The nation's highest court will consider lawsuit challenging automatic citizenship for those born in the US.
The nation's highest court has will hear a pivotal case that puts to the test a historic principle: guaranteed citizenship for people born in the United States.
On the inaugural day in office this January, the President issued an executive order aiming to halt the policy, but the move was struck down by the judiciary after lawsuits were brought forward.
The Supreme Court's eventual judgment will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the offspring of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will end the provision completely.
Next, the court will calendar a session to hear the case between the administration and the suing parties, which include foreign-born parents and their young children.
The Legal Foundation
For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has codified the principle that every person born in the United States is a American citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to foreign diplomats and personnel of occupying armies.
"Every individual 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 deny citizenship to the offspring of people who are either in the US illegally or are in the country on short-term status.
The United States is among about three dozen nations – largely in the Americas – that grant instant citizenship to any person born on their soil.
