The nation's highest court will review case questioning birthright citizenship.

The nation's highest court has decided to review a landmark case that puts to the test a longstanding principle: guaranteed citizenship for individuals born on American soil.

On day one in office this winter, the President signed an order aiming to terminate this practice, but the move was halted by lower courts after constitutional questions were initiated.

The Supreme Court's final judgment will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the offspring of migrants who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will end them altogether.

Next, the justices will calendar a session to hear arguments between the administration and plaintiffs, which involve foreign-born parents and their newborns.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has codified the doctrine that every person born in the country is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and members of occupying armies.

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

The contested executive order sought to withhold citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States belongs to a group of about 30 countries – primarily in the Western Hemisphere – that provide instant citizenship to anyone born within their borders.