Opinion ID: 1507360
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Appellant's Return From Mexico as an Entry

Text: In order for an alien's return to this country to constitute an entry as contemplated by 8 U.S.C.A. § 155(a), supra, his departure must have been voluntary, with knowledge that his destination is foreign. [8] The intention to return to this country, whether after a mere few hours or an extended vacation abroad, is immaterial. If the length of time spent abroad is an element to be considered, it must be made so by Congress, not the courts. Compare Madokoro v. Del Guercio, 9 Cir., 1947, 160 F.2d 164; Cahan v. Carr, 9 Cir., 47 F.2d 604, 605; Lewis v. Frick, 233 U.S. 291, 297, 34 S.Ct. 488, 58 L.Ed. 967. This is not a sleeping car case, Di Pasquale v. Karnuth, 2 Cir., 158 F.2d 878, nor does it present a situation similar to that shown in Del Guercio, etc., v. Delgadillo, 9 Cir., 159 F.2d 130, reversed in Delgadillo v. Carmichael 332 U.S. 388, 68 S.Ct. 10, 92 L.Ed. 17. Appellant's visit to Mexico required and was the result of a willful and purposeful intent to depart from the United States. The evidence leaves no doubt that he regarded it as a pleasure trip. To hold that his return into the United States from this trip did not constitute a re-entry would devitalize the law clearly applicable to such an entry and leave it utterly meaningless. If this sort of a change in the law is to be effected, Congress and not the Federal Courts should sanction it.