America's top judicial body agrees to review lawsuit challenging automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The US Supreme Court has will hear a significant case that questions a century-old constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for people born within US borders.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, the administration enacted a directive aiming to halt birthright citizenship, but the order was subsequently blocked by federal courts after legal challenges were filed.

The Supreme Court's eventual decision will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US undocumented or on short-term permits, or it will end those rights entirely.

Next, the court will schedule a date to hear arguments between the government and claimants, which involve parents who are immigrants and their newborns.

The 14th Amendment

For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has established the rule that every person born in the United States is a American citizen, with specific conditions for children born to foreign diplomats and members of occupying armies.

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

The contested directive sought to deny citizenship to the offspring of people who are either in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – primarily in the Americas – that provide immediate citizenship to anyone born within their borders.