The nation's highest court will consider legal challenge disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The US Supreme Court has agreed to take on a significant case that challenges a century-old guarantee: birthright citizenship for individuals born on American soil.

On day one in office this January, President Donald Trump signed an order aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the move was halted by lower courts after constitutional questions were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's final judgment will either uphold citizenship rights for the infants of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will end them entirely.

Next, the court will calendar a session to hear oral arguments between the administration and plaintiffs, which involve parents who are immigrants and their infants.

The Legal Foundation

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has established the rule that anyone born in the nation is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to foreign diplomats and members of invading forces.

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

The contested presidential order sought to deny citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is among about three dozen nations – mostly in the Americas – that grant automatic citizenship to any person born on their soil.