jus soli

American  

[juhs soh-lahy, -lee] / ˈdʒʌs ˈsoʊ laɪ, -li /

noun

Law.

1. the principle that the country of citizenship of a child is determined by their country of birth.

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jus soli British  

/ ˈsəʊlaɪ /

noun

1. law the principle that a person's nationality at birth is determined by the territory within which he was born Compare jus sanguinis

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Etymology

Origin of jus soli

First recorded in 1900–05; from Latin: “right of soil (land)”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

jus soli

While the United States is among a smaller group of countries that recognize jus soli, it is not alone in doing so.

From Salon ● May 24, 2026

She has a firm idea about the distinction between two very different theories of citizenship: jus soli, based on soil, and jus sanguinis, based on descent.

From Slate ● Apr. 1, 2026

John Skrentny, a sociology professor at the University of California, San Diego, believes that, though birthright citizenship or jus soli is common throughout the Americas, "each nation-state had its own unique road to it".

From BBC ● Feb. 9, 2025

Foreigners whose nationalities do not meet the jus soli or jus sanguinis principles can become Filipino citizens through the process of naturalization; however, they will have to renounce their previous citizenship.

From Encyclopedia.com ● Dec. 3, 2018

Two basic rules determine citizenship at birth: jus soli and jus sanguinis.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2016