How Wong Kim Ark’s legacy reignited the fight for birthright citizenship

Sandra Wong's great-grandfather, Wong Kim Ark, played a pivotal role in establishing birthright citizenship in the U.S. through a landmark Supreme Court case in the late 19th century, a decision that has reverberated through American legal history. His legacy recently resurfaced as Wong, unaware of her lineage, found herself at the center of renewed debates over immigration and citizenship rights. This revival underscores the enduring relevance of Wong Kim Ark’s case in contemporary discussions about who is entitled to American citizenship by birth, highlighting the ongoing struggle to define national identity and the rights of immigrants.