United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind, 261 U.S. 204 (1923)

United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind

No. 202

Argued January 11, 12, 1923

Decided February 19, 1923

261 U.S. 204

Syllabus

1. A high caste Hindu, of full Indian blood, born at Amrit Sar, Punjab, India, is not a "white person" within the meaning of Rev.Stats., § 2169, relating to the naturalization of aliens. P. 261 U. S. 207.

2. "Free white persons," as used in that section, are words of common speech, to be interpreted in accordance with the understanding of the common man, synonymous with the word "Caucasian" only as that word is popularly understood. P. 261 U. S. 214. Ozawa v. United States, 260 U. S. 178.

3. The action of Congress in excluding from admission to this country all natives of Asia within designated limits, including all of India, is evidence of a like attitude toward naturalization of Asians within those limits. P. 261 U. S. 215.

Questions certified by the circuit court of appeals, arising upon an appeal to that court from a decree of the district court dismissing, on motion, a bill brought by the United ,states to cancel a certificate of naturalization.

Page 261 U. S. 206