The nation's highest court will hear case disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The US Supreme Court has decided to review a pivotal case that questions a historic principle: guaranteed citizenship for those born in the United States.

On his first day in office this winter, the President issued an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the move was subsequently blocked by lower courts after constitutional questions were filed.

The Supreme Court's ultimate judgment will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the children of migrants who are in the US illegally or on temporary visas, or it will nullify the provision entirely.

Next, the judges will calendar a session to hear oral arguments between the federal government and plaintiffs, which involve parents who are immigrants and their young children.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For more than 150 years, the 14th Amendment has established the principle that anyone born in the United States is a US citizen, with exceptions 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 directive sought to deny citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on short-term status.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – largely in the North and South America – that award automatic citizenship to anyone born within their borders.