Jung Sew v. United States

231 F. 949, 146 C.C.A. 145, 1916 U.S. App. LEXIS 1753

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• Decided: March 14, 1916
• Docket: No. 143
• Status: Published

Opinion

COXE, Circuit Judge.

It appears without question that the appellant was born in China, tie was apprehended while in a row boat on the American side of the Niagara river under circumstances which indicate that he was attempting to land in the United States. There can be no doubt as to his purpose. He frankly admits this. In answer to a question put to him by Inspector Wallace he says:

“I must admit that I was being smuggled into the United States. I was caught in the boat, as you know, so it is no good denying it.”

[1] The proposition that he had not actually entered the United States when apprehended cannot be considered as a defense. Those in the boat were, in fact, in the United States as they had crossed the boundary line in the Niagara river between the two countries. There is no doubt as to their intention to land. The appellant was in the United States when apprehended. We are convinced that he was properly ordered deported to China, that being the country from whence he came.

[2] We are not troubled here with the question whether he should be returned to China or Canada. The question decided in United States v. Sisson, 206 Fed. 450, 124 C. C. A. 356, and in several later cases does not arise here, as the petitioner admits that he was born in China, and came directly from Hong Kong to Victoria, B. C.

The order of the District Court dismissing the writ of habeas corpus is affirmed.