US Supreme Court will review case 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 historic guarantee: birthright citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

On day one in office this winter, the President enacted a directive aiming to halt the policy, but the order was halted by lower courts after legal challenges were filed.

The Supreme Court's final decision will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US without authorization or on temporary visas, or it will end the provision altogether.

Next, the court will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the federal government and the suing parties, which involve parents who are immigrants and their newborns.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has codified the rule that every person born in the nation is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to embassy personnel and personnel of foreign military forces.

"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 withhold citizenship to the offspring of people who are either in the US without legal status or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – largely in the North and South America – that award instant citizenship to any person born on their soil.