America's top judicial body agrees to review legal challenge disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The top court has will hear a significant case that questions a century-old guarantee: guaranteed citizenship for those born within US borders.

On day one in office this winter, the administration issued an executive order aiming to end the policy, but the order was struck down by the judiciary after lawsuits were initiated.

The Supreme Court's final judgment will either affirm citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on non-immigrant visas, or it will nullify them entirely.

Next, the justices will set a time to hear arguments between the government and claimants, which comprise parents who are immigrants and their young children.

The 14th Amendment

For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has codified the doctrine that all individuals born in the United States is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to foreign diplomats and personnel of foreign military forces.

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

The contested executive order sought to deny citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States belongs to a group of about 30 countries – primarily in the Western Hemisphere – that provide instant citizenship to anyone born within their borders.