America's top judicial body has decided to review lawsuit challenging birthright citizenship.

The top court has will hear a significant case that questions a century-old constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

On day one in office this winter, the President signed an order aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the order was subsequently blocked by lower courts after constitutional questions were filed.

The Supreme Court's final ruling will either uphold citizenship rights for the infants of foreign nationals who are in the US without authorization or on temporary visas, or it will overturn them altogether.

Next, the judges will schedule a date to hear arguments between the federal government and claimants, which comprise foreign-born parents and their young children.

The 14th Amendment

For more than 150 years, the Fourteenth Amendment has established the rule that all individuals born in the country is a citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to foreign 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 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 one of about a minority of states – primarily in the Americas – that provide instant citizenship to any person born within their borders.