The nation's highest court will consider case disputing birthright citizenship.

The top court has decided to review a significant case that puts to the test a historic guarantee: birthright citizenship for people born in the United States.

On his first day in office this winter, the President enacted a directive aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the action was subsequently blocked by lower courts after constitutional questions were initiated.

The Supreme Court's ultimate decision will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the offspring of immigrants who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will end them altogether.

Next, the justices will set a time to hear the case between the federal government and plaintiffs, which involve foreign-born parents and their newborns.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For more than 150 years, the 14th Amendment has codified the rule that anyone born in the United States is a citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to diplomats and members of invading forces.

"Anyone 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 offspring of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States belongs to a group of about three dozen nations – primarily in the North and South America – that grant instant citizenship to any person born on their soil.