Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/14pdf/13-1034_3dq4.pdf
Page Number: 20.0

Cite as:  575 U. S. ____ (2015) 

3 

THOMAS, J., dissenting 

The  structure  of  the  removal  statute  confirms  this  in-
terpretation.  Phrases like “relating to” and “in connection
with”  have  broad  but  indeterminate  meanings  that  must
be understood in the context of “the structure of the stat-
ute  and  its  other  provisions.”  Maracich  v.  Spears,  570 
U. S. ___, ___ (2013) (slip op., at 9) (“in connection with”); 
see  also  New  York  State  Conference  of  Blue  Cross  &  Blue 
Shield  Plans  v.  Travelers  Ins.  Co.,  514  U. S.  645,  655 
(1995) (“relate to”); see generally  California  Div. of Labor 
Standards Enforcement v. Dillingham Constr., N. A., Inc., 
519 U. S. 316, 324 (1997) (describing the Court’s efforts to 
interpret  the  “ ‘clearly  expansive’ ”  “relate  to”  language  in
the  pre-emption  provision  of  the  Employee  Retirement
  In  interpreting  such
Income  Security  Act  of  1974).
phrases,  we  must  be  careful  to  honor  Congress’  choice  to 
use  expansive 
  Maracich,  supra,  at  ___ 
(GINSBURG,  J.,  dissenting)  (slip  op.,  at  7)  (noting  that  a 
statute should be interpreted broadly in light of Congress’ 
decision  to  use  sweeping  language  like  “in  connection 
with”);  see  also,  e.g.,  Alaska  Dept.  of  Environmental  Con-
servation v. EPA, 540 U. S. 461, 484 (2004) (GINSBURG, J.)
(interpreting Environmental Protection Agency’s authority 
in  light  of  the  “notably  capacious  terms”  contained  in  its
authorizing statute).

language. 

Here,  the  “structure  of  the  statute  and  its  other  provi-
sions”  indicate  that  Congress  understood  this  phrase  to
sweep  quite  broadly.  Several  surrounding  subsections  of 
the removal statute reveal that when Congress wanted to 
define with greater specificity the conduct that subjects an 
alien  to  removal,  it  did  so  by  omitting  the  expansive 
phrase “relating to.”  For example, a neighboring provision
makes  removable  “[a]ny  alien  who  . . .  is  convicted  un- 
der  any  law  of  purchasing,  selling,  offering  for  sale,  ex-
changing,  using,  owning,  possessing,  or  carrying  . . .  any 
weapon, part, or accessory which is a firearm or destructive 
device (as defined in section 921(a) of title 18).”  8 U. S. C.