On Thursday, the Supreme Court appeared determined to uphold the stay on President Donald Trump's restrictions on civil rights, while also seeking to narrow the scope of court orders nationwide.

The potential consequences of such a decision remain unclear, but most judges have expressed concern about the possible ramifications if the Trump administration were allowed, even temporarily, to deny citizenship to children born to undocumented immigrants in the United States.

The judges listened to arguments in the Trump administration's urgent appeals regarding lower court orders that had temporarily stopped the nationwide restrictions on civil rights.

Nationwide injunctions have become a key tool to check President Trump's attempts to reorganise the government, and a growing source of frustration for the Republican president and his allies.

During over two hours of legal discussion, Chief Attorney D. John Sauer told the court that since Trump's second term began in January, judges have issued 40 nationwide injunctions.

The government has urgently asked the court to address the policy of birthright citizenship, among other immigration-related issues.

A case like this could be submitted and resolved swiftly, with the potential for nationwide implementation.

However, under questioning from Judge Amy Coney Barrett and others, Sauer stated that the Trump administration could challenge such lawsuits or even deliberately delay class action cases.

It is unusual for the Supreme Court to hear urgent appeals, as the judges typically address the main issue of the dispute directly.

However, the government isn't asking the court to deal with the broader issue yet. If the court supports the government on nationwide injunctions, it's unclear how long these inconsistent rules about citizenship will affect children born in the US.

A decision is expected by the end of June.