US Supreme Court has decided to hear case disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The US Supreme Court has decided to review a significant case that challenges a longstanding guarantee: guaranteed citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

On day one in office this winter, the administration issued an executive order aiming to halt birthright citizenship, but the order was subsequently blocked by the judiciary after legal challenges were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's final decision will ultimately support citizenship rights for the offspring of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will nullify them entirely.

Next, the court will calendar a session to hear the case between the administration and plaintiffs, which involve immigrant parents and their infants.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has codified the doctrine that every person born in the nation is a citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to foreign diplomats and personnel of invading forces.

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

The disputed directive sought to withhold citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US illegally or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – mostly in the North and South America – that award instant citizenship to anyone born on their soil.