America's top judicial body will review case challenging birthright citizenship.

The nation's highest court has agreed to take on a significant case that puts to the test a historic constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for those born within US borders.

On day one in office this winter, the administration enacted a directive aiming to terminate this practice, but the action was struck down by federal courts after lawsuits were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will either uphold citizenship rights for the offspring of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will overturn the provision completely.

Next, the justices will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the administration and claimants, which involve immigrant parents and their newborns.

The Legal Foundation

For over a century and a half, the Fourteenth Amendment has established the rule that anyone born in the nation is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to embassy personnel and personnel 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 presidential order sought to withhold citizenship to the offspring of people who are either in the US illegally or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States belongs to a group of about 30 countries – largely in the Americas – that award immediate citizenship to all those born in their territory.