A new Supreme Court term begins with cases on climate change, immigration and gun rights

The Supreme Court begins a new term Monday with significant cases on climate change, religious rights, and immigration WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court’s new term begins Monday with cases on climate change, religious rights and President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration high on the agenda. Here’s a look at what’s in store: Climate change The high court is starting its term with a major climate change case.

The justices will hear an appeal from energy companies trying to block dozens of lawsuits seeking to hold them liable in court for damage related to climate change. Billions of dollars are potentially at stake in a case out of Boulder, Colorado, where local officials say the industry should help shoulder the escalating costs of disasters linked to climate change. The companies, Suncor and ExxonMobil, say lawsuits aren’t the way to deal with the global issue.

They have the backing of the Trump administration, which argues the litigation is a power grab intended to impose regulations on emissions. Assault weapons bans About a dozen states have banned semiautomatic rifles like AR-15s, which are often called assault weapons. They say the guns are disproportionately used in mass shootings, and banning them helps reduce gun violence.

Challengers say those laws violate the Second Amendment. They argue that AR-15s and other similar weapons are among the most popular and commonly owned guns in the country. The conservative-majority court has expanded gun rights in recent years, and four justices had signaled that it was only a matter of time before the court took up the issue.

The case will be considered in December. Immigration The court will hear two significant immigration cases with potentially big implications for Trump’s wide-reaching crackdown. One is about deportations of migrants who can’t be quickly sent back to their home countries.

The Trump administration has been sending thousands to other countries where they have no ties, under a series of often-secret agreements. The Supreme Court will consider overturning lower court orders allowing them a chance to object. The justices have allowed the flights to continue in the meantime.