America's top judicial body will hear legal challenge questioning automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The US Supreme Court has decided to review a significant case that challenges a century-old constitutional right: birthright citizenship for individuals born on American soil.

On his first day in office this winter, the President signed an order aiming to terminate this practice, but the order was halted by federal courts after constitutional questions were filed.

The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will ultimately support citizenship rights for the offspring of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on short-term permits, or it will overturn them entirely.

Next, the court will set a time to hear the case between the government and plaintiffs, which comprise parents who are immigrants and their young children.

The Legal Foundation

For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has enshrined the doctrine that every person born in the nation is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and members of occupying armies.

"Anyone 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 among about three dozen nations – mostly in the Americas – that award instant citizenship to any person born in their territory.