The nation's highest court agrees to hear case questioning citizenship by birth.

The nation's highest court has decided to review a landmark case that puts to the test a century-old guarantee: birthright citizenship for individuals born on American soil.

On his first day in office this January, the President signed an order aiming to terminate birthright citizenship, but the order was struck down by lower courts after constitutional questions were initiated.

The Supreme Court's eventual decision will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the offspring of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on non-immigrant visas, or it will end the provision altogether.

Next, the court will schedule a date to hear arguments between the administration and claimants, which include parents who are immigrants and their infants.

The 14th Amendment

For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has codified the principle that anyone born in the country is a American citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and personnel of invading forces.

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

The challenged directive sought to deny citizenship to the offspring of people who are either in the US without legal status or are in the country on short-term status.

The United States belongs to a group of about a minority of states – largely in the Western Hemisphere – that provide immediate citizenship to any person born in their territory.