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Jus sanguinis is a legal principle that determines a child's citizenship based on their parents' citizenship, rather than where they were born. This Latin term translates to "right of blood".1

This contrasts with jus soli, or "right of soil," which grants citizenship based on birth within a country's territory, irrespective of parental citizenship. While jus soli is prevalent in the Western Hemisphere, jus sanguinis is also a significant basis for citizenship globally. Many countries employ a combination of both principles. The rule of jus soli is often seen as a way to prevent statelessness, ensuring that children are not born without a nationality and the associated rights.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. jus sanguinis
  2. jus soli

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