The nation's highest court has decided to review case disputing citizenship by birth.

The top court has will hear a pivotal case that questions a longstanding constitutional right: birthright citizenship for people born within US borders.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, the administration enacted a directive aiming to halt this practice, but the move was struck down by lower courts after lawsuits were filed.

The Supreme Court's ultimate judgment will either affirm citizenship rights for the infants of foreign nationals who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will overturn the provision entirely.

Next, the justices will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the administration and plaintiffs, which involve immigrant parents and their newborns.

The Legal Foundation

For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has established the doctrine that anyone born in the country is a US citizen, with specific conditions for children born to embassy personnel 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 presidential order sought to deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – primarily in the North and South America – that grant instant citizenship to anyone born in their territory.