As the debate over birthright citizenship intensifies in the United States, policy experts are looking toward international models in Ireland and Germany to understand the complexities of restricting or granting citizenship at birth. While President Donald Trump has frequently characterized the U.S. policy of birthright citizenship as unique and disadvantageous, the global landscape reveals a nuanced reality where most nations have moved away from unconditional birthright status, often creating unforeseen administrative and social challenges.
The Global Shift Away from Jus Soli
For most of the 20th century, many countries followed the principle of jus soli, or
