Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Injunctions — What It Means for Birthright Citizenship
On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6–3 ruling in the high-profile case Trump v. CASA, delivering a major decision that could change how immigration policy is challenged in court. The ruling didn’t directly strike down birthright citizenship but cleared a path for major legal changes by limiting nationwide injunctions.
Click here to read the full ruling summary
What Did the Supreme Court Decide?
In this case, the Court ruled that lower federal courts can no longer issue nationwide injunctions unless it’s absolutely necessary. That means judges can only stop laws or executive actions for the specific people or places involved in a lawsuit.
Read more about nationwide injunctions and what they mean
Although this case didn’t settle the legality of Trump’s new executive order targeting birthright citizenship, it opened the door for his administration to apply it in states that haven’t sued yet.
Learn about Trump’s immigration order here
What Is Birthright Citizenship?
Birthright citizenship is the right to be a U.S. citizen if you’re born on U.S. soil, no matter your parents’ citizenship status. This right comes from the 14th Amendment, added after the Civil War in 1868.
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States…”
— 14th Amendment, Section 1
This principle was confirmed by the Supreme Court in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), setting a strong precedent that continues to protect millions of Americans.
Why Does This Ruling Matter Now?
| Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Enforcement | Trump’s executive order to deny birthright citizenship to some U.S.-born children is still blocked in states like California, Maryland, and New York, where lawsuits are active. But it can move forward in states that haven’t filed suits, starting July 27. |
| Legal Strategy | Civil rights groups plan to launch class-action lawsuits to protect families nationwide. Read more about their plans on the ACLU website. |
| Next Stop: SCOTUS | Legal experts say a full Supreme Court review on birthright citizenship itself may come by October. |
What the Justices, Trump, and rights groups are saying
Who’s Reacting?
Trump & His Team
Former President Donald Trump called the decision a “huge win,” suggesting the Court is clearing the path to end automatic citizenship for babies born to undocumented immigrants.
His legal allies like Pam Bondi praised the decision, saying it restores “constitutional order.”
Read Trump’s full response here
Civil Rights Advocates & Democratic Leaders
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, dissented forcefully. They warned the decision could harm children born in the U.S., leaving them vulnerable to being stripped of their citizenship.
Immigrant advocates like CASA, RAICES, and lawmakers like Rep. Joaquin Castro called the ruling “dangerous and undemocratic.”
Houston organizations and leaders speak out
What Countries Offer Birthright Citizenship?
The U.S. is one of the few countries where jus soli (right of the soil) citizenship is still the law. Others include:
- Canada
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Argentina
Many European and Asian countries only allow citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis).
Learn more about countries with birthright citizenship
What’s Next for the U.S.?
- Partial enforcement of Trump’s birthright order may begin in states not part of current lawsuits starting July 27, 2025.
- More lawsuits are expected from advocacy groups using class-action or state-by-state approaches.
- A major Supreme Court case directly challenging the constitutionality of birthright citizenship may be on the docket this fall.
Why EveryAna Is Covering This Story
At EveryAna, we believe in breaking down legal news in simple, relatable ways. This decision affects:
- Parents of newborns
- Mixed-status immigrant families
- Future generations of Americans
If the Constitution’s promise of citizenship is questioned, everyone’s rights are up for debate.
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