The nation's highest court will hear case disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.
The US Supreme Court has agreed to take on a pivotal case that questions a longstanding principle: birthright citizenship for people born on American soil.
On the inaugural day in office this January, the President signed an order aiming to halt this practice, but the order was struck down by the judiciary after constitutional questions were brought forward.
The Supreme Court's final decision will either affirm citizenship rights for the infants of migrants who are in the US undocumented or on short-term permits, or it will end those rights entirely.
Next, the court will calendar a session to hear the case between the government and plaintiffs, which include parents who are immigrants and their young children.
A Constitutional Cornerstone
For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has enshrined the principle that every person born in the United States is a American citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to diplomats and members of invading forces.
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."
The challenged presidential order sought to refuse 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 one of about 30 countries – primarily in the North and South America – that provide immediate citizenship to anyone born in their territory.
