US Supreme Court has decided to review case disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.
The nation's highest court has agreed to take on a significant case that questions a longstanding principle: guaranteed citizenship for people born on American soil.
On the inaugural day in office this winter, the President issued an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the action was subsequently blocked by lower courts after legal challenges were brought forward.
The Supreme Court's ultimate judgment will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the infants of foreign nationals who are in the US undocumented or on short-term permits, or it will end them completely.
Next, the justices will schedule a date to hear arguments between the administration and claimants, which include foreign-born parents and their young children.
The Legal Foundation
For more than 150 years, the Constitutional amendment has established the principle that every person born in the United States is a American citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to diplomats and members of invading forces.
"Anyone born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."
The contested directive sought to withhold citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on non-permanent visas.
The United States is among about 30 countries – primarily in the Western Hemisphere – that award instant citizenship to any person born on their soil.
