America's top judicial body will hear case questioning birthright citizenship.

The US Supreme Court has will hear a pivotal case that puts to the test a historic principle: birthright citizenship for individuals born on American soil.

On day one in office this winter, the administration enacted a directive aiming to halt this practice, but the move was halted by federal courts after lawsuits were initiated.

The Supreme Court's ultimate judgment will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the offspring of immigrants who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will end the provision altogether.

Next, the court will set a time to hear the case between the government and claimants, which comprise immigrant parents and their young children.

The 14th Amendment

For nearly 160 years, the Fourteenth Amendment has established the principle that all individuals born in the country is a US citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to embassy personnel and personnel of occupying armies.

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

The challenged executive order sought to withhold citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US illegally or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States belongs to a group of about a minority of states – largely in the Americas – that provide immediate citizenship to any person born within their borders.