The nation's highest court has decided to hear lawsuit disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

Supreme Court building

The nation's highest court has will hear a significant case that questions a century-old constitutional right: birthright citizenship for those born within US borders.

On the inaugural day in office this winter, the President signed an order aiming to halt this practice, but the move was halted by lower courts after lawsuits were filed.

The Supreme Court's ultimate decision will either uphold citizenship rights for the offspring of migrants who are in the US undocumented or on non-immigrant visas, or it will overturn those rights entirely.

Next, the court will calendar a session to hear oral arguments between the government and the suing parties, which comprise immigrant parents and their infants.

The Legal Foundation

For nearly 160 years, the Fourteenth Amendment has codified the principle that all individuals born in the nation is a American citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats 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 disputed presidential order sought to withhold 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 30 countries – largely in the Americas – that award automatic citizenship to any person born on their soil.

Carl Goodwin
Carl Goodwin

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