America's top judicial body will consider legal challenge questioning birthright citizenship.
The US Supreme Court has decided to review a significant case that puts to the test a century-old guarantee: guaranteed citizenship for individuals born within US borders.
On his first day in office this winter, the President issued an executive order aiming to halt birthright citizenship, but the move was struck down by the judiciary after legal challenges were initiated.
The Supreme Court's final decision will either uphold citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will end the provision entirely.
Next, the court will schedule a date to hear the case between the administration and plaintiffs, which involve parents who are immigrants and their young children.
The Legal Foundation
For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has established the doctrine that every person born in the country is a citizen, with specific conditions 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 disputed directive sought to refuse citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US without legal status or are in the country on short-term status.
The United States is among about 30 countries – largely in the Western Hemisphere – that award automatic citizenship to all those born within their borders.
