In 1898, Wong Kim Ark's Supreme Court victory affirmed citizenship for all born on U.S. soil, challenging the racial barriers imposed by the Chinese Exclusion Act. His legacy faces new threats as recent political actions aim to revoke this right, particularly targeting children of non-citizen parents. Legal experts reflect on the continued relevance of Wong's case, highlighting how it demonstrates the ongoing struggle over identity and belonging for marginalized communities, especially against a backdrop of rising xenophobia in immigration policies.
"The Wong Kim Ark case affirmed that birthright citizenship is universal, that it applies to even the most disfavored immigrant groups," said Amanda Frost, a professor of immigration and citizenship law.
Wong was born in 1870 in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown. He grew up in the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Collection
[
|
...
]