Chae Chan Ping v. US: Supreme Court Establishes Plenary Power Doctrine

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Congress holds absolute "plenary power" over immigration, upholding the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and its 1888 Scott Act extension that barred Chae Chan Ping — a legal resident of 12 years — from re-entering the United States after a trip to China. The Court held that immigration decisions are political questions assigned to the legislative and executive branches, largely immune from judicial review. The plenary power doctrine established in this case remains foundational precedent cited in immigration cases today, including arguments over deportation procedures and due process rights.