US Supreme Court has decided to consider legal challenge disputing automatic citizenship for those born in the US.

The nation's highest court has will hear a landmark case that questions a longstanding guarantee: guaranteed citizenship for those born on American soil.

On the inaugural day in office this January, President Donald Trump enacted a directive aiming to halt the policy, but the action was struck down by federal courts after legal challenges were initiated.

The Supreme Court's ultimate decision will ultimately uphold citizenship rights for the infants of foreign nationals who are in the US illegally or on short-term permits, or it will end the provision altogether.

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

The 14th Amendment

For more than 150 years, the 14th Amendment has established the rule that every person born in the nation is a citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and personnel of foreign military forces.

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

The contested presidential order sought to deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US without legal status or are in the country on temporary visas.

The United States is one of about 30 countries – largely in the North and South America – that grant automatic citizenship to any person born within their borders.