Maryland AG Reacts to Supreme Court Decisions Impacting Immigrant Status and Gun Laws

BALTIMORE, MD — Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has issued statements addressing two significant Supreme Court rulings that will affect thousands of individuals and alter gun policies within the state. The decisions, one concerning Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian nationals, and another regarding Second Amendment rights and private property, were announced on June 25, 2026. The Supreme Court’s rulings are expected to have immediate and far-reaching consequences for residents of Maryland and potentially nationwide.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court’s ruling in Mullin v. Doe and Trump v. Miot allows the federal government to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian nationals. This decision means that these individuals, many of whom have established lives and contributed to the economy in Maryland, could be deported to countries deemed unsafe by the U.S. State Department. Attorney General Brown expressed strong disapproval of this outcome, emphasizing that these immigrants play vital roles in Maryland’s workforce, including in education and healthcare. The termination of TPS could lead to the displacement of workers, destabilization of communities, and the separation of families. The ruling also raises concerns about its potential to impact individuals from over a dozen other countries who currently benefit from similar protected status policies, which have been in place since 1990.

A separate 6-3 decision in Wolford v. Lopez addresses state laws concerning the carrying of firearms on private property generally open to the public. The Supreme Court ruled that such laws, which require individuals to obtain prior permission before carrying guns in these locations, violate the Second Amendment. Maryland, like several other states, had implemented such regulations as a measure to enhance safety for property owners and the general public. The ruling effectively invalidates these protections, meaning that firearms will now be permitted in establishments like restaurants and stores unless owners actively take steps to prohibit them. Attorney General Brown voiced his disagreement with this decision, stating that while the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, it has not historically meant that firearms should be allowed in all public spaces against the wishes of business owners or communities.

This ruling is anticipated to make Marylanders less safe, as commonsense policies designed to balance the right to bear arms with public safety are struck down. Despite the court’s decision, Attorney General Brown affirmed that his office remains committed to prioritizing the safety of Marylanders.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office

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