America's top judicial body will hear legal challenge questioning automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

Judicial building

The US Supreme Court has decided to review a landmark case that challenges a century-old constitutional right: automatic citizenship for individuals born within US borders.

On the inaugural day in office this January, the President signed an order aiming to end the policy, but the order was struck down by the judiciary after legal challenges were filed.

The Supreme Court's final ruling will either support citizenship rights for the infants of migrants who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will end them altogether.

Next, the court will schedule a date to hear oral arguments between the federal government and plaintiffs, which comprise immigrant parents and their newborns.

The Legal Foundation

For more than 150 years, the Constitutional amendment has codified the rule that anyone born in the country is a citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to foreign diplomats and members 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 contested presidential order sought to deny citizenship to the children 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 belongs to a group of about a minority of states – mostly in the Americas – that provide automatic citizenship to all those born in their territory.

Danielle Burnett
Danielle Burnett

A passionate gamer and content creator with years of experience in strategy guides and community engagement.