The nation's highest court has decided to hear case questioning automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The nation's highest court has agreed to take on a significant case that puts to the test a historic guarantee: birthright citizenship for those born within US borders.

On his first day in office this winter, the President signed an order aiming to halt this practice, but the action was subsequently blocked by the judiciary after constitutional questions were initiated.

The Supreme Court's ultimate decision will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the offspring of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will nullify them altogether.

Next, the court will set a time to hear the case between the federal government and the suing parties, which include parents who are immigrants and their infants.

The 14th Amendment

For more than 150 years, the Constitutional amendment has established the principle that anyone born in the United States is a American citizen, with specific conditions for children born to embassy personnel and members 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 directive 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 30 countries – primarily in the Western Hemisphere – that provide immediate citizenship to any person born within their borders.