The nation's highest court has decided to consider legal challenge challenging automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

Judicial building

The top court has will hear a landmark case that puts to the test a longstanding principle: guaranteed citizenship for people born within US borders.

On day one in office this January, President Donald Trump enacted a directive aiming to halt this practice, but the action was halted by the judiciary after legal challenges were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's final judgment will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the offspring of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will nullify them entirely.

Next, the justices will set a time to hear oral arguments between the administration and claimants, which involve parents who are immigrants and their infants.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has codified the principle that every person born in the nation is a American citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to foreign diplomats and personnel of invading forces.

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

The disputed directive sought to refuse citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States belongs to a group of about three dozen nations – primarily in the Americas – that grant instant citizenship to all those born within their borders.

Chase Pierce
Chase Pierce

Seasoned blackjack enthusiast and strategy coach with over a decade of experience in casino gaming.