US Supreme Court has decided to review case challenging automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The top court has will hear a pivotal case that questions a longstanding constitutional right: automatic citizenship for those born within US borders.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, the administration enacted a directive aiming to halt birthright citizenship, but the move was struck down by lower courts after constitutional questions were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's ultimate ruling will either support citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US illegally or on temporary visas, or it will overturn those rights altogether.

Next, the court will schedule a date to hear the case between the government and the suing parties, which include parents who are immigrants and their newborns.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has established the rule that anyone born in the nation is a US citizen, with specific conditions for children born to embassy personnel and members of foreign military forces.

"Anyone 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 withhold citizenship to the children 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 a minority of states – mostly in the North and South America – that grant automatic citizenship to any person born on their soil.