America's top judicial body will consider legal challenge challenging automatic citizenship for those born in the US.
The nation's highest court has decided to review a landmark case that puts to the test a century-old constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for people born within US borders.
On the inaugural day in office this January, the President enacted a directive aiming to halt birthright citizenship, but the action was subsequently blocked by federal courts after lawsuits were initiated.
The Supreme Court's final judgment will ultimately support citizenship rights for the offspring of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on short-term permits, or it will end the provision entirely.
Next, the court will calendar a session to hear the case between the federal government and plaintiffs, which include foreign-born parents and their newborns.
A Constitutional Cornerstone
For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has established the doctrine that anyone born in the nation is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to embassy personnel 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 disputed directive sought to refuse citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on non-permanent visas.
The United States is one of about three dozen nations – mostly in the North and South America – that provide instant citizenship to anyone born within their borders.
