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

Supreme Court building

The nation's highest court has decided to review a significant case that puts to the test a longstanding guarantee: birthright citizenship for people born within US borders.

On the inaugural day in office this January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aiming to halt the policy, but the move was subsequently blocked by lower courts after constitutional questions were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's ultimate judgment will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the infants of immigrants who are in the US without authorization or on short-term permits, or it will overturn those rights completely.

Next, the judges will set a time to hear arguments between the federal government and the suing parties, which comprise parents who are immigrants and their newborns.

A Constitutional Cornerstone

For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has established the rule that every person born in the country is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to embassy personnel and personnel of occupying armies.

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

The challenged directive sought to deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US illegally or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is among about three dozen nations – mostly in the North and South America – that grant automatic citizenship to all those born within their borders.

Paul Liu
Paul Liu

A passionate fiber artist and educator sharing her love for spinning and sustainable crafting practices.

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