US Supreme Court agrees to consider case disputing birthright citizenship.

The top court has decided to review a significant case that challenges a century-old constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for people born within US borders.

On day one in office this January, the administration enacted a directive aiming to halt birthright citizenship, but the action was subsequently blocked by lower courts after legal challenges were filed.

The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will either support citizenship rights for the children of migrants who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will end them completely.

Next, the court will schedule a date to hear arguments between the administration and claimants, which include immigrant parents and their young children.

The Legal Foundation

For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has codified the rule that all individuals born in the country is a citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to diplomats and personnel of invading forces.

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

The disputed directive sought to deny citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – primarily in the Western Hemisphere – that provide automatic citizenship to any person born within their borders.