Document: 385 U.S. 214 87 S.Ct. 473 17 L.Ed.2d 318 IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE, Petitioner,v.Giuseppe ERRICO. Muriel May SCOTT, nee Plummer, Petitioner, v. SERVICE. Nos. 54 and 91. Argued Oct. 20, 1966. Decided Dec. 12, Sol. Gen., Thurgood Marshall, for Immigration Naturalization service. Frank M. Ierulli, Portland, Or., Giuseppe Errico. Julius C. Biervliet, Mount Vernon, N.Y., Scott. Mr. Cheif Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 We granted certiorari in these cases to resolve a conflict between Second Ninth Circuits on their interpretations § 241(f) Nationality Act.1 The issue is identical both and, therefore, lends itself single opinion. Section reads as follows: 2 'The provisions this section relating deportation aliens within United States ground that they were excludable at time entry who have sought procure, or procured visas other documentation, into by fraud misrepresentation shall not apply an alien otherwise admissible spouse, parent, child citizens lawfully admitted permanent residence.' 3 whether statute saves from misrepresents his status purpose evading quota restrictions, if he has necessary familial relationship citizen lawful resident. 4 Respondent Errico No. 54, native Italy, falsely represented immigration authorities was skilled mechanic with specialized experience repairing foreign automobiles. On basis first preference under statutory scheme then effect, entered 1959 wife. A born couple 1960 acquired citizenship birth. In 1963 proceedings commenced against 'of proper specified immigrant visa.'2 Throughout insisted saved 241(f). special inquiry officer Service ruled relief available because had complied requirements hence, 'otherwise entry.' Board Appeals affirmed order but Court Circuit reversed, holding construction adopted would strip it practically all meaning, since material presumably be given conceal some factor bear admissibility. 349 F.2d 541. certiorari. 383 941, 86 1196, 16 205. 5 Petitioner Scott 91, Jamaica, contracted marriage proxy solely obtaining nonquota country. She never lived her husband intended do so. After entering 1958, she gave birth illegitimate child, became American When discovered, begun, found deportable visa.3 affirmed, Board. 350 279. court agreed sham circumvent laws confer spouse citizen. It also ruling Mrs. entitled entry, country's oversubscribed. 1211, 206. 6 At outset should noted even Government agrees cannot applied strict literalness. Literally, applies only when charged violation 212(a)(19) statute, which excludes '(a)ny * visa documentation fraud, willfully misrepresenting fact.'4 Under interpretation, could deported having defective documentary irregularities been committed fraud. concedes such interpretation inconsistent manifest section, administrative consistently held waives any charge results directly regardless brought, provided entry.'5 Government's argument must show lied, restrictions. our adoption government thesis negate intention Congress fair humanitarian standards granting consequences are close relatives citizens, no effect construed argues, requires considerable stretch imagination conceive making did make him inadmissible. 7 sharp divergence among circuit judges indicates meaning words admissible' obvious. An attention language 241(f), its predecessor, 1957 Act,6 legislative history provisions. 8 begins enactment Displaced Persons Act 1948, 62 Stat. 1009. This admission thousands war refugess, many countries fallen behind Iron Curtain. Some refugees misrepresented nationality homeland while Europe avoid being repatriated Communist so doing, however, fell afoul 10 Act, persons willful misrepresentations gaining 'shall thereafter States.' plight refugees, excluded generally felt justifiable, inspired recurring proposals reform. revised codified 1952, House Committee recommended adding provision save repatriation persecution.7 Conference deleted provision, announced sympathy following terms: 9 'It conferees sections bill provide exclusion obtained travel documents fact, serve exclude deport certain bona fide fear forcibly former homelands place applying desire evade law investigation residence. wish emphasize adjudication cases, every effort made prevent evasion protect interest H.R.Rep.No.2096, 82d Cong., 2d Sess., p. 128 (1952), U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 1754. Attorney General construe recommended, believing explicit allow exemption justifiable misrepresentations. Refugees origin always concealed hindered background.8 11 1952 legislation widely thought unnecessarily harsh restrictive, passed alleviating respects stricter earlier legislation. perfectly clear terms, well relevant Senate Reports.9 most important children parents, orphans citizens. Other waive grounds deportation, including affliction tuberculosis conviction crime involving moral turpitude, behalf near intent plainly grant exceptions rigorous keeping family units together. that, circumstances, more unite families preserve ties than enforce strictly limitations restrictive designed keep undesirable harmful out country.10 12 context surprising facing gained through misrepresentation. that: 13 241 (1) misrepresentation, (2) visas, (A) residence; (B) December 22, 1945, November 1, 1954, dates inclusive, nationality, birth, identity, residence visa: Provided, That described clause establish satisfaction predicated upon alien's persecution race, religion, political home residence, restrictions home, elsewhere. effective date seeks, procured, States, admits commission perjury connection therewith, hereafter admissible, discretion consented reapplying 14 waived circumstances two classes First, 'the *' Second, during postwar period entry' 15 'establish elsewhere.' meaningless evaded further case possessing resident, conclusion reinforced fact investigation. Fraud investigation, forgiven clearly leave there disqualifying factor. Elementary principles lead meant specify specific types nonetheless bar those claim 18 present essentially re-enactment Act. leaves doubt substantive change intended.11 dealing 1945 repatriation, omitted accomplished purpose; rest retained intact.12 hardly argued codification. 19 require escape language, nothing suggest mind contrary result. reference part deals residents Report, says eligible 20 'Mexican nationals, who, border-control operations suffered regrettable laxity, able enter country, subsequently reside illegally.' H.R.Rep.No.1199, 85th 1st 11, Admin. News 1957, 2024. 21 Without illegal means Mexicans, far easier border Mexico common land States. There Report indicate restricted however. Neither does follow Mexicans subject therefore nationals obtain relief. 22 we adopt regarded fundamental families. lands benefited, principally temporarily permanently separated nearest national quotas, relaxed them. wholly consistent immigrants perhaps years ago, countries' quotas oversubscribed separate composed residents. 23 Even correct resolved favor alien. As held, where punitive construed: 24 'We doubts drastic measure times equivalent banishment exile, Delgadillo Carmishael, 332 388, 68 10, 92 L.Ed. 17. forfeiture misconduct Such penalty To less generously might find support logic. But stakes individual, will assume trench freedome beyond required narrowest several possible meanings used.' Fong Haw Tan Phelan, 333 6, 374, 376, 433. 25 See Barber Gonzales, 347 637, 642—643, 74 822, 825—826, 98 now particular accomplish conclude give light preventing breaking up least circuits aliens, decision reversed. 26 ordered. 27 Case affirmed. 28 91 29 STEWART, whom HARLAN WHITE join, dissenting. 30 facts one (No. 91) vividly illustrate Court's petitioner, resident paid ceremony petitioner 'husband' parted immediately seen each since. However, pretended served country false representation wife fraudulent managed become actual parent conceiving bearing here. 31 holds unsavory series events gives unqualified right remain ahead honest people waiting Jamaica elsewhere gain entry.1 I can odd inequitable provides 32 33 seems me, independently sufficient reasons, operate before us. place, application based ordered Secondly, applicable, cover involved neither them entry. I. 34 terms neutralizes 'provisions procure *.' Although 'provisions,' brought unrelated procurement visas. Both deported, properly quotas. 35 plain potentially aliens.2 hold tantamount applicable long lied about unlawful entry.3 think congressional purpose. II. 36 benefits respective import qualification, taken face value. That, too, uniform statute. Matter D'O—, N. 215 (1958); Slade, (1962). 37 except admissibility qualification undercut elaborate system heart laws. Yet predecessor makes limited system.4 38 Moreover, use same qualifying phrase, term art, includes typically follows definition insure imposed alien.5 39 Thus policy history, serves basic function removed requisite ties, insures integrity remainder scheme.6 40 justifies disregard resort spirit humanitarianism said moved enact No concerned giving established benefit genuine human concern like Mexico, origins Curtain countries. enacted wholesale general reward 41 respectfully dissent. 75 655 (1961), U.S.C. 1251(f). 211(a)(4) 66 181 later amended, 79 917 (1965), 1181(a) (1964 ed., Supp. I). Aliens existing 241(a)(1), 204 1251(a)(1). 211(a)(3), 183 1182(a)(19). S—-, N.Dec. 715 Y -, 143 (1959). Pub.L. 85—316, 71 639 (1957). H.R.Rep. 1365, 1653. B—- P—-, 638 (1947); 1199, liberal treatment problem united.' (1957), 2020. S.Rep. 1057, Sess. cited dissent understood. remarks Senator Eastland Congressman Celler quoted footnote refer providing orphans. Furthermore, mean created, relax deemed deserving They reassuring colleagues changes contemplated. 1086, 87th 1961, 2950. 107 Cong.Rec. 19653—19654 (1961) (remarks Eastland). (1961). 'Mrs. Scott' annual 100 list 21,759 hopeful applicants. corresponding figures Italy 1959, year Errico's 5,666 162,612. states 'concedes' 'administrative misrepresentation.' Ante, 217. concession practice fall short covering cases. For here '(result) antedated reason authorities' turned distinction. Y—-, (1959), example, broadened enough fraud-related procedural defects concedes, broadens excuse disqualifications Thus, party membership invoke told truth, virtue error, deported. 212(a)(28), Eastland, Chairman sponsored amendments stated, modify provisions.' 103 15487 (Aug. 21, 1957). 16300 28, 1957) Celler), '(The bill) changes—no whatsoever, controversial system.' 89—236, 911, substantial system. 1965, 1961 (when revised) abandon requirements. See, e.g., §§ 211(a) (b): War Brides 59 659. reasons embodied qualification. reasoning concerning applicability discussed Part (Emphasis supplied.) If determined parts similarly determined. almost above. second applicability—to 'aliens ther visas'—is omitted. lies not, reasoning, excused successor And distinguish leads

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