US Supreme Court has decided to consider case challenging birthright citizenship.

The top court has will hear a significant case that puts to the test a longstanding constitutional right: birthright citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

On the inaugural day in office this January, the President enacted a directive aiming to terminate the policy, but the action was subsequently blocked by the judiciary after lawsuits were filed.

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

Next, the judges will set a time to hear oral arguments between the administration and claimants, which involve parents who are immigrants and their young children.

The Legal Foundation

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has enshrined the rule that every person born in the United States is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats 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 refuse citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States is one of about a minority of states – primarily in the Western Hemisphere – that grant instant citizenship to anyone born on their soil.