US Supreme Court agrees to hear case questioning birthright citizenship.

The nation's highest court has agreed to take on a landmark case that questions a historic principle: guaranteed citizenship for individuals born within US borders.

On his first day in office this winter, the President issued an executive order aiming to terminate this practice, but the move was struck down by the judiciary after lawsuits were initiated.

The Supreme Court's ultimate decision will either support citizenship rights for the children of migrants who are in the US without authorization or on short-term permits, or it will end them entirely.

Next, the court will calendar a session to hear oral arguments between the government and claimants, which include parents who are immigrants and their newborns.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For nearly 160 years, the Fourteenth Amendment has codified the principle that all individuals born in the United States is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and personnel of occupying armies.

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

The disputed presidential order sought to refuse 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 30 countries – primarily in the Americas – that provide instant citizenship to all those born on their soil.