Born in San Francisco in 1873, Wong Kim Ark was the son of Chinese immigrants. Anti-Chinese sentiment was increasing in America when Kim Ark was growing up. The government passed a law excluding more Chinese from coming to the United States; it also prevented his parents from ever becoming citizens. When they moved back to China, Kim Ark, a U.S. citizen, stayed behind. When Kim Ark went to visit his parents in China, he knew he’d have to prove he was a citizen when he returned to the United States, but officials wouldn’t believe him, or didn’t care. Kim Ark was imprisoned for more than a month. The legal fight continued after his release, going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Constitution made clear anyone born in the country is a citizen, but government lawyers argued “that Kim Ark couldn’t be a citizen because his Chinese ancestors had different customs and language from most people in America.” It took the Justices almost a year to decide in Kim Ark’s favor in 1898, a case that affirms that anyone born in the United States or its territories can call this nation home. This picture-book account includes more about anti-Chinese racism and Wong Kim Ark, the case, and U.S citizenship in the back matter. (Ages 7-10)

An ALA Notable Book for Children
Winner of the Woodson Award

He challenged the Supreme Court on his right to be called citizen--and won

When American-born Wong Kim Ark returns home to San Francisco after a visit to China, he's stopped and told he cannot enter: he isn't American. What happens next would forever change the national conversation on who is and isn't American. After being imprisoned on a ship for months, Wong Kim Ark takes his case to the Supreme Court and argues any person born in America is an American citizen.

I am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story is an important picture book that introduces young readers to the young man who challenged the Supreme Court for his right to be an American citizen and won, confirming birthright citizenship for all Americans.