The president described Barrett as “one of the nation’s most gifted legal minds” to the court and praised her for her loyalty to the Constitution.

The judges are Amy Coney Barrett, a federal appellate court judge in Chicago, and Barbara Lagoa, a federal appeals court judge in Atlanta.

"We are holding up the light," the sisters said, "against the sin of racism that is still alive and well in the Catholic Church today."

Catholic leaders have joined their voices with members of the Navajo Nation in opposing the Aug. 26 scheduled execution of Lezmond Mitchell, the only Native American on federal death row.

The decision was made after a surge in cases since classes resumed on Aug. 10.

Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, California, said the administration’s action, announced July 28 in a memo issued by the Department of Homeland Security, was “irresponsible and recalcitrant.”

As the nation continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, university life is cautiously stepping back into the fray of bringing students, faculty and staff members back together under extreme restrictions.

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court upheld Nevada's limits on congregation sizes, denying a request by a Nevada church for permission to have larger gatherings that are currently permitted in the state's casinos, restaurants and other businesses.

“Counting the undocumented in the census and then denying them and the states in which they reside their rightful representation in Congress is counter to the Constitution and a grave injustice,” the statement said.

As a result of a public outcry and pressure, federal immigration authorities had agreed to rescind the directive and "return to the status quo."