America's top judicial body has decided to review legal challenge disputing birthright citizenship.

The top court has will hear a pivotal case that questions a century-old constitutional right: birthright citizenship for those born on American soil.

On day one in office this January, the administration signed an order aiming to halt this practice, but the move was subsequently blocked by federal courts after legal challenges were initiated.

The Supreme Court's ultimate judgment will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on non-immigrant visas, or it will end the provision completely.

Next, the justices will set a time to hear arguments between the federal government and the suing parties, which comprise immigrant parents and their young children.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has codified the rule that anyone born in the nation is a American citizen, with specific conditions for children born to foreign diplomats and members of foreign military forces.

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

The contested executive order sought to withhold citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on short-term status.

The United States belongs to a group of about a minority of states – primarily in the North and South America – that provide instant citizenship to any person born on their soil.