Application of Wong Kim Ark for Writ of Habeas Corpus
10/1895
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This item is an application for the writ of habeas corpus on behalf of Wong Kim Ark. The application was submitted to W. W. Morrow, the judge of the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California.
Wong Kim Ark had traveled outside of America and on his return was detained by John H. Wise, Collector of Customs at the Port of San Francisco and the Captain of the Steamship "Peking." The applicant claimed that Wong Kim Ark was being illegally detained due to his American citizenship.
Wong Kim Ark was born in San Francisco in 1873. In 1894, Wong went to China for a visit. He returned to the United States in August 1895, but was denied entry by the San Francisco Collector of Customs on the claim that, although born at 751 Sacramento Street in San Francisco, Wong was not a citizen.
Wong appealed for judicial review of this decision by executive branch immigration officials. From the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, his case went through the Circuit Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court. The precedent-setting final ruling was that U.S.-born descendants of immigrants could not be denied citizenship, regardless of their ethnicity or the nationality of their ancestors.
Wong Kim Ark had traveled outside of America and on his return was detained by John H. Wise, Collector of Customs at the Port of San Francisco and the Captain of the Steamship "Peking." The applicant claimed that Wong Kim Ark was being illegally detained due to his American citizenship.
Wong Kim Ark was born in San Francisco in 1873. In 1894, Wong went to China for a visit. He returned to the United States in August 1895, but was denied entry by the San Francisco Collector of Customs on the claim that, although born at 751 Sacramento Street in San Francisco, Wong was not a citizen.
Wong appealed for judicial review of this decision by executive branch immigration officials. From the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, his case went through the Circuit Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court. The precedent-setting final ruling was that U.S.-born descendants of immigrants could not be denied citizenship, regardless of their ethnicity or the nationality of their ancestors.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 18556852
Full Citation: Application of Wong Kim Ark for Writ of Habeas Corpus; 10/1895; Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/wong-kim-ark-writ-habeas-corpus, April 27, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.