Wong Kim Arc's Great-Grandson Continues Legacy of Birthright Citizenship

Wong Kim Arc and Birthright Citizenship

• 📜 The 1898 Supreme Court decision, stemming from Wong Kim Arc's case, established the precedent for birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents.
• 🏛️ Wong Kim Arc, born in San Francisco in 1873, sued the U.S. after being denied re-entry following a visit to China, successfully arguing that the 14th Amendment guaranteed his citizenship.

Modern Challenges to Birthright Citizenship

• ⚠️ In 2018, President Trump issued an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, arguing the 14th Amendment had been misinterpreted.
• 🗣️ This executive order is viewed by civil rights attorneys as having no legal basis but has already instilled fear within immigrant communities and signaled unwelcomeness.

Norman Wong's Connection to His Ancestor's Legacy

• 🔗 Norman Wong, Wong Kim Arc's great-grandson, only learned about his family history in his 80s and feels his ancestor's fight has validated his own life.
• 🤝 Norman Wong is now unexpectedly carrying on his family's legacy, feeling a connection to his great-grandfather's energy and the support of those who champion his cause.
• 🇺🇸 He believes in the importance of America getting things right for the sake of the country and future generations.

The Significance of the 14th Amendment

• ⚖️ Civil rights attorney Annie Lee notes that birthright citizenship has been taken for granted as settled law for over a century, clearly stated in the 14th Amendment.
• 🌍 The principle of birthright citizenship is fundamental to the idea of living as one people, as emphasized by Norman Wong.