The nation's highest court has decided to hear case questioning automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The top court has will hear a landmark case that challenges a longstanding guarantee: birthright citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

On the inaugural day in office this January, the President signed an order aiming to halt this practice, but the move was halted by the judiciary after constitutional questions were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's final judgment will either affirm citizenship rights for the infants of foreign nationals who are in the US undocumented or on short-term permits, or it will nullify those rights entirely.

Next, the justices will calendar a session to hear the case between the government and claimants, which comprise immigrant parents and their infants.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For over a century and a half, the 14th Amendment has established the rule that every person born in the United States is a American citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and personnel 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 refuse citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on short-term status.

The United States is one of about three dozen nations – mostly in the North and South America – that provide immediate citizenship to anyone born within their borders.