, we can build vibrant communities where everyone belongs and we all thrive.
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The Refugee Action Coalition of Colorado (RACC) advocates for and with refugees to promote a welcoming community and to advance opportunities where refugees thrive. Apply to join RACC and connect on Facebook. RACC is supported by the Newcomers Fund. The Keep Families Together (KFT) is a partnership of Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, American Friends Service Committee Colorado, Casa de Paz, Colorado People’s Alliance, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, and Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning. Supported by The Colorado Health Foundation and the Newcomers Fund, KFT formed in late 2024 to help protect Coloradans from the harmful impacts of ongoing and emerging anti-immigrant federal initiatives.
