The Oscars, the Emmys, the Grammys and the Tonys are a time to celebrate the best and worst theatrical productions, movies and television shows of the year. A nomination has the power to launch careers to new heights, creating and cementing a director’s legacy in Hollywood. Yet, for Asian directors, this is an elusive dream to achieve even in 2025.

For over a century, United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) has served as a legal cornerstone affirming birthright citizenship in America. Yet, as President Trump seeks to dismantle these protections through xenophobic policies, the same exclusionary logic that once denied Asian Americans their place in the nation threatens immigrant communities today. This piece examines Wong’s historic fight, the ongoing battle over the Fourteenth Amendment, and the urgent need for resistance against modern efforts to redefine who belongs in America.