US Supreme Court will review legal challenge challenging citizenship by birth.

Supreme Court building

The nation's highest court has will hear a significant case that puts to the test a historic constitutional right: automatic citizenship for those born on American soil.

On the inaugural day in office this January, the administration enacted a directive aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the move was halted by lower courts after constitutional questions were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's eventual decision will ultimately support citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US without authorization or on non-immigrant visas, or it will overturn them entirely.

Next, the judges will set a time to hear arguments between the government and the suing parties, which include immigrant parents and their newborns.

The 14th Amendment

For nearly 160 years, the Fourteenth Amendment has enshrined the rule that every person born in the nation is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to embassy personnel and personnel of invading forces.

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

The contested directive sought to deny citizenship to the offspring of people who are either in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States is among about three dozen nations – primarily in the North and South America – that provide immediate citizenship to anyone born in their territory.

Joshua Tucker
Joshua Tucker

Lena Hoffmann is a seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter, specializing in German current affairs and digital media trends.