The nation's highest court has decided to review lawsuit disputing birthright citizenship.

The top court has agreed to take on a significant case that challenges a historic constitutional right: automatic citizenship for people born in the United States.

On day one in office this winter, President Donald Trump signed an order aiming to halt birthright citizenship, but the order was halted by federal courts after constitutional questions were initiated.

The Supreme Court's eventual decision will either affirm citizenship rights for the infants of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will nullify the provision entirely.

Next, the court will set a time to hear oral arguments between the administration and the suing parties, which comprise parents who are immigrants and their young children.

The 14th Amendment

For more than 150 years, the 14th Amendment has enshrined the doctrine that anyone born in the United States is a citizen, with specific conditions for children born to embassy personnel 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 disputed directive sought to deny citizenship to the offspring 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 is among about three dozen nations – primarily in the Western Hemisphere – that award instant citizenship to all those born within their borders.