THE Episcopal Church in the United States has said that it “laments” two Supreme Court rulings that allow the Trump administration to strip protected status from Haitian and Syrian migrants, and to turn away migrants at the Mexican border before they set foot on US soil.

The rulings were agreed by six to three Supreme Court justices. The three liberal- leaning justices issuing strongly worded dissents on each.

The first ruling removes Temporary Protected Status from 350,000 people from Haiti and 6,100 from Syria, who were given the temporary right to stay and work in the US owing to war and natural disasters.

It was first provided to Haitians after a 2010 earthquake and to Syrians after civil war in 2012. Last year, the Trump administration cut the status for more than 300,000 Venezuelans.

The second Supreme Court ruling allows the Trump administration to reinstate its turnback policy, which allows border agents to stop migrants from setting foot on US soil where they would have a right to claim asylum and protection from persecution.

Lynette Wilson/Episcopal News ServiceA section of the border wall cuts a line between Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Mexico

The case had been brought by Al Otro Lado, a humanitarian group based in Mexico and the US. It was supported by the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Dr Sean Rowe, and other religious leaders. In a statement, the Episcopal Church said: “This decision could mean that those who are fleeing persecution and who historically have had the right to claim asylum at ports of entry, will not be able to do so. As a result, we fear that vulnerable people will be turned away and that our nation’s pledge to provide protection for those fleeing persecution will be eroded.”

The Church support for migrants would continue despite the ruling, it said. “We recognise that the full consequences of these rulings are still uncertain and will depend on how the administration implements them, how agencies exercise discretion, and whether further legal challenges or congressional action follow.

“The Episcopal Church will continue supporting immigrants and asylum seekers in all of our ministries. We will advocate for laws and policies that centre welcome, protection from harm, and integration. The Episcopal Church is a home to immigrants, and Episcopalians across the country and around the world continue to minister to and walk alongside migrants in need.

“We will continue to uphold the dignity of refugees and migrants following the biblical call to welcome the stranger.”

Al Otro Lado’s executive director, Erika Pinheiro, said: “In a world of increasing conflict and climate disaster, this hardening of borders to keep out the most vulnerable is sure to result in many more lives lost.”