Document: 385 U.S. 630 87 S.Ct. 666 17 L.Ed.2d 656 Kalman J. BERENYI, Petitioner,v.DISTRICT DIRECTOR, IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE. No. 66. Argued Dec. 5 and 6, 1966. Decided Jan. 23, 1967. Leon B. Savetsky, New York City, for petitioner. Robert S. Rifkind, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 A provision Immigration Nationality Act requires that an alien who applies naturalization as a United States citizen must establish during five years preceding filing his petition he has been 'a person good moral character.'1 Another specifies no applicant may be found to character who, within period, 'has given false testimony purpose obtaining any benefits' under Act.2 The petitioner, entered this country from Hungary in 1956, filed District Court Massachusetts 1962. At final hearing Attorney General appeared by counsel opposition petition.3 Following Judge denied petition, finding petitioner had testified falsely facilitate naturalization, therefore could not, law, statutory period.4 Appeals affirmed,5 we granted certiorari.6 2 During preparation application file was asked following question: 'Have you ever, or other place, (a) member of, way connected with, associated with Communist Party either directly, indirectly through another organization, group, person?' oath, answered 'No.' On two subsequent occasions preliminary proceedings on again swore never Party. 3 before Judge, Government produced witnesses whose indicated Hungary. Dr. Pal Halasz stated known when they were both students at University Budapest Medical School seen attend meetings there one more occasions. While such sometimes open persons not members, sure member, attendance gave impression member. Gyorgy Kury related attended study group September 1948. These groups met discuss Marxist-Leninist ideology, required regardless membership. One student each responsible leading discussion. that, meeting question, introduced himself leader group's ideological education. further told become after Soviet troops occupied 1945. 4 discussion group. He heavy pressures functions admitted these led him some nonmember, but added active participant meetings. also emphasized religious upbringing factors personal life which, contended, made it unlikely would petitioner's wife four while arrival States, expressed strong regime Basing decision solely own evaluation adduced hearing,7 concluded 1945 remained indefinite number years, Party, instructed ideology. Accordingly, court proceedings, citizenship ground was, therefore, 'not meaning Act.'8 6 asks us reject 'clearly erroneous' factual conclusion about membership reached accepted Appeals. In order do so, forced disregard Court's repeated pronouncements 'cannot undertake review concurrent findings fact courts below absence very obvious exceptional showing error.' E.g., Graver Tank & Mfg. Co. v. Linde Air Products Co., 336 271, 275, 69 535, 538, 93 L.Ed. 672. For 'very exceptional' error concrete basis conclusion, lent evidentiary support. is inconsistent possibility have harbored which bared friends. merely joined nominal deference exerted several witnesses, including himself, recited detail. 7 policy underlying 'two-court' rule obvious. This possesses empirical expertise set against careful reasonable conclusions lower purely issues. When, here, resolution disputed issues turns largely assessment relative credibility testimonial demeanor observed only trial court, particular force. To sure, hesitated independent examination constitutional claims depend their resolution. See, e.g., Napue People State Illinois, 360 264, 271 272, 79 1173, 1178—1179, 1217; Fiske Kansas, 274 380, 385—386, 47 655, 656—657, 71 1108. Cf. Hoffa 293, 408, 374. But doctrine present case, makes claim are involved here. 8 Different considerations govern because case. When seeks strip already acquired,9 deport resident send our shores,10 carries burden proving its case 'clear, unequivocal, convincing evidence.'11 obtain privileges benefits citizenship, shoe foot. moving party, affirmatively asking endow all advantages citizenship. Because status, once granted, cannot lightly taken away, legitimate interest ensuring qualified reasons, universally show eligibility every respect. often doubts 'should resolved favor claimant.' Macintosh, 283 605, 626, 51 570, 576, 75 1302. 9 points out deportation cases held expelled unless participation amounted 'meaningful association.' Rowoldt Perfetto, 355 115, 78 180, 140; Gastelum-Quinones Kennedy, 374 469, 83 1819, 10 1013. contends same should apply context Government's proof failed membership.12 It because, did tell truth. whether 'meaningfully associated' Nor inquiry limited party posed much broader question ever 'been person.' rightly truth negative if actual nominal. Even assuming association' shown, certainly material relevant. entitled know facts bear applicant's so pursue leads make investigation raised. confused misled scope question—that believed time association'. 11 We say wrong follows declining upset finding. 12 Affirmed. 13 DOUGLAS, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE BRENNAN concur, dissenting. 14 confronted spectacle admittedly loyal concededly opposed communism being 'person character.' turn based upon subsidiary had, remote past, Hungarian lied 'evidence' crucial slim, ambiguous, equivocal; compared overwhelming evidence apparent clearly erroneous. 15 dependent witnesses. medical school classes since behind. total enrollment between 1,800 2,000. socially, talk 'several times' helped studies. 'believed' 1948 1956. how meetings.1 According Halasz, saw meetings, often. 'thought' than once. what transpired nor nonparty members all. Most nonmembers encouraged attend. If took risk retribution. identified nonmembers. display card, although doorkeeper 'Communist heart,' said something respect 'it wasn't Communists.' assumed 16 second government witness class year. most come up indoctrination session students, alike. session, heard state occupation remember exactly said. That contact Except occasion, Communist. abundance can briefly summarized. Petitioner unequivocally oath closed meeting. invited non-Communists present.2 invitation tantamount order, nonattendance result serious consequences. Attendance Berenyi shown. Plainly sufficient Party'—unless part cold war technique words turned into traps catch innocent. And Kury's vague memory belied facet revealed reading record. 18 uprising October November Army, finances complete condition serving army. His unit fought Russians, duty treating people wounded fighting. 19 married woman family's property confiscated Government; wife's family left escape regime. she hated 20 fled regime, making great risk. without equivocation communism, loyalty attachment willingness fight arms defense country. absolutely statement attributed Kury. After escape, resumed career country, hospitals senior instructor staff Tufts School. 21 Petitioner's Government, constantly wanted leave freedom. Lorand De Bickish, former national now naturalized citizen, behalf. Bickish avowed anti-Communist arrested twice imprisoned attempting Government. exiled small town brother broadcaster Radio Free Europe. exile, visit him. voiced secretly listened Europe Voice America, talked leaving escaping 22 Two desire free They frequently gratitude love freedom offered. stipulated yet testify attached principles Constitution. 23 Thus curious proposition speculations witness, hazy distant outweigh thereby prevent naturalization. me saying throw slim doubt deny fails disprove ephemeral doubt. answer proceeding bears successfully persuasion. applicant. 'doubt' resolved. Must tilt windmill thrown path Government? favor. sketchy raise doubt, dispelled carry sacrosanct; 'two finding' talisman preventing exercising duties charged. where 24 APPENDIX TO OPINION OF MR. DISSENTING. 25 chief Court, follows: 26 'Q. Did see card Party? 27 'A. I card. 28 admit 29 30 participate so-called kind? 31 Yes. 32 way? 33 Well, there. 34 put body chair sit down anything else? 35 can't recall. 36 Now isn't many noncommunists called meetings? 37 38 40 people, noncommunists? don't know. depends. 24, maybe, Communists. * 39 referred present? 120—150 people. 41 Do fact, sir, knew it, according your testimony? 42 You ask going on. not. 43 trying convert induce non-communists join? 44 Certainly. 45 book possession Berenyi? 46 No, records, any, listed member? 48 49 Now, direct 50 Can degree certainty at? 52 that. Possible maybe three times. 53 Possibly? 54 55 once? 56 57 kept records it? 58 59 anything? just sat there? 60 Oh, active, helping rest science. 61 once, times word, right? 62 Unless straight happen somebody certain things. 63 64 65 discussions concerning beliefs Communism Communism? 66 things came up, questions. didn't too much; something, 67 Berenyi, feelings towards 68 believe Communist, even heart. assert member—do 70 thought those base on? 72 right.' 73 appears 'closed meetings,' admitted. meeting' explained mean 'that vote subject:' 74 'The possible non-Communists—when 'noncommunists,' present, allowed speak vote, Witness. right, yes.' Section 316(a) 1952, Stat. 242, U.S.C. § 1427(a), provides: 'No person, except otherwise provided title, shall (1) immediately date resided continuously, lawfully permanent residence, least physically therein periods totaling half time, six months, (2) continuously admission (3) subsection still character, Constitution well disposed happiness States.' 101(f), 172, 1101(f): 'For Act—No regarded as, be, period established, is, was—* (6) *.' Such appearance authorized 336(d) Act, 258, 1447(d). 239 F.Supp. 725. 352 F.2d 71. Rule 52, Fed.Rules Civ.Proc., provides relevant part: 'Findings Effect. Findings aside erroneous, due regard opportunity judge witnesses.' 384 903, 86 1339, 357. examiner, transmitted recommendations pursuant 335 255, 1446. conducted accordance 336(b) 257, 1447(b), explicitly declined rely materials reaching conclusion. F.Supp., 727. weak alternative contention 1962, thus 313 240, 1424, '(a) hereafter States— '(2) affiliated (D) totalitarian foreign '(c) provisions section applicable ten taking enumerated section, notwithstanding included classes.' Schneiderman 320 118, 1333, 1796; Nowak 356 660, 955, 1048; Chaunt 364 350, 81 147, 120. Woodby Naturalization Service, 276, 483, 362. sought affiliations prove evidence,' U.S., 286, S.Ct., 488, 362, fell short showing. n. 8, supra. specifically refused accept ineligible barring See Service inspector oath. difference described Appendix opinion. From

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