US Supreme Court will hear legal challenge questioning automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The US Supreme Court has agreed to take on a landmark case that challenges a historic principle: birthright citizenship for those born within US borders.

On the inaugural day in office this January, the President enacted a directive aiming to halt birthright citizenship, but the order was struck down by federal courts after legal challenges were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's eventual decision will either uphold citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will end the provision entirely.

Next, the justices will calendar a session to hear the case between the federal government and the suing parties, which involve foreign-born parents and their infants.

The Legal Foundation

For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has established the principle that anyone born in the country is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to foreign diplomats and members of foreign military forces.

"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 deny citizenship to the offspring of people who are either in the US without legal status or are in the country on short-term status.

The United States is among about three dozen nations – primarily in the Americas – that award immediate citizenship to anyone born in their territory.