US Supreme Court will consider legal challenge challenging automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The US Supreme Court has will hear a landmark case that puts to the test a longstanding principle: guaranteed citizenship for people born on American soil.

On his first day in office this January, the President enacted a directive aiming to end the policy, but the order was subsequently blocked by federal courts after legal challenges were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's ultimate ruling will either uphold citizenship rights for the infants of immigrants who are in the US without authorization or on temporary visas, or it will overturn them entirely.

Next, the court will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the administration and the suing parties, which include foreign-born parents and their young children.

The 14th Amendment

For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has established the principle that anyone born in the nation is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and personnel of occupying armies.

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

The disputed directive 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 30 countries – mostly in the North and South America – that provide automatic citizenship to all those born within their borders.