Supervisor Joel Engardio introduces a resolution to commemorate 125th anniversary of Wong Kim Ark victory on birthright citizenship

(SAN FRANCISCO) Supervisor Joel Engardio introduced a resolution at the Board of Supervisors to commemorate March 28 as the 125th anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on granting Wong Kim Ark's birthright citizenship.

"The landmark Supreme Court decision that made it clear that people born in the United States are always citizens," said Engardio at the Board of Supervisors' meeting on March 14.

"This case began with a man named Wong Kim Ark. He was born in San Francisco. His parents moved back to China because a mob of hundreds of men terrorized Chinese businesses. They feared living in San Francisco anymore,” said Engardio.

"Wong Kim Ark visited his parents in China. When returning to San Francisco, he was denied re-entry based on the Chinese Exclusion Act. Officials tried to use the discriminatory act to erase birthright citizenship for all Chinese Americans," Engardio added.

Wong Kim Ark sued the U.S. government with the help of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) in 1895. "His case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and he won," Engardio said, "Yet Wong Kim Ark still faced discrimination. His son was detained on Angel Island, where officials scrutinized the citizenship claims of Chinese people traveling to San Francisco."

Wong Kim Ark’s son was detained for a month on Angel Island – even after his dad had won the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case. "Our resolution will commemorate March 28th as the 125th anniversary of a Supreme Court decision that had its origins in San Francisco — and became a civil rights victory not only for Chinese Americans, but all American born children of immigrants," Engardio said.

Engardio attended the Wong Kim Ark Day celebration and commemoration in CCBA on March 25. "Look at Wong Kim Ark's photo from the 1890s. He is a young man with hopes and dreams. He also exudes courage and fortitude," Engardio said in the celebration holding the event program with Wong Kim Ark's photo on the cover. "He needed it given what he was up against in his birthplace of San Francisco. His parents feared living here after mobs terrorized Chinese businesses."

"Wong Kim Ark's parents decided to move back to China, but he stayed in San Francisco where he was born," said Engardio. Wong Kim Ark was detained and denied entry in 1895 when he went to China visiting his parents for eight months and returned to the city.

Engardio met with the descendants of Wong Kim Ark in the celebration at CCBA. Sandra Wong and her brother Norman Wong are the great grandchildren of Wong Kim Ark.

"They know freedom is fragile and must always be defended," Engardio said after speaking with members of the Wong family. "Let's be inspired by Wong Kim Ark's fortitude as we work to create our best San Francisco and nation today. Let's fulfill his hopes and dreams through the opportunities we create for future generations."