The nation's highest court has decided to review lawsuit challenging automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The US Supreme Court has will hear a significant case that puts to the test a longstanding constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for people born in the United States.

On the inaugural day in office this January, the administration issued an executive order aiming to terminate the policy, but the order was subsequently blocked by the judiciary after lawsuits were filed.

The Supreme Court's final decision will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the infants of migrants who are in the US illegally or on temporary visas, or it will overturn those rights altogether.

Next, the court will set a time to hear oral arguments between the government and claimants, which include foreign-born parents and their young children.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has codified the rule that all individuals born in the nation is a US citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and members of foreign military forces.

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

The disputed executive order sought to withhold citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is among about 30 countries – largely in the North and South America – that award immediate citizenship to all those born on their soil.