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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.

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.

Brown v. Board of Education, which reversed that. Even Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed the right to abortion. Wong Kim Ark's case focused on a specific part of the 14th Amendment, the Citizenship Clause.

Brown v. Board of Education, which reversed that. Even Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed the right to abortion. Wong Kim Ark's case focused on a specific part of the 14th Amendment, the Citizenship Clause.

Brown v. Board of Education, which reversed that. Even Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed the right to abortion. Wong Kim Ark's case focused on a specific part of the 14th Amendment, the Citizenship Clause.

That phrase, jurisdiction thereof, it's key because the court had to decide what makes a person a U.S. citizen. Do all people born on U.S. soil fall under its jurisdiction, its laws? Or is jurisdiction about where your loyalties lie? Are Chinese people living in the United States really subject to U.S. laws? Or should they be considered subjects of the emperor of China?

That phrase, jurisdiction thereof, it's key because the court had to decide what makes a person a U.S. citizen. Do all people born on U.S. soil fall under its jurisdiction, its laws? Or is jurisdiction about where your loyalties lie? Are Chinese people living in the United States really subject to U.S. laws? Or should they be considered subjects of the emperor of China?

That phrase, jurisdiction thereof, it's key because the court had to decide what makes a person a U.S. citizen. Do all people born on U.S. soil fall under its jurisdiction, its laws? Or is jurisdiction about where your loyalties lie? Are Chinese people living in the United States really subject to U.S. laws? Or should they be considered subjects of the emperor of China?

And then, what does this legal argument mean for all immigrants across the country? Could this same logic be applied to birthright citizens from Europe?

And then, what does this legal argument mean for all immigrants across the country? Could this same logic be applied to birthright citizens from Europe?

And then, what does this legal argument mean for all immigrants across the country? Could this same logic be applied to birthright citizens from Europe?

Julie Novkov is the dean of Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany, SUNY, and co-author of American by Birth, Wong Kim Ark and the Battle for Citizenship.

Julie Novkov is the dean of Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany, SUNY, and co-author of American by Birth, Wong Kim Ark and the Battle for Citizenship.

Julie Novkov is the dean of Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany, SUNY, and co-author of American by Birth, Wong Kim Ark and the Battle for Citizenship.

Wong Kim Ark was still stuck on a steamer off the coast while his case played out in court. It had been months, and he was right in the middle of a bigger battle between the U.S. government and Chinese Americans.

Wong Kim Ark was still stuck on a steamer off the coast while his case played out in court. It had been months, and he was right in the middle of a bigger battle between the U.S. government and Chinese Americans.

Wong Kim Ark was still stuck on a steamer off the coast while his case played out in court. It had been months, and he was right in the middle of a bigger battle between the U.S. government and Chinese Americans.

Finally, in the fall of 1895, the court came to a decision. He wins. He wins.

Finally, in the fall of 1895, the court came to a decision. He wins. He wins.

Finally, in the fall of 1895, the court came to a decision. He wins. He wins.