America's top judicial body will hear lawsuit challenging citizenship by birth.
The top court has will hear a pivotal case that puts to the test a century-old constitutional right: automatic citizenship for individuals born within US borders.
On day one in office this winter, the President signed an order aiming to end the policy, but the order was subsequently blocked by federal courts after legal challenges were brought forward.
The Supreme Court's final ruling will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the infants of immigrants who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will end the provision completely.
Next, the judges will schedule a date to hear arguments between the federal government and the suing parties, which include foreign-born parents and their newborns.
The 14th Amendment
For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has codified the rule that all individuals born in the nation is a citizen, with exceptions 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 presidential order sought to withhold citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US illegally or are in the country on non-permanent visas.
The United States is one of about 30 countries – largely in the Americas – that grant automatic citizenship to all those born within their borders.
