US Supreme Court has decided to hear legal challenge challenging citizenship by birth.
The top court has decided to review a landmark case that questions a century-old principle: birthright citizenship for people born within US borders.
On the inaugural day in office this January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aiming to end this practice, but the order was struck down by lower courts after lawsuits were filed.
The Supreme Court's final ruling will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US without authorization or on short-term permits, or it will end the provision completely.
Next, the justices will schedule a date to hear arguments between the administration and the suing parties, which involve immigrant parents and their newborns.
The 14th Amendment
For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has codified the principle that every person born in the nation is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and personnel of occupying armies.
"Anyone 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 withhold citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on non-permanent visas.
The United States is among about three dozen nations – mostly in the Western Hemisphere – that provide automatic citizenship to all those born in their territory.
