Foundations of Freedom

U.S. v. Wong Kim

The 14th Amendment is throughout affirmative and declaratory, intended to ally doubts and to settle controversies which had arisen, and NOT TO IMPOSE ANY NEW RESTRICTION UPON CITIZENSHIP (emphasis added).

U.S. v Wong Kim Ark 169 US 649[1898].687,688

The interpretation of the constitution of the United States is necessarily influenced by the fact that its provisions are framed in the language of the English common law, and are to read in the light of its history. U.S. v Wong Kim Ark 169 US 649[1898].687,688 as cited in Constitution of the United States Annotated, Annotations of cases decided by the Supreme Court of the United States through January 1, 1938, superintendant of documents, government printing office, Washington, D.C