America's top judicial body agrees to review lawsuit challenging citizenship by birth.
The US Supreme Court has will hear a significant case that puts to the test a century-old principle: guaranteed citizenship for individuals born on American soil.
On his first day in office this winter, the President enacted a directive aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the action was struck down by federal courts after constitutional questions were initiated.
The Supreme Court's eventual judgment will either affirm citizenship rights for the offspring of migrants who are in the US without authorization or on non-immigrant visas, or it will overturn the provision altogether.
Next, the justices will schedule a date to hear the case between the administration and plaintiffs, which comprise foreign-born parents and their infants.
A Constitutional Cornerstone
For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has enshrined the doctrine that every person born in the United States is a American 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 contested presidential order sought to refuse citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on non-permanent visas.
The United States is one of about 30 countries – largely in the Americas – that provide instant citizenship to anyone born on their soil.
