What limitation does the 11th Amendment place regarding lawsuits involving states?

The 11th Amendment establishes important limitations on the ability of individuals to bring lawsuits against states in federal court. It specifically protects states from being sued by citizens of other states or by foreign citizens. This principle is rooted in the idea of state sovereignty, which holds that states should not be subjected to lawsuits by individuals who are not their own citizens, reflecting a respect for the legal autonomy of each state.

The reasoning behind this protection is related to the historical context in which the 11th Amendment was adopted. It was a response to concerns that the federal judiciary might intervene in state matters and diminish state authority if individuals were allowed to file lawsuits against states freely. Thus, the 11th Amendment effectively prevents individuals from initiating lawsuits in federal court if they are seeking to sue a state that they do not reside in, underscoring the importance of state sovereignty and maintaining a balance between state and federal powers.

This understanding clarifies why the answer indicating states cannot be sued by citizens of other states accurately reflects the amendment's purpose and implications.