Jus soli

Jus soli (English: /dʒʌs ˈsoʊlaɪ/ juss SOH-ly[use this group 1] or /juːs ˈsoʊli/ yooss SOH-lee,[1] Latin: [juːs ˈsɔliː]), meaning 'right of soil', is the right of anyone born in the territory of a state to nationality or citizenship.

[2][3] Jus soli is the predominant rule in the Americas; explanations for this geographical phenomenon include: the establishment of lenient laws by past European colonial powers to entice immigrants from the Old World and displace native populations in the New World, along with the emergence of successful wars of independence movements that widened the definition and granting of citizenship, as a prerequisite to the abolishment of slavery since the 19th century.

[9] These mixed systems were implemented to fulfill treaty obligations after the atrocities of World War II increased awareness about the vulnerability of stateless persons.

[15][a][14] These mixed systems were implemented to fulfill treaty obligations after the atrocities of World War II increased awareness about the vulnerability of stateless persons.

[64] Modification of jus soli has been criticized as contributing to economic inequality, the perpetuation of unfree labour from a helot underclass[64] and statelessness.

A map of parties to the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Parties in dark green, countries which have signed but not ratified in light green, non-members in grey.