Explore the 1898 Supreme Court case that shaped citizenship rights for those born to Chinese parents in the U.S. Learn how Wong Kim Ark became a pivotal figure in the fight against racial exclusions and the implications of the 14th Amendment. Discover the struggles faced by immigrant families like the Wongs amidst restrictive laws. As the discussion lightens, enjoy whimsical thoughts on how their home might be viewed by future archaeologists. This mix of serious history and light-hearted banter offers insightful perspectives on identity and belonging.
The 1898 Supreme Court case United States vs. Wong Kim Ark established that anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen, regardless of parentage.
The podcast discusses the historical discrimination faced by Chinese immigrants, particularly influenced by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
The ruling in Wong Kim Ark illustrates the ongoing legal debates around birthright citizenship and civil rights in contemporary America.
Deep dives
Exploration of Historical Themes in True Crime
The podcast dives into historical true crime, covering various themes each season, such as poisoners, art thieves, and body snatching. It reveals compelling stories behind notorious criminal figures and the societal contexts surrounding their actions. For instance, the podcast highlights a case involving a man who created a submarine for his getaway, showcasing the creativity and desperation of criminals in history. By blending storytelling with historical analysis, the podcast invites listeners to consider how those past events resonate with contemporary issues.
The Impact of the 14th Amendment
The discussions emphasize the significance of the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause, primarily through the United States v. Wong Kim Ark case. This case established that individuals born in the U.S. are citizens, regardless of their parents' citizenship, countering historical arguments favoring bloodline inheritance of citizenship. The podcast illustrates how this ruling aimed to provide equal rights to all individuals born in the United States, reflecting the ongoing debate about citizenship and civil rights in today’s political climate. Moreover, the historical implications of the amendment and its adoption underscore the need for ongoing vigilance to protect these rights.
Challenges Faced by Chinese Immigrants in America
The podcast thoroughly examines the discrimination that Chinese immigrants faced during the late 19th century, particularly regarding the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. It describes how Chinese laborers, initially welcomed during economic booms like the Gold Rush, became targets of racial hostility once job conditions changed. The specific case of Wong Kim Ark illustrates the broader struggle for citizenship among children of Chinese immigrants, highlighting how societal perceptions led to legal challenges and personal hardships. Examples of violence and legal barriers faced by Chinese communities further contextualize the historical injustices that resonate today.
Supreme Court's Interpretation of Citizenship
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark is explored in depth, illustrating the battle between legal interpretations of citizenship based on birthplace versus parental citizenship. The majority ruling clearly favored the idea of jus soli, or the right of soil, determining that those born in the U.S. are citizens, which fundamentally challenged the existing framework of international law at the time. Dissenting opinions argued that citizenship should derive from a person's ancestry, emphasizing the racial prejudices that influenced judicial interpretations. This pivotal decision continues to inform discussions around immigration and citizenship rights in contemporary legal discourse.
Continuing Legacy of Wong Kim Ark's Case
The podcast highlights the lasting legacy of Wong Kim Ark's case and its implications for future generations, particularly in the context of ongoing debates regarding birthright citizenship. It discusses how, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Chinese immigrants and their descendants continued to encounter discrimination and legal challenges well into the 20th century. The experiences of Wong Kim Ark's family exemplify the struggles faced by many who sought to assert their citizenship against a backdrop of systemic racism. This historical case reminds listeners of the fragile nature of civil rights and the importance of safeguarding them for all, as similar legal battles continue to arise in modern contexts.
The 1898 supreme court case called United States vs. Wong Kim Ark had affected enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act, because the court found that people born in the U.S. to Chinese parents were U.S. citizens.
Research:
Graber, Mark A. "United States v. Wong Kim Ark." American Governance, edited by Stephen Schechter, et al., vol. 5, Macmillan Reference USA, 2016, pp. 228-230. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3629100710/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=73795502. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
"United States v. Wong Kim Ark." Gale U.S. History Online Collection, Gale, 2024. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EXXRWP999307394/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=c225358c. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
"United States v. Wong Kim Ark." Great American Court Cases, edited by Mark Mikula and L. Mpho Mabunda, vol. 3: Equal Protection and Family Law, Gale, 1999. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ2303200443/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=01ef8726. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Zietlow, Rebecca E. "Fourteenth Amendment: Citizenship Clause." American Governance, edited by Stephen Schechter, et al., vol. 2, Macmillan Reference USA, 2016, pp. 248-251. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3629100269/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=5c43018e. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Rosenbloom, Rachel E. “Birthright Citizenship Has Been Challenged Before.” Time. 1/15/2025. https://time.com/7204970/birthright-citizenship-test-cases/
Bomboy, Scott. “Updated: The birthright citizenship question and the Constitution.” National Constitution Center. 1/21/2025. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/revisiting-the-birthright-citizenship-question-and-the-constitution
Cabrera-Lomelí, Carlos. “A 129-Year-Old San Francisco Lawsuit Could Stop Trump From Ending Birthright Citizenship.” KQED. 1/21/2025. https://www.kqed.org/news/12015449/a-129-year-old-san-francisco-lawsuit-could-stop-trump-from-ending-birthright-citizenship
Abdelfatah, Rund et al. “By Accident of Birth.” Throughline. NPR. 6/9/2022. https://www.npr.org/2022/06/06/1103291268/by-accident-of-birth
Dhillon, Hardeep. “How the Fight for Birthright Citizenship Shaped the History of Asian American Families.” Smithsonian. 3/27/2023. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-the-fight-for-birthright-citizenship-reshaped-asian-american-families-180981866/
Frost, Amanda. “Birthright Citizens and Paper Sons.” The American Scholar. 1/18/2021. https://theamericanscholar.org/birthright-citizens-and-paper-sons/
Moore, Robert. “He won a landmark citizenship case at the US Supreme Court. El Paso tried to deport him anyway.” El Paso Matters. 7/4/2022. https://elpasomatters.org/2022/07/04/wong-kim-ark-vs-united-states-history-immigration-supreme-court/
Frost, Amanda. “’By Accident of Birth’: The Battle over Birthright Citizenship After United States v. Wong Kim Ark.” Yale Journal of Law and the Humanities. https://openyls.law.yale.edu/handle/20.500.13051/7583
Berger, Bethany. “Birthright Citizenship on Trial: Elk v. Wilkins and United States v. Wong Kim Ark.” Articles and Papers. 378. 2016. https://opencommons.uconn.edu/law_papers/378
National Archives Catalog. “In the matter of Wong Kim Ark for a writ of habeas corpus.” https://catalog.archives.gov/id/296026