America's top judicial body will review lawsuit disputing birthright citizenship.

The nation's highest court has will hear a pivotal case that challenges a century-old constitutional right: birthright citizenship for people born in the United States.

On his first day in office this winter, the President signed an order aiming to halt the policy, but the order was halted by federal courts after constitutional questions were filed.

The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will either affirm citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US without authorization or on temporary visas, or it will overturn the provision completely.

Next, the court will schedule a date to hear arguments between the administration and claimants, which comprise foreign-born parents and their newborns.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has enshrined the doctrine that all individuals born in the country is a American citizen, with exceptions for children born to embassy personnel and personnel of occupying armies.

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

The challenged executive order sought to deny citizenship to the offspring of people who are either in the US without legal status or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is one of about a minority of states – mostly in the Western Hemisphere – that grant automatic citizenship to all those born within their borders.