The nation's highest court agrees to review case disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The nation's highest court has decided to review a pivotal case that questions a historic guarantee: automatic citizenship for people born in the United States.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, the President issued an executive order aiming to halt this practice, but the move was subsequently blocked by the judiciary after lawsuits were initiated.

The Supreme Court's eventual judgment will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the infants of foreign nationals who are in the US without authorization or on non-immigrant visas, or it will nullify them completely.

Next, the court will calendar a session to hear arguments between the administration and claimants, which involve parents who are immigrants and their newborns.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has codified the doctrine that every person born in the country is a American citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to diplomats and personnel of invading forces.

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

The disputed executive order sought to refuse citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on short-term status.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – primarily in the North and South America – that provide instant citizenship to all those born on their soil.