The 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is passed by the U.S. Congress.

The Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1795, limits the power of federal courts to hear certain lawsuits against states. It was adopted in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in *Chisholm v. Georgia* (1793), where the Court ruled that a citizen of one state could sue another state in federal court. That decision sparked concern among many states, who feared they could be dragged into federal court over debts and other disputes. The amendment quickly reversed that outcome by establishing that federal judicial power does not extend to suits against a state brought by citizens of another state or by citizens or subjects of a foreign country.

In practical terms, the Eleventh Amendment reinforces the principle of state sovereign immunity—the idea that states cannot be sued without their consent. While the text specifically addresses suits brought by out-of-state citizens or foreign citizens, the Supreme Court has interpreted it more broadly over time. In cases such as *Hans v. Louisiana* (1890), the Court held that a state also enjoys immunity from suits brought by its own citizens in federal court. This interpretation expanded the amendment’s impact well beyond its original wording, making it a key constitutional foundation for state immunity doctrines.

However, the protection offered by the Eleventh Amendment is not absolute. There are important exceptions. A state may consent to being sued, and Congress may sometimes authorize lawsuits against states under certain constitutional provisions—particularly under Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment. Additionally, under the doctrine established in *Ex parte Young* (1908), federal courts may allow suits against state officials (rather than the state itself) for ongoing violations of federal law. As a result, the Eleventh Amendment plays a central role in balancing state sovereignty with federal authority and the protection of individual rights.