US Supreme Court has decided to consider lawsuit challenging birthright citizenship.

The top court has will hear a significant case that puts to the test a century-old principle: automatic citizenship for those born on American soil.

On his first day in office this winter, President Donald Trump enacted a directive aiming to terminate birthright citizenship, but the move was halted by the judiciary after legal challenges were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's eventual judgment will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the offspring of foreign nationals who are in the US undocumented or on temporary visas, or it will nullify them altogether.

Next, the justices will schedule a date to hear arguments between the administration and plaintiffs, which involve foreign-born parents and their newborns.

The 14th Amendment

For nearly 160 years, the Fourteenth Amendment has codified the rule that all individuals born in the United States is a American citizen, with exceptions 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 executive order sought to refuse citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US illegally or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States is among about 30 countries – mostly in the North and South America – that provide instant citizenship to any person born in their territory.