The nation's highest court has decided to hear legal challenge challenging birthright citizenship.

The US Supreme Court has will hear a significant case that questions a historic constitutional right: automatic citizenship for those born on American soil.

On his first day in office this January, the President signed an order aiming to end this practice, but the order was subsequently blocked by lower courts after legal challenges were filed.

The Supreme Court's final decision will either support citizenship rights for the offspring of immigrants who are in the US illegally or on temporary visas, or it will overturn them altogether.

Next, the court will calendar a session to hear oral arguments between the federal government and plaintiffs, which comprise foreign-born parents and their infants.

The 14th Amendment

For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has codified the doctrine that every person born in the nation is a American citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and personnel of occupying armies.

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

The challenged presidential order 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 – primarily in the North and South America – that award instant citizenship to any person born within their borders.