America's top judicial body agrees to review legal challenge disputing birthright citizenship.

The US Supreme Court has will hear a pivotal case that puts to the test a longstanding principle: birthright citizenship for those born on American soil.

On the inaugural day in office this January, the administration signed an order aiming to end this practice, but the order was subsequently blocked by lower courts after legal challenges were filed.

The Supreme Court's final decision will ultimately support citizenship rights for the infants of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on short-term permits, or it will end the provision completely.

Next, the judges will schedule a date to hear arguments between the administration and plaintiffs, which include parents who are immigrants and their infants.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has codified the principle that all individuals born in the country is a US citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to diplomats and personnel 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 contested presidential order sought to withhold citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – mostly in the North and South America – that grant automatic citizenship to any person born in their territory.