Wong Kim Ark Legal Narration
Appearances
Throughline
Birthright Citizenship
A petition for a writ of habeas corpus was filed on behalf of Wong Kim Ark. alleging that said Wong Kim Ark is unlawfully confined and restrained of his liberty on board of the steamship Coptic and prevented from landing into the United States.
Throughline
Birthright Citizenship
The question to be determined is whether a person born within the United States, whose father and mother were both persons of Chinese descent and subjects of the Emperor of China, but at the time of the birth were both domiciled residents of the United States, is a citizen.
Throughline
Birthright Citizenship
From the law as announced and the facts as stipulated, I am of the opinion that Wong Kim Ark is a citizen of the United States within the meaning of the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment. He has not forfeited his right to return to this country. His detention, therefore, is illegal. He should be discharged, and it is so ordered.
Throughline
Birthright Citizenship
In August of 1895, a ship called the SS Coptic approached the coast of Northern California.