
By Accident of Birth
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The Wong Kim Ark Case: Birthright and Exclusion
This chapter examines the landmark case of Wong Kim Ark, who faced detention aboard a steamship in 1895 while asserting his U.S. citizenship. It discusses the mobilization of the Chinese Six Companies to provide legal support against the backdrop of the Chinese Exclusion Act, highlighting the tension between immigration laws and civil rights. The narrative illustrates the historical significance of the 14th Amendment and the wider implications of the case on the status of Chinese immigrants in America.
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