birthright citizenship

[ burth-rahyt sit-uh-zuhn-ship ]

/ ˈbɜrθˌraɪt ˈsɪt ə zənˌʃɪp /

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noun

the practice of automatically granting citizenship to a child born in a particular country, regardless of the citizenship status of the parent or parents: an end to birthright citizenship.

the state of having such citizenship: to grant birthright citizenship to the child of new immigrants.

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Origin of birthright citizenship

First recorded in 1845–50

Words nearby birthright citizenship

birth pangs, birth parent, birthplace, birthrate, birthright, birthright citizenship, birthroot, birthstone, birthstool, birth trauma, birthweight

How to use birthright citizenship in a sentence

They ended legal slavery, adopted birthright citizenship and prohibited using race as grounds to disqualify a man from voting through the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.
The future in Afghanistan may be key to the well-being of America’s soldiers|Dillon Carroll|May 6, 2021|Washington Post
Anthony Goldstein probably chose a trip to the Quidditch World Cup over his Birthright trip to Israel.
Harry Potter and the Torah of Terror|Candida Moss, Joel Baden|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In particular, it applies to immigrants who lost their U.S. citizenship after their involvement in World War II was discovered.
Nazis, Sunscreen, and Sea Gull Eggs: Congress in 2014 Was Hella Productive|Ben Jacobs|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And yet our country has redefined citizenship in some extraordinary ways since its inception.
The Progressive Case Against Birthright Citizenship|Keli Goff|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He promises the undocumented a chance to ‘get right with the law’ but says there will be ‘no free pass’ to citizenship either.
Will 5 Million Undocumented Immigrants Take Obama's Tough Love Immigration Deal?|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It does not grant citizenship or the right to stay here permanently, or offer the same benefits that citizens receive.
Will 5 Million Undocumented Immigrants Take Obama's Tough Love Immigration Deal?|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jacob robbed his brother of his birthright by trading on his hunger; Joseph robbed a whole people in the same way.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
When her marital relation ends she may elect to retain her marital or her original citizenship.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
In 1855 Congress passed an act conferring citizenship on alien women who should marry American citizens.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
At any time, on certain conditions, a member of a tribal ward can apply for full citizenship in a municipality.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
How long is it since Jews were granted full rights of citizenship in Christian England?
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford