America's top judicial body agrees to consider lawsuit disputing birthright citizenship.

The US Supreme Court has decided to review a significant case that questions a century-old constitutional right: automatic citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, the administration enacted a directive aiming to halt birthright citizenship, but the action was struck down by the judiciary after constitutional questions were initiated.

The Supreme Court's final judgment will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will overturn those rights entirely.

Next, the court will calendar a session to hear arguments between the administration and claimants, which comprise parents who are immigrants and their newborns.

The 14th Amendment

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has established the principle that every person born in the United States is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to foreign diplomats and members of occupying armies.

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

The contested directive 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 a minority of states – primarily in the North and South America – that grant immediate citizenship to all those born within their borders.