The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority on Friday upheld state and municipal anti-camping laws that critics say unconstitutionally punish homeless people, with the justices calling the laws important “tools” for local governments to use in tackling a complex problem.

In a 6-3 decision written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, the high court upheld the constitutionality of a southern Oregon city’s aggressive efforts to clear homeless encampments through hefty fines and criminal trespass charges. In a dissent joined by her fellow liberals and read from the bench, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the court “abdicates” its role to protect the constitutional rights of vulnerable citizens.