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Coming up, Wong Kim Ark fights back in court.

In August of 1895, Wong Kim Ark was sitting on a steamship, detained and watched over by guards. He was there because, according to the government, he was not a U.S. citizen, even though he had documentation showing he was born in San Francisco. It must have been a lonely, bitter feeling to be just a few miles from his hometown, rejected by his own government. But he wasn't alone.

In August of 1895, Wong Kim Ark was sitting on a steamship, detained and watched over by guards. He was there because, according to the government, he was not a U.S. citizen, even though he had documentation showing he was born in San Francisco. It must have been a lonely, bitter feeling to be just a few miles from his hometown, rejected by his own government. But he wasn't alone.

In August of 1895, Wong Kim Ark was sitting on a steamship, detained and watched over by guards. He was there because, according to the government, he was not a U.S. citizen, even though he had documentation showing he was born in San Francisco. It must have been a lonely, bitter feeling to be just a few miles from his hometown, rejected by his own government. But he wasn't alone.

Almost immediately, a group of people started working to get him out.

Almost immediately, a group of people started working to get him out.

Almost immediately, a group of people started working to get him out.

The Chinese Six Companies, also known as the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.

The Chinese Six Companies, also known as the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.

The Chinese Six Companies, also known as the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.

They frequently hired lawyers, white lawyers, to help Chinese laborers who were subject to deportation under the law.

They frequently hired lawyers, white lawyers, to help Chinese laborers who were subject to deportation under the law.

They frequently hired lawyers, white lawyers, to help Chinese laborers who were subject to deportation under the law.

So while Wong Kim Ark sat imprisoned on the steamship, his case headed to a California district court.

So while Wong Kim Ark sat imprisoned on the steamship, his case headed to a California district court.

So while Wong Kim Ark sat imprisoned on the steamship, his case headed to a California district court.

the district court was faced with a monumental decision, one that hinged on a single sentence in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.

the district court was faced with a monumental decision, one that hinged on a single sentence in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.

the district court was faced with a monumental decision, one that hinged on a single sentence in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.

The 14th Amendment was added to the Constitution after the Civil War to achieve, quote, equal protection of the laws. It was intended to make sure newly emancipated Black Americans had full, equal citizenship and rights. Some of the most impactful Supreme Court cases have hinged on this amendment. There's Plessy v. Ferguson, which upheld the constitutionality of segregation.