US Supreme Court has decided to consider legal challenge disputing birthright citizenship.
The nation's highest court has will hear a significant case that questions a century-old constitutional right: birthright citizenship for those born within US borders.
On day one in office this January, the President enacted a directive aiming to terminate this practice, but the move was struck down by lower courts after lawsuits were brought forward.
The Supreme Court's final judgment will either affirm citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US without authorization or on non-immigrant visas, or it will overturn them completely.
Next, the justices will set a time to hear arguments between the government and the suing parties, which include parents who are immigrants and their newborns.
A Constitutional Cornerstone
For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has codified the doctrine that all individuals born in the nation is a citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to foreign diplomats and members of foreign military 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 deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US in violation of immigration law 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 immediate citizenship to any person born within their borders.
