The nation's highest court will consider case questioning automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The US Supreme Court has decided to review a pivotal case that questions a historic constitutional right: birthright citizenship for people born within US borders.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, President Donald Trump signed an order aiming to end this practice, but the order was subsequently blocked by the judiciary after constitutional questions were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's eventual decision will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on temporary visas, or it will nullify those rights altogether.

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

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has established the principle that all individuals born in the United States is a US citizen, with specific conditions for children born to foreign diplomats and members of occupying armies.

"Anyone 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 deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US without legal status or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States belongs to a group of about three dozen nations – primarily in the Western Hemisphere – that award automatic citizenship to all those born on their soil.