America's top judicial body will consider lawsuit challenging birthright citizenship.

The nation's highest court has decided to review a pivotal case that questions a century-old guarantee: guaranteed citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, the administration signed an order aiming to terminate this practice, but the action was halted by the judiciary after constitutional questions were initiated.

The Supreme Court's ultimate decision will either affirm citizenship rights for the offspring of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will nullify the provision entirely.

Next, the justices will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the federal government and plaintiffs, which comprise parents who are immigrants and their young children.

The 14th Amendment

For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has enshrined the principle that all individuals born in the country is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to embassy personnel and members of foreign military forces.

"Anyone 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 withhold citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on short-term status.

The United States is among about three dozen nations – primarily in the North and South America – that provide automatic citizenship to all those born in their territory.