Supreme Court Limits Federal Courts’ Nationwide Injunction Authority

On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Trump v. Casa, Inc. that federal district courts lack the authority under the Judiciary Act of 1789 to issue nationwide or "universal" injunctions, which had been used to block enforcement of President Donald Trump's executive order limiting birthright citizenship. The Court's 6-3 decision partially stayed three nationwide injunctions issued by district courts, emphasizing that such broad relief likely exceeds the equitable powers granted to federal courts. While the Court did not rule on the executive order's merits or the constitutional standing of states in these cases, it directed lower courts to reconsider injunctions narrowly tailored to specific plaintiffs, signaling an end to the practice of one judge issuing nationwide blocks on federal policies. The ruling is seen as a significant shift that limits judicial overreach and affirms the principle that courts should only decide cases involving parties before them, but it also creates uncertainty as lower courts adjust to the new standard and may lead to varied enforcement of federal rules across jurisdictions. Legal experts note that this decision extends beyond immigration law, affecting employers and others who must now navigate potentially inconsistent federal injunctions in different states. Appeals courts are already remanding cases to district courts to reconsider injunction scopes in light of this Supreme Court guidance.