United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Lee Kum Hoy v. Murff, 355 U.S. 169 (1957)

Lee Kum Hoy v. Murff

No. 32

Argued November 21, 1957

Decided December 9, 1957

355 U.S. 169

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT

Syllabus

Three Chinese children sought entry into the United States, claiming to be children of an American citizen, but they were excluded on the ground that blood grouping tests showed that the American citizen was not their parent. It appeared that the blood grouping tests were in some respects inaccurate, and the reports thereof partly erroneous and conflicting.

Held: the judgments heretofore entered are vacated, and the case is remanded to the District Court with directions that the hearings before the Special Inquiry Officer or a Board of Special Inquiry be reopened, so that new, accurate blood grouping tests may be made under appropriate circumstances, and that relevant evidence may be received as offered on the issues involved.

237 F.2d 307, judgments vacated and case remanded.

PER CURIAM.

In view of the representation in the Solicitor General's argument at the Bar that the blood grouping test requirement here involved is presently and has been for some time applied without discrimination "in every case, irrespective of race, whenever deemed necessary," and in view of our remand of the case, we need not now pass upon the claim of unconstitutional discrimination.

Page 355 U. S. 170

It appearing that the blood grouping tests made herein were in some respects inaccurate and the reports thereof partly erroneous and conflicting, the judgments heretofore entered are vacated, and the case is remanded to the District Court with directions that the hearings before the Special Inquiry Officer or a Board of Special Inquiry be reopened, so that new, accurate blood grouping tests may be made under appropriate circumstances, and that relevant evidence may be received as offered on the issues involved. The excludability of petitioners remains to be determined upon those proceedings.

Judgments vacated and case remanded with directions.