CAPAC Chair Meng Statement on the Anniversary of United States v. Wong Kim Ark Decision
Rep. Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, released a statement today marking the 127th anniversary of the United States v. Wong Kim Ark decision upholding birthright citizenship as a constitutionally protected right.
“Today marks 127 years since the landmark United States v. Wong Kim Ark decision that affirmed birthright citizenship to anyone born in our country, including those born to immigrant parents. This was established by the Supreme Court, even as the Chinese Exclusion Act and anti-Asian sentiment was in full force in the 1800s, because the Constitution made clear that ‘all persons’ born in the United States means ‘all persons.’
“Despite this century-old legal precedent, President Trump issued an unlawful executive order to revoke birthright citizenship and eliminate the core principle that has allowed millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to become U.S. citizens. It is a flagrant violation of the Fourteenth Amendment and the President’s oath to protect and defend the Constitution.
“This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to sow division and stoke xenophobic sentiment for political gain. We will not allow this administration to trample over the Constitution and redefine who is American. I vow to fight tooth and nail against this unlawful action and to protect the principles that have made our country into what it is today.”
BACKGROUND:
Wong Kim Ark was born in San Francisco in 1873 as the son of Chinese immigrants. Wong lived in the U.S. for most of his life working as a cook. After traveling abroad, he was barred from re-entering the United States on the grounds that he was not a citizen. Wong Kim Ark challenged the government’s assertion because he was born in the United States, and the Supreme Court ruled in his favor, affirming birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment.
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Founded in 1994, the bicameral Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is composed of 79 members of Congress who advocate on behalf of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The Caucus is led by Congresswoman Grace Meng, who was elected CAPAC Chair in 2024.
