CHICAGO — A landmark Supreme Court ruling has drastically altered how presidential powers can be checked — and it’s putting former President Donald Trump’s controversial birthright citizenship executive order on a fast track for enforcement.
In a 6–3 decision, the high court ruled that federal judges may no longer issue sweeping nationwide injunctions, which have historically been used to pause or block presidential orders. While the court did not rule on the constitutionality of Trump’s birthright order, it made clear that lower courts may only provide relief to plaintiffs with standing — not block policies nationwide.
What the Ruling Means for Trump’s Citizenship Order
Trump’s executive order — known as Executive Order 14,160 — seeks to end automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented or non-lawfully present parents. This order directly challenges long-standing interpretations of the 14th Amendment.
The Supreme Court’s ruling means Trump can now begin laying the groundwork to implement the policy in 30 days. That window allows time for new legal challenges, which advocacy groups say are already underway.
“Amazing decision, one we’re very happy about,” Trump said during a White House briefing, calling it a “monumental victory for the Constitution, the separation of powers, and the rule of law.”
Dissent Warns of Dangerous Precedent
In a fiery dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the ruling undermines judicial power and could set a precedent for unchecked executive overreach.
“No right is safe in the new legal regime the Court creates,” she wrote, adding that future administrations could use this precedent to restrict other constitutional rights, like gun ownership or religious liberty.
Legal Pushback: Class Action in Motion
The immigrant rights organization CASA is already preparing a class action lawsuit. The proposed class includes:
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All children born on or after Feb. 19, 2025
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Whose parents would be affected by Executive Order 14,160
The group is urging a federal court to certify the class and block implementation for thousands of impacted families, according to CBS News.
Do you support or oppose the Supreme Court’s decision on nationwide injunctions and Trump’s birthright citizenship order? Join the conversation at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com and share your perspective.
