On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in Trump v. CASA that significantly restricts the use of nationwide injunctions—court orders that block federal policies across the entire country. This ruling has immediate implications for ongoing lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s executive orders, including immigration cases and the order limiting birthright citizenship and the guarantee of citizenship to anyone born in the United States.
The Court held that district courts may no longer issue injunctions with nationwide effect that block federal policies beyond the parties involved in the case. Instead, any injunctions should apply only to the plaintiffs who bring the lawsuit. The Court did allow for some more narrow state-wide injunctions and class action suits, although class actions have onerous requirements.
For instance, a woman legally residing working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa would now have to file her own lawsuit or become part of a class action case in order to defend her U.S.-born child’s constitutional right to citizenship if that child’s father was not a US citizen or legal permanent resident of the US.
What Was the Case About?
The case arose after President Trump issued an executive order aimed at rescinding automatic birthright citizenship for children born in the US to undocumented or temporary resident parents. Lower courts blocked the order using nationwide injunctions, preventing its enforcement across the country. However, the Supreme Court’s new ruling finds that such universal injunctions exceed the authority of individual district courts.
How Does This Affect Birthright Citizenship Lawsuits?
As a result of this ruling, plaintiffs challenging the birthright citizenship policy can no longer rely on broad nationwide blocks. Instead, they must pursue individual lawsuits or class actions in each jurisdiction where they seek protection.
Key Differences: Nationwide Injunctions vs. Class Actions
| Legal Tool | Scope | Court’s View |
| Nationwide Injunction | Blocks policy for all across the country | Now restricted to only parties involved |
| Class Action | Binds all certified class members | Seen as a suitable alternative if properly certified |
While class actions can offer broad relief, they require certification and may take longer to resolve. This creates challenges for immediate protection against policies like the birthright citizenship order. The legal battles are expected to continue, with significant consequences for immigration policy enforcement nationwide.