US Supreme Court has decided to review lawsuit challenging citizenship by birth.

The top court has decided to review a pivotal case that questions a longstanding constitutional right: automatic citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

On day one in office this winter, President Donald Trump signed an order aiming to end birthright citizenship, but the move was struck down by federal courts after legal challenges were initiated.

The Supreme Court's final decision will either support citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US without authorization or on temporary visas, or it will end them altogether.

Next, the justices will calendar a session to hear the case between the administration and claimants, which involve parents who are immigrants and their newborns.

The 14th Amendment

For nearly 160 years, the Fourteenth Amendment has established the principle that anyone born in the United States is a American citizen, with exceptions for children born to foreign diplomats and personnel of invading forces.

"Every individual 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 illegally or are in the country on non-permanent visas.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – mostly in the Americas – that provide immediate citizenship to all those born in their territory.