US Supreme Court will consider case disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The nation's highest court has decided to review a landmark case that puts to the test a historic principle: guaranteed citizenship for people born on American soil.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aiming to end this practice, but the action was halted by federal courts after legal challenges were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will either uphold citizenship rights for the offspring of migrants who are in the US undocumented or on non-immigrant visas, or it will overturn the provision completely.

Next, the justices will calendar a session to hear oral arguments between the administration and plaintiffs, which involve immigrant parents and their newborns.

The 14th Amendment

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has codified the rule that all individuals born in the country is a American citizen, with exceptions for children born to embassy personnel and members of foreign military forces.

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

The contested directive sought to withhold citizenship to the offspring 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 30 countries – mostly in the Western Hemisphere – that grant instant citizenship to any person born in their territory.