The US Supreme Court has given President Donald Trump a partial win in his attempt to end birthright citizenship, limiting the power of federal judges to block presidential orders across the country. The court’s decision sends the cases back to lower courts, leaving the ultimate fate of the policy uncertain.
The Ruling
In a divided judgment, the court ruled that individual federal judges no longer have the authority to issue nationwide injunctions that block executive actions from taking effect throughout the United States. This move is seen as a significant shift in the balance of power between the judiciary and the executive. The decision marks a procedural win for Trump, who has long criticized lower courts for halting his policies through broad rulings.
Birthright Citizenship Order Still on Hold
Despite this ruling, the court did not allow Trump’s executive order, which aims to deny US citizenship to children born in the country to undocumented parents, to take effect immediately. The justices imposed a 30-day delay, giving lower courts time to adjust their existing orders or take further legal action. This means Trump’s order remains blocked for now, although the path is clearer for it to be implemented if courts do not intervene again.
Constitutionality Remains Undecided
The Supreme Court deliberately avoided ruling on whether Trump’s order is constitutional, focusing instead on judicial power, not immigration law. The court left the door open for future legal challenges over the meaning of the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and others expressed concern during hearings that allowing the executive order to take effect without broader review could create confusion and unequal treatment across states.
What’s Next
For now, the executive order is not in force, and the administration cannot implement the changes to citizenship rules. But that could change quickly if lower courts revise or lift their current injunctions following the Supreme Court’s new guidelines. The Trump administration is expected to issue formal guidance on how it would apply the new rules once the 30-day pause ends. Further court battles are likely, especially over the substance of the birthright citizenship policy.
Key Points
– *The Supreme Court’s Decision*: Limits nationwide injunctions, sending cases back to lower courts
– *Birthright Citizenship Order*: Remains blocked, but could be implemented if courts do not intervene
– *Constitutionality*: Supreme Court did not rule on the constitutionality of Trump’s order
– *Next Steps*: Lower courts will review the cases, and the Trump administration may issue new guidance.
Implications
The Supreme Court’s decision has significant implications for the country’s immigration policy and the balance of power between the judiciary and the executive. The outcome will depend on the decisions of the lower courts and potentially future rulings by the Supreme Court.
