Jure Sanguinis

Jure Sanguinis- Right of Blood/ Of Descent

 I’m currently going through the process of getting my dual citizenship, which I started in May of 2020 and literally still in the very early phases. Italy is one of those countries with a lot of bureaucracy setbacks and a detour every step of the way. 

I am proving my “right of blood” through my maternal great-grandfather’s side; It’s easier to do paternal since women did not have the same rights as men until 1948 so they couldn’t pass on their citizenship. The problem all began with the 1912 Italian Citizenship Law granting Italian citizenship jure sanguinis stating that women could hold but not pass citizenship to their children. 

However, in 1948 when Italy became a Republic, the newly written Constitution did allow for women to pass on citizenship but only to children born AFTER January 1, 1948. Even though the Italian Supreme Court ruled against the 1948 Rule, the Italian government has not yet chosen to modify or amend the current law. If you fall into this category, legal action to be filed at the Court House in Rome is your only way to obtain citizenship. Very similar to states that still have not ratified the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

 Honestly, it feels like you are playing one of those elementary school games, “If Johnny has $5, but gives $3 to Sam and gets $1 back from Lisa, how much does Johnny have left?” You have to make sure they weren’t naturalized before their first-born child, and the first grandchild had to be born after 1948, and it goes on and on... …

 Although I have 3 great-grandparents all born in Italy, going through the Zoni surname is the easiest. I also am working with an agency to collect the necessary documents and will be filing here in Italy, as opposed to the consulate in Los Angeles, which surprisingly requires less documentation and is quicker.

 What I found fascinating is in the moments of collecting this information I thought to myself, wow a man who left everything and came to America in search of a better life like so many other immigrants now has a relative 110 years later trying to achieve the opposite.

 He died when my mom was three so I don’t know much about him, besides my uncle’s middle name is Zoni, he had 3 daughters and was the Master Chef at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC. My Nana said, even in the middle of the Great Depression they always had the best food on the table. As far as his journey from Berceto (Emilia-Romagna region) to the United States of America, I have been archiving information for over a year on my Italian heritage. He received his Naturalization papers on April 23, 1934 and proudly turned in his WWII draft card in 1942. 

I’ve learned a lot in the month that I have been here. It has put many things into perspective and deep pondering of existential questions after a few too many glasses of vino. 

But I want to thank this man for giving me this gift. I’m sure when he stepped off that vessel in February 1911 filled with courage stronger than his fears, he would never imagine life today and how that decision truly impacted generations to come. Or for my g-grandmother whose rights were denied because of her gender would now have a powerhouse of a woman for a grandchild and is fighting to get them back as a tribute. It will take approximately 18-months (fingers crossed) and upwards of 6,000 USD but when I do receive my Italian passport it will be an immense honor.

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