America's top judicial body has decided to hear case questioning birthright citizenship.

The top court has decided to review a landmark case that puts to the test a historic guarantee: birthright citizenship for people born within US borders.

On his first day in office this January, the administration enacted a directive aiming to end this practice, but the order was subsequently blocked by the judiciary after lawsuits were filed.

The Supreme Court's eventual decision will ultimately support citizenship rights for the infants of migrants who are in the US undocumented or on non-immigrant visas, or it will end those rights completely.

Next, the court will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the administration and plaintiffs, which comprise parents who are immigrants and their newborns.

The 14th Amendment

For more than 150 years, the 14th Amendment has codified the doctrine that every person born in the nation is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to foreign diplomats and members 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 presidential order sought to refuse citizenship to the offspring of people who are either in the US illegally or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is among about 30 countries – primarily in the North and South America – that award immediate citizenship to anyone born in their territory.