The justices gave respectful consideration to what was once a fringe theory and could rule against it on grounds that would allow Congress to return to the question.

Supreme Court justices and lawyers cited a litany of historic cases that reflect the many times Asians turned to the courts, trying to shape immigration law.

A coalition of legal groups claims the Homeland Security Department adopted an unconstitutional policy allowing its agents to enter homes without a judicial warrant.

Even after Speaker Mike Johnson agreed to a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security without immigration enforcement money, the House failed to take it up amid hard-right opposition.