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

The nation's highest court has will hear a landmark case that questions a century-old principle: birthright citizenship for people born within US borders.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, the President issued an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the order was struck down by lower courts after legal challenges were filed.

The Supreme Court's eventual judgment will either uphold citizenship rights for the offspring of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will end them altogether.

Next, the judges will calendar a session to hear the case between the government and claimants, which involve parents who are immigrants and their infants.

The 14th Amendment

For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has codified the rule that all individuals born in the nation is a citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to embassy personnel and members 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 challenged directive sought to withhold citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States belongs to a group of about 30 countries – largely in the North and South America – that award instant citizenship to any person born on their soil.