He doesn't mean it like that. He's referencing the tendency of other nations to grant citizenship to descendents of citizens. E.g., if my father were German, I'

He doesn't mean it like that. He's referencing the tendency of other nations to grant citizenship to descendents of citizens. E.g., if my father were German, I'd have a better chance of acquiring German citizenship than if my most recently immigrated ancestors came to the U.S. circa 1840 (which for me happens to be the case).