America's top judicial body has decided to hear lawsuit disputing birthright citizenship.
The US Supreme Court has agreed to take on a significant case that questions a historic constitutional right: automatic citizenship for individuals born on American soil.
On day one in office this January, President Donald Trump signed an order aiming to terminate the policy, but the order was halted by the judiciary after lawsuits were initiated.
The Supreme Court's final judgment will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the offspring of migrants who are in the US without authorization or on short-term permits, or it will end them completely.
Next, the court will schedule a date to hear the case between the administration and the suing parties, which comprise immigrant parents and their young children.
A Constitutional Cornerstone
For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has enshrined the rule that every person born in the United States is a American citizen, with exceptions for children born to foreign diplomats and personnel of occupying armies.
"Every individual born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."
The disputed directive sought to deny citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on short-term status.
The United States is one of about three dozen nations – primarily in the North and South America – that award automatic citizenship to any person born within their borders.
