🔗 Share this article America's top judicial body will hear legal challenge questioning citizenship by birth. The top court has will hear a landmark case that questions a century-old constitutional right: automatic citizenship for individuals born on American soil. On the inaugural day in office this winter, President Donald Trump signed an order aiming to terminate this practice, but the move was struck down by the judiciary after legal challenges were brought forward. The Supreme Court's ultimate judgment will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will nullify the provision altogether. Next, the judges will set a time to hear the case between the government and claimants, which include foreign-born parents and their young children. A Constitutional Cornerstone For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has codified the principle that every person born in the nation is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to 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 challenged presidential order sought to withhold citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on non-permanent visas. The United States belongs to a group of about 30 countries – largely in the Western Hemisphere – that provide instant citizenship to any person born in their territory.
The top court has will hear a landmark case that questions a century-old constitutional right: automatic citizenship for individuals born on American soil. On the inaugural day in office this winter, President Donald Trump signed an order aiming to terminate this practice, but the move was struck down by the judiciary after legal challenges were brought forward. The Supreme Court's ultimate judgment will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the children of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will nullify the provision altogether. Next, the judges will set a time to hear the case between the government and claimants, which include foreign-born parents and their young children. A Constitutional Cornerstone For nearly 160 years, the Constitutional amendment has codified the principle that every person born in the nation is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to 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 challenged presidential order sought to withhold citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on non-permanent visas. The United States belongs to a group of about 30 countries – largely in the Western Hemisphere – that provide instant citizenship to any person born in their territory.