The U.S. Supreme Court sided 6-3 with the Trump administration, issuing a significant ruling that restricts the use of *universal injunctions*—nationwide blocks on presidential policy—in ongoing litigation over the administration’s executive order concerning birthright citizenship. This procedural victory allows the order, which challenges the traditional interpretation of the 14th Amendment, to proceed in parts of the country while the policy’s merits are debated. The order seeks to deny citizenship to babies born in the U.S. whose parents are illegal immigrants, arguing they are not ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the country.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the majority opinion, asserting that federal courts must resolve specific cases and should not exceed their power by offering general oversight of the Executive Branch. The ruling drew strong dissent from Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Barrett specifically offered a sharp critique of Justice Jackson’s dissent, accusing her of embracing an ‘imperial Judiciary’ that is ‘at odds with more than two centuries worth of precedent.’