US Supreme Court will hear lawsuit disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The US Supreme Court has will hear a significant case that puts to the test a longstanding guarantee: birthright citizenship for individuals born within US borders.

On his first day in office this winter, President Donald Trump signed an order aiming to end this practice, but the action was struck down by federal courts after legal challenges were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's ultimate judgment will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the offspring of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will end them altogether.

Next, the justices will schedule a date to hear the case between the administration and plaintiffs, which involve immigrant parents and their newborns.

The 14th Amendment

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has established the doctrine that every person born in the United States is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to embassy personnel and members of occupying armies.

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

The challenged presidential order sought to refuse citizenship to the offspring of people who are either 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 Americas – that grant instant citizenship to anyone born on their soil.