In brief
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a pivotal case regarding birthright citizenship, which has been guaranteed for over 160 years by the 14th Amendment. This judicial review comes in the wake of an executive order by former President Trump aimed at terminating citizenship rights for children born to undocumented immigrants or those on temporary visas. The outcome will potentially reshape the citizenship landscape for future generations, depending on whether the Court upholds or strikes down the existing interpretation of the Constitution. Oral arguments are expected to be scheduled soon as the Court begins the process of deliberation.
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on whether the century-old constitutional right of guaranteed citizenship for those born in the US will remain.
On his first day in office in January, President Donald Trump signed an order to end birthright citizenship, but the move was blocked by lower courts after it was challenged over its constitutionality.
The Supreme Court's eventual ruling will either back citizenship rights for the children of migrants who are in the US illegally or on temporary visas, or end it.
Next, the justices will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the government and plaintiffs which include immigrant parents and their infants.
For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution has established the principle that anyone born in the country is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and foreign military forces.
The language of the amendment states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.
Trump's executive order sought to deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US illegally or are in the country on temporary visas.
The US is one of about 30 countries - mostly in the Americas - that grant automatic citizenship to anyone born within their borders.
