The nation's highest court will review case challenging automatic citizenship for those born in the US.
The top court has agreed to take on a landmark case that puts to the test a historic constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for those born within US borders.
On the inaugural day in office this January, the President enacted a directive aiming to terminate the policy, but the move was struck down by federal courts after legal challenges were initiated.
The Supreme Court's eventual decision will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US without authorization or on short-term permits, or it will end the provision completely.
Next, the judges will schedule a date to hear arguments between the federal government and plaintiffs, which comprise immigrant parents and their infants.
The 14th Amendment
For more than 150 years, the 14th Amendment has codified the principle that anyone born in the United States is a citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and members 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 contested directive sought to refuse citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on short-term status.
The United States is one of about a minority of states – largely in the North and South America – that provide instant citizenship to any person born within their borders.
