Document: 366 U.S. 308 81 S.Ct. 1336 6 L.Ed.2d 313 Mauro John MONTANA, Petitioner,v.Robert F. KENNEDY. No. 198. Argued March 22, 1961. Decided May Miss Anna R. Lavin, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. Mr. Charles Gordon, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice HARLAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Having been ordered deported as an alien on grounds which are not contested, petitioner, claiming to be a citizen, brought present declaratory judgment action under 8 U.S.C. § 1503, U.S.C.A. 1503 determine his citizenship status. 2 Petitioner, whose mother is native-born United States citizen and father Italy (their marriage having in States), was born 1906 while parents were temporarily residing there, entered with later same year. He has continuously resided since that time never naturalized. His claim based primarily upon two statutes: (1) Section 2172 Revised Statutes (1878 ed.);1 (2) 5 Act 1907.2 The Court Appeals found neither statute obtained one circumstances this 278 F.2d 68. We granted certiorari review conclusion, 364 861, 102, 84, view apparent harshness result entailed. For reasons given hereafter, we agree Appeals. I. 3 In 1874 Congress re-enacted statutes seem defy complete reconciliation. R.S. 2172, re-enactment 4 April 14, 1802 (2 Stat. 155), provided 'children persons who now are, or have citizens States, shall, though out limits jurisdiction considered thereof * *.' (Emphasis added.) 1993, substantially February 10, 1855 (10 604), 'All children heretofore hereafter fathers may at their birth thereof, declared States; but rights shall descend States.' 7 Since spoke broadly chid ren 'persons'—perhaps mothers well fathers—while 1993 only 'fathers' (and even then embraced had residents), there conflict reach simultaneously provisions. circumstance 'persons' included, disjunctive, both mothers, contends faced deciding either simply repeats, modifications, part relating 'fathers,' (leaving its provisions 'mothers' intact), it repeals 'mothers.' suggests make former choice avoid admitted severity deporting fifty-five-year-old man country he infant. Government, other hand, asserts should read embracing American citizens. Whatever force these opposing contentions be, considerations unmistakably lead conclusion petitioner's must rejected. 9 1854 Horace Binney, country's leading lawyers recognized authority immigration laws, published article entitled 'The Alienigenae States'3 argued words 'who been' predecessor effect granting foreign-born before effective date (April 1802), no prospective application. Foreign-born became between 1854, aliens, Binney argued. responded situation by enacting 604) 1993.4 provision retroactive effect, clearly intended apply fathers.5 10 Blinney application acceptance decisions See v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 649, 673—674, 18 456, 466, 42 L.Ed. 890; Weedin Chin Bow, 274 657, 663—664, 47 772, 773—774, 71 1284; see also Mock Gum Ying Cahill, Cir., 940. commentators agreed. Kent, Commentaries, 53; Hackworth, Digest International Law, 222; cf. Matter Owen, 36 Op.Atty.Gen. 197, 200. Finally repeatedly stated acted premise. See, e.g., H.R.Rep. 1110, 67th Cong., 2d Sess., p. 3. Indeed when, 1934, finally 48 797, specifically made prospective, further clear reversal prior law. 131, 73d 1st 2, S.Rep. 865, 1. 11 reason 1802, find nothing purpose reverse structure inherited created reaffirmed until 1934. On basis light our precedents, hold 1906, sole source status parents. That cannot avail child father. II. 12 Petitioner's second ground founded 1907 (34 1229), relevant '(T)hat without deemed virtue resumption parent *.'6 regard necessarily depends finding birth, lost her when she married traveled abroad husband resumed return States. 13 It sufficient dispose contention mere alien, change domicile, did terminate woman mother's occurred 1906.7 This view, supported weight authority,8 indeed contested instead asks construe so obvious paradox giving preferred treatment over afforded citizenship.9 Paradoxical power 'construe' away unambiguous statutory requirement birth.10 III. 14 Petitioner makes contention. urged Government heard say petitioner outside because own misconduct. testified prevented from leaving refusal Consular Officer issue passport pregnant condition. However, uncontested require 1906. Moreover, presented evidence any Italian leave time. testimony what consular official's wellmeant advice—'I am sorry, Mrs., you (return States) condition'—falls far short misconduct such might prevent relying foreign birth. situation, need stop inquire whether, some lower courts held, estopped deny conduct officials.11 15 Affirmed. 16 DOUGLAS dissents. page 310, 1338, infra. pages 312—313, 1339 1340, Law Register 193. accepted (later 2172) after following statement Congressman Cutting: '* (U.S. citizen) happened world 14th April, abroad, citizens, 15th aliens country.' Cong.Globe, 33d Sess. 170 (1854). Cutting explained: 'In reign Victoria, year 1844, English Parliament foreigners, privileges subjects, allegiance. I not, bill, gone extent, House will observed reading it.' 170. context section word 'parent' refers mothers. 24, 1934 (48 797), alternatively relies, all respects here material above provision. By 1228), woman. Comitis Parkerson, C.C.E.D.La., 56 556, 559—560, 22 L.R.A. 148, writ error dismissed sub nom. Comitiz 163 681, 1200, 41 307; Ruckgaber Moore, C.C.E.D.N.Y., 104 947, 948—949, affirmed 114 1020; Wallenburg Missouri Pacific Co., C.C.D.Neb., 159 217, 219; re Fitzroy, D.C.D.Mass., 541, 542; Lynch, D.C.S.D.Cal., 31 762; Petition Zogbaum, D.C.D.S.D., 32 911, 912—913; Wright, D.C.E.D.Pa., 19 F.Supp. 224, 225; Watkins Morgenthau, 529, 530—531. Such construction espoused Attorney General William D. Mitchell 1933, 37 90, indicated District cases. Black, 64 518; Donsky, 77 832. But D'Alessio Lehman, 183 345, takes contrary view. if suffered loss reacquired, case would still come within definition 'resumption citizenship.' gave explicit content 1907, providing: 'At termination marital relatio resume 34 1228. terminated relation Podea Acheson, 179 306; Lee You Fee Dulles, 236 885, 887.

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