jus soli

noun

jus so·​li ˈyüs-ˈsō-ˌlē 

: a rule that the citizenship of a child is determined by the place of its birth

Examples of jus soli in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is the policy most often followed, though some countries adhere to the alternative concept of jus soli, or right of soil, which confers citizenship on a child according to the location in which they are born. —Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2024

As Yukako Otori, a historian at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, says: There was a considerable gap between the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the jus soli principle and its implementation on the U.S. border. —Hardeep Dhillon, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2023

The right has rejected the idea of jus soli (birth citizenship) or giving citizenship to the children of immigrants born in Italy. —Alexander Stille, The New Republic, 4 Oct. 2022

The American legal principle of jus soli means that babies born on US soil automatically gain citizenship. —Paul Vercammen, CNN, 16 Dec. 2019

Sociologist John Skrentny theorized that jus soli is strongest in the Western Hemisphere because of the region’s colonial history. —Amanda Erickson, The Seattle Times, 30 Oct. 2018

At least 30 countries subscribe to the principle of jus soli, wherein a person’s citizenship is based on the territory of his or her birth. —Amanda Erickson, The Seattle Times, 30 Oct. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Latin, right of the soil

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

jus soli

noun

jus so·​li -ˈsō-ˌlī, -lē 

: a rule of law that a child's citizenship is determined by his or her place of birth

Etymology

Latin, right of the soil