Document: 348 U.S. 528 75 S.Ct. 513 99 L.Ed. 615 UNITED STATES of America, Petitioner,v.Richard Isaac MENASCHE. No. 104. Argued March 1, 1955. Decided April 4, Mr. Gray Thoron, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Peyton Ford, respondent. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case and Shomberg v. United States, 540, 509, present questions concerning proper interpretation general savings clause Immigration Nationality Act 1952, 66 Stat. 280, 8 U.S.C. § 1101 note, U.S.C.A. note. clause, 405 Act, provides as follows: 2 '(a) Nothing contained in this unless otherwise specifically provided therein, shall be construed to affect validity any declaration intention, petition naturalization, certificate citizenship, warrant arrest, order or deportation, exclusion, other document proceeding which valid at time take effect; prosecution, suit, action, proceedings, civil criminal, brought, status, condition, right process acquisition, act, thing, liability, obligation, matter, done existing, but all such prosecutions, suits, actions, statutes (sic), conditions, rights, acts, things, liabilities, obligations, matters parts repealed by are, hereby continued force effect. * 3 '(b) Except title III, naturalization heretofore filed may pending effect heard determined accordance with requirements law when was filed.' 4 The issue here presented is whether an alien, who his intention become American citizen before effective date 1952 complied laws then effect, has a 'status,' 'condition,' 'right acquisition' preserved 405(a), supra, despite fact that after new Act. Government contends petitions are governed exclusively 405(b), since respondent does not come within terms subsection—his having been Act—the inapplicable substantive provisions apply. 5 facts dispute. Respondent admitted permanent residence States on 7, 1948, following month he citizen. During next five years, absent from business several periods less than year each. Although aggregate these absences some forty-four months, it conceded had abandoned residence. Accordingly, prerequisites citizenship satisfied, entitled naturalized under 1940 upon completing years 54 1142, (1946 ed.) 707. But period run, became December 24, 1952. Section 316(a) 242, 1427(a), imposed requirement physical presence: eligible alien must physically least one-half constituting five-year When, 1953, Menasche lacked 14 months fulfilling requirement. Thus, if applies respondent's case, clear naturalized, while admittedly citizenship. 6 district judge holding governs because enjoyed acquisition 405(a) 115 F.Supp. 434. Court Appeals affirmed. 210 F.2d 809. We granted certiorari importance companion administration our nationality laws. 811, 33. 7 In interpreting relation we consider historical background procedure filing declarations intention. introduced into second Congress subject 414 (1795), remained integral part until dispensed prerequisite 254, 1445(f), 1445(f). For more 150 between enactments, considered appropriate require aliens declare their citizens they petitioned naturalization. Exceptions were made avoid hardship expedite favored group, enactment constituted 'first papers' toward usual procedure. See Joint Hearings Subcommittees Committees Judiciary, 82d Cong., 1st Sess., S. 716, H.R. 2379, 2816, pp. 79—80, 723—725; Rep. 1515, 81st 2d, 732—734. Savings clauses type involved—broad, inclusive provisions—date back immigration enacted early century. Naturalization 1906, 34 596, first real codification laws, did contain sought protect certain prior rights means specific provisions. 597, 599, 603. Nor there over-all provision turn 32 1213 (1903). germ there, however, stating 'nothing prosecution proceeding, criminal civil,' begun 1220. subsequent predecessors instant could clearly discerned. 1907 nothing 'shall proceedings existing taking Act.' 907. To same 1917. 39 897. followed, amendments limited clauses, tailored special changes legislation. 40 545, 547, 548; 559, amended, 55 252; 42 1022; 43 169; 46 854.1 These provisions, though differing terms, manifested save accrued 9 direct antecedent involved appeared 347 1940, 1168, 747, last legislation deal system Like 405, divided two subsections. these, subsection (a), expanded multiplicity legal subjects 1917 laws.2 Subsection (b), hand, entirely wrinkle providing thereafter filed.'3 litigation section, involving, first, scope (a) and, secondly, subsections, throws considerable light parallel problems case. 10 enumeration complete all-inclusive adding: acquisition,' 'liability,' 'obligation.' change undoubtedly prompted sets inconsistent decisions dealing vague terminology 347(a) preserving 'any criminal.' concerned question withdrawal service armed forces 'act' debar Compare Petition Otness, 49 220, re Urmeneta, 138, Samowich, 70 273. A significant conflict inchoate derivative which, conditions met, required only passage ripen full When changed process, arose those whose run took old new. Second Circuit held applied, extend 'a mere unattended affirmative action.' ex rel. Aberasturi Cain, 147 449, 452. Appeal District Columbia disagreed, construing broad language covering 'rights partly accrued' acquisition.' Bertoldi McGrath, 86 U.S.App.D.C. 2, 3, 178 977, 978, 979. latter have paramount minds broadened. Analysis 3455, Cong. 2d 361—1 361—2 (prepared Service committees considering legislation). conclude intended adopt principle 'the act should prospectively.' page 978. is, all, no reaffirmation underlying sweeping provision. report congressional earlier said 'contains customary status quo maintained related matters.' Report Departmental Committee, reproduced House Committee Naturalization, 76th 6127, superseded 9980, 411, 484. 11 would us limit extension situations arguing problem responsible acquisition. With cannot agree. section designed already broadly drawn, embodies, believe, acceptance statutory continue even fully matured. It noted, further, situation where failed action assert claim Even restrictive recognized might alter result reached. If willing preserve 'mere action,' think its also reaches instances, this, present. whole development accompanying each recent codifications field manifests well-established policy strip advantages gained consistent broadening provision, particularly terminology, indicates preservation apply both without contemplation Congress. 12 argues against hinging statutes, because, contends, rendered totally meaningless far concerned. They longer confer advantage alien-declarant.4 immaterial. First, resolution Bertoldi-Aberasturi willingness, situations, requiring alien. argued Menasche's residence, rather declaration, gave rise 405(a). And approach virtue eliminating inequitable treatment envisaged regards groups file decision rested ground, sufficient merely refer derived verbatim 'validity' 'valid effect.' 13 alone, covers 405(b) deals necessary implication excludes coverage As read statute, (b) implements emphasizes operation forerunner. clear, exception subsections state circumstances. slight negative overcome sweep direction 'otherwise provide(s).'5 (Emphasis supplied.) view strengthened (b). 484, stated 347(b) during measure begun.' courts, alleged generally see petitioner's saved 347(a), then, applicable, two-year limitation 347(b). Shaver, Cir., 140 180; La Bella, 52 980; Hirsch, 50 638; McInnis, 303. cf. Ferrara, Sup., N.Y.S.2d 244. Thus source rights. Indeed, cases solely 347(a). 273; Rothschild, 57 814. ignored supposedly obvious implications 347(b), cast doubt Government's automatically removed construction advanced predecessor actually marked departure. deletion limit, indicate Congress, making change, entire structure exclusive petitions. supra. few accord preserves accruing pre-petition stages process. Pringle, 212 878, affirming 122 90; Jocson, 117 528. believe so intended. 15 contention phase processing defeat destroy plain meaning section. 'The cardinal destroy.' National Labor Relations Board Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp., 301 30, 615, 621, 81 893. duty 'to give possible, every word statute,' Inhabitants Montclair Tp. Ramsdell, 107 147, 152, 391, 395, 27 431, enasculate requires. hold protected defeated stemming 405(b). All remains, therefore, look 316(a), imposes presence, determine provide(s)' situation. not. says that, 'except provided', degree presence required, viewed reference, inter alia, strengthening conclusion applies. correct concluding law, accordingly 16 Affirmed. 17 HARLAN consideration 1150, 726; 64 1015, ed., Supp. V) 725(b) (now §§ 1442(a—c, e), 1441(a)(1)). 'Sec. 347. either chapter III V docuent matters, Any may, wishes, Service. apparent object optional where, example, legally resident can obtain work. 2379 p. 80; S.Rep. 738. although do pass point opinion, serves function carries different Government. 'law 'affect' enumerated subjects, existed immediately provid(e)' applicable interests. considered, passing us, consonance scheme, advance another illustration given pressed objection redundant petitioner

Category: 1