Document: 333 U.S. 6 68 S.Ct. 374 92 L.Ed. 433 FONG HAW TANv.PHELAN, Acting District Director, Immigration and Naturalization Service. No. 370. Argued Jan. 8, 9, 1948. Decided Feb. 2, Mr. Lambert O'Donnell, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Beatrice Rosenberg, respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 An alien 'who is sentence more than once' to imprisonment a term one year or because conviction in this country crime involving moral turpitude committed after his entry shall, with exceptions not material here, be deported. Section 19(a)1 Act February 5, 1917, 39 Stat. 889, as amended 54 671, 8 U.S.C. § 155(a), U.S.C.A. 155(a). It appears that petitioner, native China, was convicted murder under each two counts an indictment, count charging Lai Quan, other on about same date Ong Kim.2 The jury fixed punishment at life imprisonment. He thereupon sentenced prison period natural by judgment, construed Circuit Court Appeals impose him convictions. Sometime thereafter warrant deportation China issued. Later he paroled, released from prison, taken into custody then filed petition writ habeas corpus challenging legality detention. denied authority Nishimoto v. Nagle, 9 Cir., 44 F.2d 304. affirmed. 162 663. case here certiorari which we granted contrariety views among circuits concerning meaning statutory words 'sentenced once.' 2 Ninth view offense, whether different times carrying concurrent consecutive sentences, satisfy statute. That position supra, followed below. Second holds who given sentences once, while not, even though crimes are distinct. Johnson United States, Cir. 28 810; States ex rel. Mignozzi Day, 51 1019. Fourth takes statute satisfied imposed run concurrently consecutively provided separate arise out transactions. Tassari Schmucker, 4 53 570. Fifth once when, plea guilty, called before bar receives several crimes, terms when happens again.' Wallis Tecchio, 5 65 250, 252. adaptation earlier circuit Congress provision aimed deport 'repeaters,' viz. 'persons commit sentenced, another Opolich Fluckey, D.C. 47 950. 3 latter reading give There trace purpose found its legislative history. Congressman Sabath proposed amendment said it criminal heart, man guilty second offense time convicted.' Cong.Rec. 5167. Burnett, charge bill floor House, gave emphasis 'that those showed heart tendency, they should deported.' Id., p. 5168. Committee Report Senate put matter sharper focus stated 'intended reach shows himself confirmed type.' S.Rep.No.352, 64th Cong., 1st Sess., 15. Perhaps plainest 'confirmed type' repeater. We expression authorize only where having been again commits nature it. resolve doubts favor construction drastic measure equivalent banih ment exile, Delgadillo Carmichael, 332 388, 10. forfeiture misconduct residence country. Such penalty. To construe less generously might find support logic. But since stakes considerable individual, will assume meant trench freedom beyond required narrowest possible meanings used. Reversed. 19(a) so far provides: '* * except hereinafter provided, any hereafter turpitude, within five yearsa fter such upon Attorney General, section respecting aliens shall apply has pardoned, nor made directed if court, judge thereof, sentencing imposing judgment passing thirty days thereafter, due notice first representatives State, make recommendation General deported pursuance Act; aforesaid until termination *' Whether murders resulted act does appear.

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