US Supreme Court has decided to review legal challenge disputing birthright citizenship.
The top court has will hear a significant case that puts to the test a century-old principle: birthright citizenship for those born within US borders.
On his first day in office this winter, the President signed an order aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the move was subsequently blocked by the judiciary after legal challenges were brought forward.
The Supreme Court's final judgment will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US without authorization or on temporary visas, or it will overturn them completely.
Next, the judges will calendar a session to hear the case between the federal government and claimants, which include foreign-born parents and their young children.
The 14th Amendment
For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has codified the rule that every person born in the nation is a citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to embassy personnel and personnel of occupying armies.
"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 refuse citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on temporary visas.
The United States is among about three dozen nations – primarily in the Western Hemisphere – that provide immediate citizenship to any person born in their territory.
