II. Regional Context History shapes citizenship policies.43 In the Americas, this history begins with independence: with exceptions in the Caribbean, all colonies gained independence almost simultaneously, between the end of eighteenth century and the first quarter of the nineteenth century.44 For these nascent countries, citizenship and immigration were important tools in building the state. Given the diversity of these emerging states— reflecting immigration from Europe (particularly the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain), the forced migration of people of African descent, and the presence of indigenous peoples—citizenship had particular importance as a tool to unite people of different backgrounds.45 The predominance of jus soli provisions and open naturalization policies in the Americas has given rise to a citizen body of diverse origins. However, even today ethnic tensions remain an underlying source of contention and a factor driving policy and practice in the field of citizenship.46 Neither the normative definition nor the practical implementation of the right to nationality has been immune from ethnic and racial discrimination. 47 This shared historical context offers one way to understand current citizenship practices. But to further understand citizenship laws and practices—and the gaps between them—it is important to assess the framework of international norms related to nationality that are applicable in the region and the concrete obligations they create. It will also important to examine the domestic legal frameworks of each focal country. The next two sections look deeper at this context. BORN IN THE AMERICAS 29