Nationwide injunction

A nationwide injunction, also called a universal injunction, is an order from a single federal judge that prevents the government from enforcing a law, rule or policy against anyone, anywhere, rather than only against the plaintiffs in the case.

Such orders became common in the 2010s and were used against major policies of Presidents Obama, Trump and Biden, including immigration programs, regulations and executive orders. Critics noted that plaintiffs could choose a friendly court, a practice called forum shopping, and that one district judge could halt national policy. In Trump v. CASA (2025), the Supreme Court held that federal courts likely lack statutory authority to issue universal injunctions, while leaving other routes such as class actions and certain state suits open.

Conservatives and administration officials of both parties have argued that universal injunctions exceed the judicial power, interfere with the separation of powers and push emergency matters onto the shadow docket. Supporters argued they were sometimes the only practical way to prevent widespread harm from unlawful policies and to avoid inconsistent rules across the country. Disputes over standing often accompany these cases.