The nation's highest court will review legal challenge disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.
The top court has decided to review a significant case that puts to the test a historic principle: birthright citizenship for individuals born on American soil.
On day one in office this January, the administration enacted a directive aiming to end this practice, but the order was struck down by the judiciary after constitutional questions were brought forward.
The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will either uphold citizenship rights for the offspring of foreign nationals who are in the US without authorization or on non-immigrant visas, or it will nullify the provision entirely.
Next, the court will set a time to hear oral arguments between the government and the suing parties, which involve immigrant parents and their infants.
The 14th Amendment
For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has established the doctrine that anyone born in the United States is a American citizen, with specific conditions for children born to embassy personnel and members of occupying armies.
"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 children of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on non-permanent visas.
The United States is one of about three dozen nations – primarily in the North and South America – that grant automatic citizenship to any person born within their borders.
