US Supreme Court agrees to consider lawsuit challenging automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The nation's highest court has decided to review a significant case that questions a historic principle: automatic citizenship for people born in the United States.

On day one in office this winter, the administration enacted a directive aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the order was halted by lower courts after legal challenges were filed.

The Supreme Court's eventual judgment will either support citizenship rights for the infants of migrants who are in the US illegally or on non-immigrant visas, or it will overturn the provision entirely.

Next, the court will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the administration and claimants, which comprise immigrant parents and their infants.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has codified the rule that all individuals born in the United States is a US citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and members of foreign military forces.

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

The contested executive order sought to deny citizenship to the children 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 three dozen nations – mostly in the North and South America – that award instant citizenship to any person born in their territory.