MOCA TALKS with Prof. Thomas Lee: Wong Kim Ark and Birthright Citizenship

Schedule

Wed Sep 17 2025 at 06:30 pm to 07:30 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Museum of Chinese in America | New York, NY

Advertisement
Explore the legacy of Wong Kim Ark and birthright citizenship in this timely talk with legal scholar Thomas Lee.
About this Event

$10 General Admission | Free for MOCA Members |

The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) cordially invites you to a special conversation featuring Thomas Lee, Leitner Family Professor of International Law and Co-Director of the Center on Asian Americans and the Law at Fordham Law School.

In this timely discussion, Professor Lee will explore the landmark Supreme Court case of Wong Kim Ark and the principle of birthright citizenship. The presentation will specifically address the aftermath of this pivotal ruling, highlighting the experiences of Wong Kim Ark’s descendants and other Chinese immigrants who sought entry into the United States by asserting U.S. citizenship during the era of the Exclusion Acts. Professor Lee will offer insights into how these significant legal precedents continue to influence American identity, civil rights, and immigration policy today.

MOCA thanks Barclay Damon LLP, Distinguished Sponsor for this presentation of MOCA TALKS.

About Professor Thomas LeeThomas Lee is the Leitner Family Professor of International Law and Co-Director of the Center on Asian Americans and the Law at Fordham Law School. He has written many articles about U.S. constitutional law, international law, and legal history. Before joining the academy, Lee clerked for Chief Judge Michael Boudin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and Justice David Souter of the U.S. Supreme Court and served as an active-duty U.S. naval cryptology officer. In addition to his teaching and scholarship, Lee is an active litigator with Hughes Hubbard & Reed and has served as Special Counsel to the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Defense.


Event Photos

Not a MOCA member yet? Join MyMOCA now to receive exclusive member benefits, special discounts and offerings and "First to Know!" announcements about MOCA's exhibitions and public programs.

Click to become a MyMOCA Member!

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre Street, New York, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 10.00

Museum of Chinese in America

Host or Publisher Museum of Chinese in America

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in New York

A Nautilus Salon: Being Human, with Stuart Firestein and Joseph LeDoux
Wed, 17 Sep at 06:00 pm A Nautilus Salon: Being Human, with Stuart Firestein and Joseph LeDoux

The Explorers Club

WORKSHOPS PARTIES
9\/17 @ 6pm: Shoshanna Weinberger: The Space Between Light
Wed, 17 Sep at 06:00 pm 9/17 @ 6pm: Shoshanna Weinberger: The Space Between Light

PES Futures

ART EXHIBITIONS
Sweat33: Workout with Feteness
Wed, 17 Sep at 06:00 pm Sweat33: Workout with Feteness

PLAZA 33

HEALTH-WELLNESS PILATES
The Harmonious Home by Rebecca Atwood with Elyse Moody
Wed, 17 Sep at 06:00 pm The Harmonious Home by Rebecca Atwood with Elyse Moody

Rizzoli Bookstore

ART LITERARY-ART
COOKING CLASS: New York's Famous Bagels & Spreads
Wed, 17 Sep at 06:45 pm COOKING CLASS: New York's Famous Bagels & Spreads

Butler Bakeshop & Espresso Bar

COOKING WORKSHOPS
CMAT
Wed, 17 Sep CMAT

Webster Hall

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
New York City FC II vs. New England Revolution II
Wed, 17 Sep at 07:00 pm New York City FC II vs. New England Revolution II

Icahn Stadium

CALENDAR
Cochise at Gramercy Theatre
Wed, 17 Sep at 07:00 pm Cochise at Gramercy Theatre

Gramercy Theatre

ART THEATRE
2025 KIDFITSTRONG FITNESS CHALLENGE NYC PRESENTED BY KIDFITSTRONG USA
Sun, 08 Sep at 03:00 pm 2025 KIDFITSTRONG FITNESS CHALLENGE NYC PRESENTED BY KIDFITSTRONG USA

NEW YORK CITY

KIDS WORKSHOPS
Private Viewing
Sat, 07 Dec at 07:00 pm Private Viewing

53 West 53

ART EXHIBITIONS
MoMA Write in Response Collective
Fri, 07 Feb at 10:00 am MoMA Write in Response Collective

The Museum of Modern Art

ART LITERARY-ART
Caribbeing at Governor's Island
Sat, 17 May at 01:00 pm Caribbeing at Governor's Island

Governors Island

ART EXHIBITIONS
Fridays in Harlem: Curated Harlem Arts Stroll with a Local Guide
Fri, 30 May at 12:00 pm Fridays in Harlem: Curated Harlem Arts Stroll with a Local Guide

Calabar Gallery at Refettorio Harlem, 37 West 119th Street, New York, NY

ART MUSIC
Makers Market at Grand Central -  Shop Top Local Artisans
Tue, 03 Jun at 08:00 am Makers Market at Grand Central - Shop Top Local Artisans

Grand Central Terminal

ART
Homage: Queer lineages on video
Fri, 27 Jun at 12:00 pm Homage: Queer lineages on video

The Wallach Art Gallery at Columbia University Lenfest Center of the Arts

EXHIBITIONS ENTERTAINMENT
Guided tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Thu, 03 Jul Guided tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

ART
Call for Submissions: Juried Exhibition \u201cLet Nature In\u201d at The Painting Center!
Tue, 22 Jul at 11:00 am Call for Submissions: Juried Exhibition “Let Nature In” at The Painting Center!

The Painting Center

ART EXHIBITIONS
Radiant Wings Art Festival
Sun, 10 Aug at 09:00 am Radiant Wings Art Festival

Central Park Zoo

FESTIVALS ART
Pages In Transit: From Contact Sheets to Book Covers
Tue, 12 Aug at 06:30 pm Pages In Transit: From Contact Sheets to Book Covers

Soho Photo Gallery

ART EXHIBITIONS

What's Happening Next in New York?

Discover New York Events