The nation's highest court agrees to hear lawsuit questioning birthright citizenship.

The nation's highest court has will hear a landmark case that puts to the test a longstanding guarantee: automatic citizenship for individuals born within US borders.

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

The Supreme Court's ultimate decision will either support citizenship rights for the infants of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will overturn the provision entirely.

Next, the justices will schedule a date to hear the case between the government and plaintiffs, which comprise parents who are immigrants and their young children.

The 14th Amendment

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has enshrined the doctrine that every person born in the nation is a US citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to diplomats and members of foreign military 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 withhold citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on short-term status.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – mostly in the Western Hemisphere – that provide instant citizenship to all those born in their territory.