US Supreme Court will hear lawsuit questioning birthright citizenship.

The nation's highest court has agreed to take on a significant case that challenges a historic constitutional right: birthright citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

On day one in office this winter, the administration enacted a directive aiming to terminate birthright citizenship, but the move was halted by federal courts after lawsuits were initiated.

The Supreme Court's ultimate judgment will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the offspring of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on temporary visas, or it will end them altogether.

Next, the court will set a time to hear arguments between the federal government and the suing parties, which include foreign-born parents and their infants.

The Legal Foundation

For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has enshrined the doctrine that all individuals born in the nation is a American citizen, with exceptions for children born to foreign diplomats and members of invading forces.

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

The challenged executive order sought to deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US without legal status or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States belongs to a group of about three dozen nations – primarily in the Americas – that award instant citizenship to anyone born on their soil.