America's top judicial body has decided to review legal challenge challenging birthright citizenship.

The nation's highest court has will hear a landmark case that questions a historic constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for people born on American soil.

On the inaugural day in office this January, the President enacted a directive aiming to terminate birthright citizenship, but the action was struck down by federal courts after lawsuits were filed.

The Supreme Court's eventual decision will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the infants of foreign nationals who are in the US undocumented or on short-term permits, or it will end those rights altogether.

Next, the justices will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the federal government and plaintiffs, which include foreign-born parents and their young children.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has enshrined the rule that anyone born in the United States is a American citizen, with exceptions for children born to foreign diplomats 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 executive order sought to withhold 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 among about a minority of states – mostly in the North and South America – that award immediate citizenship to all those born on their soil.