The nation's highest court agrees to consider lawsuit questioning citizenship by birth.

The top court has decided to review a significant case that challenges a longstanding constitutional right: birthright citizenship for individuals born within US borders.

On day one in office this winter, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aiming to terminate the policy, but the order was halted by federal courts after lawsuits were initiated.

The Supreme Court's final decision will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the infants of foreign nationals who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will end the provision entirely.

Next, the court will calendar a session to hear the case between the federal government and the suing parties, which include immigrant parents and their newborns.

The 14th Amendment

For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has codified the rule that anyone born in the nation is a citizen, with specific conditions for children born to foreign diplomats and personnel 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 disputed directive sought to withhold citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on short-term status.

The United States is among about three dozen nations – primarily in the Americas – that provide automatic citizenship to any person born within their borders.