Birthright Citizenship Reaffirmed; California AG: Immigrants Make America Strong

(CNA, reporter Chang Hsin-yu, San Francisco, July 1) Regarding the US Supreme Court's rejection of the executive order to restrict birthright citizenship, California Attorney General Rob Bonta strongly supported immigrants at a rally in San Francisco today, stating that this victory belongs to every immigrant, every child of an immigrant, and everyone who believes that immigrants make the nation stronger.

The Supreme Court's ruling continues to cause political division in the United States. The Trump administration's attempt to restrict birthright citizenship has been thwarted, and it has vowed to pursue legislative reform through Congress, signaling its intent to challenge the current system through other avenues.

Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution and was affirmed in the 1898 Wong Kim Ark case.

After taking office last year, Trump signed an executive order restricting this right, and California and the City of San Francisco immediately joined the lawsuit.

Bonta appeared in San Francisco today, accompanied by San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, to address the crowd at a rally, saying, "This is our shared victory... Immigrants make our country strong, immigrants make our country great."

The celebration rally was held at a playground near the birthplace of Wong Kim Ark in San Francisco's Chinatown, adding to its significance.

Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco, was denied entry upon his return to the US in 1895, with the government arguing he was not a US citizen. He subsequently pursued legal proceedings, asserting his citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment. The case was appealed all the way to the Supreme Court. Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Wong Kim Ark, affirming that individuals born in the United States are, in principle, entitled to birthright citizenship. This case laid the legal foundation for birthright citizenship, establishing that those born in the US and meeting the criteria are US citizens.

"We can all stand here today because of his (Wong Kim Ark's) courage," said Chiu, adding that San Francisco was the first city to sue the Trump administration because the story of birthright citizenship "is the history of San Francisco." Furthermore, he emphasized that this is not just an abstract legal principle but concerns real people, families, and babies.

Chiu highlighted that the United States is approaching its 250th anniversary, and the Supreme Court's ruling serves as a reminder of "who we are."

He also cautioned that the battle for immigrant rights is not over and called on Congress to take action on immigration issues. (Editor: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150702

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