America's top judicial body will hear legal challenge disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.
The top court has agreed to take on a pivotal case that challenges a longstanding guarantee: birthright citizenship for individuals born within US borders.
On the inaugural day in office this January, the administration enacted a directive aiming to halt birthright citizenship, but the action was subsequently blocked by lower courts after lawsuits were initiated.
The Supreme Court's ultimate ruling will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the infants of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on non-immigrant visas, or it will end the provision entirely.
Next, the judges will set a time to hear arguments between the government and the suing parties, which comprise parents who are immigrants and their infants.
A Constitutional Cornerstone
For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has enshrined the doctrine that all individuals born in the country is a citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and personnel of invading forces.
"Every individual 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 children of people who are either in the US illegally or are in the country on short-term status.
The United States is among about a minority of states – largely in the Americas – that provide instant citizenship to any person born in their territory.
