US Supreme Court has decided to review legal challenge disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.
The US Supreme Court has will hear a landmark case that challenges a century-old constitutional right: birthright citizenship for people born in the United States.
On the inaugural day in office this January, the President issued an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the move was halted by the judiciary after legal challenges were filed.
The Supreme Court's final judgment will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the children of immigrants who are in the US illegally or on non-immigrant visas, or it will end the provision altogether.
Next, the court will schedule a date to hear the case between the federal government and claimants, which involve parents who are immigrants and their newborns.
A Constitutional Cornerstone
For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has established the rule that all individuals born in the country is a American citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and personnel of occupying armies.
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."
The challenged executive order sought to refuse citizenship to the offspring of people who are whether in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on short-term status.
The United States is one of about 30 countries – primarily in the North and South America – that award automatic citizenship to anyone born on their soil.
