US Supreme Court will consider case disputing birthright citizenship.

The nation's highest court has will hear a landmark case that puts to the test a historic constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

On day one in office this January, the administration enacted a directive aiming to end this practice, but the move was subsequently blocked by the judiciary after lawsuits were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's final judgment will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on non-immigrant visas, or it will nullify those rights entirely.

Next, the justices will calendar a session to hear the case between the government and the suing parties, which involve parents who are immigrants and their young children.

The 14th Amendment

For more than 150 years, the Constitutional amendment has enshrined the principle that anyone born in the United States is a citizen, with specific conditions for children born to embassy personnel and personnel of invading forces.

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

The challenged directive sought to refuse citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – mostly in the Western Hemisphere – that provide immediate citizenship to all those born in their territory.