The 1898 U.S. Supreme Court case of Wong Kim Ark, a cook born in San Francisco’s Chinatown, was a landmark decision that affirmed the right to citizenship for those born on U.S. soil. Nearly 130 years later, Wong’s descendants celebrated Tuesday’s Supreme Court decision that upheld his win for birthright citizenship.
“He stood up for the rights of all of us Americans — it just so happens that I am related to him,” said Wong’s great grandson, Norman Wong, in a statement. “Today’s ruling shows that his victory remains as important now as it was in 1898.”
“I’m relieved, as I’m sure many others are, because this decision was really important,” said Wong’s great granddaughter, Sandra Wong, in an interview.
Norman and Sandra were born and raised in San Francisco — the same city where their great grandfather created a life for himself as a cook. However, Wong Kim Ark was denied entry back into San Francisco after returning from a trip to China despite being born on U.S. soil.
“My great grandfather, Wong Kim Ark, never set out to become a symbol. He was one man, only a cook, and yet he stood up for what was right, and I believe that it has made a difference.”
Norman Wong
Wong Kim Ark fought in the courts and his case went all the way to the Supreme Court, where he ultimately won. The case set a landmark precedent declaring birthright citizenship.
“My great grandfather, Wong Kim Ark, never set out to become a symbol,” Norman Wong said. “He was one man, only a cook, and yet he stood up for what was right, and I believe that it has made a difference.”
But when President Donald Trump challenged birthright citizenship at the beginning of his second term by issuing an executive order, Sandra and Norman Wong realized that their great grandfather’s fight was not over.
“I never really thought this could happen again, that it would be going before the Supreme Court,” Sandra Wong said.
Ruling ‘is our legacy’
When oral arguments were heard in the Supreme Court back in April, Norman traveled to Washington, D.C., to rally and share details about his great grandfather’s legacy.
“His fight was not just his own, it was for me and for generations to come,” Norman Wong said in a speech at the rally. “This is Wong Kim Ark’s legacy. This is my legacy. It is our legacy, and now it is our responsibility to protect it for our children and for generations yet to come.”
The anticipation leading up to the decision started to sink in for Sandra on Friday when a mural of Wong Kim Ark was unveiled in Chinatown.
“It’s been a bit of a nerve-wracking time over the last couple days,” she said.
In a 6-3 decision announced Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s challenge and upheld birthright citizenship in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, reaffirming its original decision in Wong Kim Ark’s 1898 case.
Other local and state leaders weighed in on the decision, with some highlighting Wong Kim Ark’s legacy.
“Birthright citizenship is as clear cut as legal principles come, and its story is deeply rooted in San Francisco history,” said San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu in a statement. “As a birthright citizen, I know my place in this country is possible because of the courage of Wong Kim Ark and immigrants like my parents.”
“Today’s ruling preserved a promise that has defined America for generations and been a cornerstone of democracy,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom in a statement. “The Constitution prevailed. We have all prevailed.”
