America's top judicial body has decided to hear legal challenge questioning birthright citizenship.
The nation's highest court has will hear a landmark case that challenges a historic principle: birthright citizenship for individuals born on American soil.
On day one in office this January, the administration enacted a directive aiming to halt this practice, but the move was subsequently blocked by federal courts after lawsuits were initiated.
The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US without authorization or on non-immigrant visas, or it will end the provision entirely.
Next, the court will set a time to hear oral arguments between the administration and plaintiffs, which involve immigrant parents and their newborns.
The 14th Amendment
For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has established the principle that anyone born in the country is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and members 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 challenged presidential order sought to deny citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on non-permanent visas.
The United States is among about three dozen nations – mostly in the Western Hemisphere – that grant instant citizenship to all those born within their borders.
