The nation's highest court has decided to hear legal challenge challenging automatic citizenship for those born in the US.
The US Supreme Court has decided to review a pivotal case that puts to the test a longstanding constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for those born in the United States.
On his first day in office this January, the President signed an order aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the move was halted by federal courts after legal challenges were brought forward.
The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the offspring of foreign nationals who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will end them altogether.
Next, the court will calendar a session to hear oral arguments between the government and plaintiffs, which involve parents who are immigrants and their young children.
A Constitutional Cornerstone
For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has enshrined the doctrine that anyone born in the United States is a American citizen, with exceptions for children born to embassy personnel 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 contested directive sought to withhold citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on non-permanent visas.
The United States is one of about 30 countries – mostly in the North and South America – that grant instant citizenship to all those born on their soil.
