America's top judicial body will consider lawsuit questioning birthright citizenship.
The US Supreme Court has decided to review a landmark case that puts to the test a century-old principle: automatic citizenship for people born on American soil.
On the inaugural day in office this winter, the administration enacted a directive aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the action was subsequently blocked by lower courts after constitutional questions were brought forward.
The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will overturn them altogether.
Next, the court will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the federal government and claimants, which include immigrant parents and their infants.
The Legal Foundation
For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has established the doctrine that anyone born in the nation is a citizen, with specific conditions for children born to 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 contested executive order sought to withhold 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 30 countries – largely in the North and South America – that grant automatic citizenship to all those born on their soil.
