Opinion ID: 3022392
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: “Terrorist Activity”

Text: Malachy asserts that the definition of “terrorist activity” in 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(iii)(V)(b) is unconstitutionally overbroad. We note that Malachy’s argument also raises issues of vagueness, which is similar to the doctrine of overbreadth. Waterman v. Farmer, 183 F.3d 208, 212 n.4 (3d Cir. 1999). As such, we will examine both doctrines. A statute is unconstitutionally vague if “men of common intelligence must necessarily guess at its meaning and differ as to its application.” Id. (quoting Connally v. Gen. Constr. Co., 269 U.S. 385, 391 (1926)). A statute is unconstitutionally overbroad if it “does not aim specifically at the evils within the allowable area of control [by the government] but . . . sweeps within its ambit other [constitutionally protected] activities.” Id. at 212 n.5 (quoting Thornhill v. Alabama, 310 U.S. 88, 97 (1940)). Clause (iii) of 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B) states, in relevant part, that “terrorist activity” is: any activity which is unlawful . . . which involves . . . [using an] explosive, firearm, or other weapon or dangerous device (other than for mere personal monetary gain), with intent to endanger, directly or indirectly, the safety of one or more individuals or to cause substantial damage to property. 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(iii)(V)(b). While this definition is certainly broad, we conclude that it is neither vague nor overbroad in that it does not infringe on constitutionally protected behavior. The definition includes a great deal of conduct, but all of this conduct could reasonably constitute -12- terrorist activities. First, the parenthetical phrase “other than for mere personal monetary gain” removes common crimes from the definition by requiring that the offending activity be conducted for reasons other than money. For that reason, offenses like robbery and burglary are not included in the definition. Second, the mens rea element of the provision requires the actor to have the specific intent to endanger the safety of individuals or to cause substantial damage to property. Thus, the definition of terrorist activity does not include situations in which an alien has acted in self-defense 8 or in which the alien lacks the capacity9 to meet the requisite intent. More importantly, none of the aforementioned activities constitute a protected activity outside of the permissible bounds of Congressional regulation. In support of his position, Malachy provided three hypothetical examples of conduct that he claims would unconstitutionally fall under the statutory definition of “terrorist activity.” The examples are “an 8-year-old child who brings a baseball bat to school to protect himself from bullies; an individual institutionalized for a mental health disorder who attacks a doctor; [and] a woman who protects herself, in the course of a domestic violence attack, with standard kitchen cooking utensils.” Our examination of the conduct involved in these three hypotheticals convinces us, however, that none of them would constitute “terrorist activity” under the definition because none of them satisfies the elements of the definition nor are the characters engaging in protected activity. For example, both the little boy and the battered wife have acted in selfdefense, which negates the “unlawful” element. The institutionalized individual in all likelihood does not have the 8 See 2 W AYNE R. L AF AVE, S UBSTANTIVE C RIMINAL L AW § 10.4(a) (2d ed. 2003 & Supp. 2005). 9 See 1 L AF AVE supra § 7.1. -13- legal capacity to satisfy the intent requirement under the common law. See 1 L AF AVE supra § 7.1. Although we concede that the INA’s definition of “terrorist activity”certainly encompasses more conduct than our society, and perhaps even Congress, has come to associate with traditional acts of terrorism, e.g., car bombs and assassinations, nevertheless, we conclude that the INA’s definition of “terrorist activity” found in 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(iii)(V)(b), is neither unconstitutionally overbroad nor vague.