US Supreme Court agrees to hear lawsuit questioning automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The nation's highest court has decided to review a significant case that questions a century-old constitutional right: birthright citizenship for people born within US borders.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, the administration enacted a directive aiming to terminate this practice, but the order was struck down by federal courts after constitutional questions were initiated.

The Supreme Court's ultimate judgment will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the offspring of immigrants who are in the US illegally or on non-immigrant visas, or it will overturn the provision entirely.

Next, the justices will set a time to hear oral arguments between the federal government and plaintiffs, which involve parents who are immigrants and their infants.

The Legal Foundation

For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has codified the doctrine that all individuals born in the United States is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to embassy personnel and personnel of foreign military forces.

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

The challenged presidential order sought to withhold citizenship to the offspring of people who are either in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States belongs to a group of about a minority of states – mostly in the North and South America – that award immediate citizenship to anyone born within their borders.