The nation's highest court agrees to hear case challenging automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The top court has will hear a pivotal case that puts to the test a historic principle: automatic citizenship for individuals born within US borders.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, the administration signed an order aiming to terminate this practice, but the order was struck down by lower courts after lawsuits were filed.

The Supreme Court's final judgment will ultimately support citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US illegally or on temporary visas, or it will overturn the provision entirely.

Next, the judges will schedule a date to hear arguments between the government and claimants, which comprise foreign-born parents and their young children.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has codified the doctrine that anyone born in the country is a US citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and personnel of foreign military forces.

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

The disputed executive order sought to deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US without legal status or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is among about 30 countries – mostly in the Western Hemisphere – that provide immediate citizenship to anyone born within their borders.