The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-17
CHURCHES RAP
ALIEN 'ARKS'
Federal Council Declares linus
tice Characterizes Deporta-
ton Of Foreigners in U. S.

NEW YORK. Jan. 1.-THE Com
mission on the Church and Social
Service OF the Federal Council OF
the Churches Of Christ In America
today issued q report on 1.-THE De-
portatton Cases OF 191S-1920." show
Ing that in many instances grave
injustice has been suffered by aliens
and others accused OF anarchy or
communism who were summarily ar
rested and, In many cases, held Sin
communicate" for long periods be-
fore trial.
| TAKES UP 200 CASES.
The report. which Is a booklet OF
100 pages. covers q detailed study
or zoo cases of aliens alleged to
be radicals, Of whom seventy-eight
were ordered deportel and ninety
seven were released by cancellation
OF the original warrant.
The outstanding cases are reported
in detail, and some Of them indicate
serious Irregularities in the conduct
of the agents of the Department of
Justice, including in one instance
the alleged use of an agent pro-
vocateur. 1t Is stated that many
so-called Communists" were for
eign-speaking Socialists belonging to
local organizations that had bodily
transferred their allegiance to the
Communist party without the knowl-
edge of these individuals or their
acceptance of the doctrines Of Com
munism.
DEPORT CHURCH MEMBERS.
One of the strangest cases re-
ported was that OF Joseph Polulcch.
a young Russian. who was arrested
without warrant at a raid on the
Peoples House. on East Fifteenth
strt<t, New York city. No sub
stantial evidence was offered by the
authorities to prove that this alien
was an Objectionable person, and at
his hearing before an immigrant
inspector at Ellis Island, testimony
showed that the only organization
to which Joseph Polulech belonged
in the United States was the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, on Second
avenue. New York city.
1t was learned that this young
man was ambitious, orderly and
well behaved and had been an active
worker in his church since 1913. His
presence in the Peoples House was
due to his desire to study, as he
was there attending a night school.
|
with friends, who would gladly have
vouched for him to the authorities.
Polulech was deported on December
81, 1919, after having been held
"incommunicado" for six weeks.
The commission on the church
and social service makes six sug
gestions for legislation to correct
the abuses revealed. The following
proposals are offered" 80 the COM
mission states. not Dramatically.
but as q tentative basis for a seri-
ously needed modification of the
present law. They have been formu-
lated after extensive consideration
of the problems involved by persons
Of wide experience and authorita-
tive opinions"
OFFERS SIX PROPOSALS.
with reference to what are
commonly called political offenses, no
act or utterAnce which at common
law would not amount to a solicita-
ton or attempt to commit q crime
should be held q sufficient ground for
deportation.
ct seems clear that the interests
Of equal justice would be promoted
by eliminating from the immigration
law the provision which makes mem.
bership in certain organizations q
sufficient cause for deportation. The
report makes it evident that the
status Of an individual alien in rcla-
ton to the Government cannot with
safety be determined on the basis of
membership in an organization.
3-An alien resident, after he has
been in the country for a period long
enough to allow of a full determine
ton of his right o-domicile in the
United States, should, when his de
portation is sought for any cause,
| have the protection OF such due
process of law and Of such constitu
tional safeguards as apply to citizen
accused of a crime.
"4tThere seems to be no unanimity
| OF opinion among authorities on i'm
migration as to whether deportation
cases should be handled entirely by
the Federal courts. A possible alter
native would be an immigration court
quasi judicial in character, in which
the alien would be guaranteed due
process Of law and the proper consti-
tutional safeguards.
"5-It cannot be doubted that the
method of raiding recently employed
in apprehending suspected aliens has
resulted in great injustice and hard
ship. These evils would be effectually
prevented by a provision that arrests
should be made only when a warrant
has previously been sworn out and is
served by the officer making the ar
rest, or when the offense is committed
in the presence of the officer.
"Six-The Government agent who
himself instigates unlawful acts for
the purpose OF apprehending the per-
petrators, protecting himself by his
official connection, must be eliminated
odvot p, fvo 80
eraI laws"