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

The nation's highest court has agreed to take on a landmark case that puts to the test a longstanding guarantee: automatic citizenship for individuals born on American soil.

On the inaugural day in office this January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aiming to halt birthright citizenship, but the move was struck down by the judiciary after legal challenges were initiated.

The Supreme Court's ultimate decision will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the children of migrants who are in the US without authorization or on short-term permits, or it will nullify those rights altogether.

Next, the court will calendar a session to hear arguments between the administration and claimants, which include parents who are immigrants and their newborns.

The 14th Amendment

For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment has established the rule that every person born in the nation is a citizen, with certain exclusions for children born to foreign diplomats and members of invading forces.

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

The contested directive sought to withhold citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US without legal status or are in the country on short-term status.

The United States belongs to a group of about three dozen nations – largely in the North and South America – that award instant citizenship to all those born in their territory.