America's top judicial body has decided to review case questioning automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The US Supreme Court has decided to review a landmark case that questions a historic guarantee: automatic citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, the administration issued an executive order aiming to terminate this practice, but the move was subsequently blocked by federal courts after lawsuits were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's eventual decision will either uphold citizenship rights for the offspring of immigrants who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will nullify those rights completely.

Next, the justices will calendar a session to hear arguments between the government and claimants, which involve immigrant parents and their young children.

The Legal Foundation

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has enshrined the rule that all individuals born in the United States is a US citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and personnel of invading forces.

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

The disputed presidential order sought to deny 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 – primarily in the North and South America – that award immediate citizenship to anyone born on their soil.