Document: 376 U.S. 120 84 S.Ct. 580 11 L.Ed.2d 559 Frank COSTELLO, Petitioner,v.IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE. No. 83. Argued Dec. 12, 1963. Decided Feb. 17, 1964. Edward Bennett Williams, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Wayne G. Barnett, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Section 241(a)(4) Immigration and Nationality Act 19 2 provides that 'Any alien in United States * shall, upon order Attorney General, be deported who at any time after entry is convicted two crimes involving moral turpitude *.'1 The single question to decided present case whether this provision applies a person was naturalized citizen he crimes, but later denaturalized. petitioner, born Italy 1891, brought when four years old has lived here ever since. He became 1925. In 1954 separate offenses income tax evasion, convictions were ultimately affirmed by Costello v. States, 350 359, 76 406, 100 L.Ed. 397. 1959 his citizenship revoked certificate naturalization canceled on ground had been acquired willful misrepresentation. This Court judgment denaturalization. 365 265, 81 534, 5 551. 3 1961 Naturalization Service commenced proceedings deport petitioner under § 241(a)(4), it those which have culminated now before us. Special Inquiry Officer found deportable; Board Appeals affirmed; dismissed petition review, holding subject deportation even though relied support both occurred citizen. 311 F.2d 343. We granted certiorari consider an important federal law.2 For reasons follow, we reverse Appeals. 4 At semantic level, controversy centers around use tense 'is' clause '((a)ny alien) *.' argues language permits only one convictions. totally rejected such contention, statutory language, considered along with phrase 'at entry' broad legislative history, clearly while 'There no ambiguity,' court wrote, 'no room interpretation or construction.' 345. additional its conclusion ex rel. Eichenlaub Shaughnessy, 338 521, 70 329, 94 307, held 1920 law aliens specified deportable certificates naturalization. take different view. statute construed Ei henlaub differs from several respects. there involved May 10, 1920, provided 'All since August 1, 1914, may hereafter convicted' violations Espionage 1917, as amended, deported, Secretary Labor hearing them undesirable residents States.3 read unabiguously authorizing deportation, regardless aliens' status they convicted. It evident what said aided considerably search proper construction Congress' past 'have be,' fact limitation Congress placed conviction 'since 1914.'4 also specific history conclusion. As Congressional Committee Reports demonstrated, special dealing sabotage espionage, originally enacted 'some all about 500 then interned dangerous enemy might found, hearings, residents, some 150 other who, during World War I, national security measures, residents.' U.S., 532, S.Ct., 334, 307. therefore concluded Congress, statute, expressed clear intent group together denaturalized citizens never occurring date beginning I. 6 Neither nor lends itself so easily similar construction. subsection employs neither verb limitation. petitioner's construction—that convictions, Appeals' convictions—are possible readings respondent conceded brief oral argument. 7 agree 'be' not, alone, dispositive.5 On hand, disagree court's reliance post-entry conduct not conviction. Since 212(a)(9)6 exclusion turpitude, excludable nevertheless enters country 241(a)(1),7 seems just logical conclude purpose simply make authorizes excludable, entry. 8 There nothing nature resolve ambiguity language. general underlying enactment broaden provisions governing 'particularly referring criminal subversive aliens.'8 But reference generalized does little promote resolution problem us, absolutely mention materials concerning 241(a)(4).9 9 Although illumines our problem, considerable light forthcoming another itself. 241(b)(2), made specifically applicable shall place 'if sentencing crime make, first imposing passing sentence, within thirty days thereafter, recommendation deported.'10 correctly observed. 'It plain qualifying (b) are part scheme (a)(4). While section makes referred qual fied manner (b)(2) if mentioned, (a)(4) do apply.' Gubbels Hoy, Cir., 261 952, 954.11 10 Yet apply citizens, protective 241(b)(2) would, them, become dead letter. A would sentence,' presumably 'within thereafter,' 'alien' could seek invoke protections law. Until denaturalized, still purposes, lack jurisdiction 241(b)(2).12 hesitate long adopting respect entire class aliens, completely nullify procedure intrinsic scheme.13 If, however, despite impact should thought absence continued leave matter doubt, nonetheless constrained accepted principles area doubt favor emphasized, 'deportation drastic measure times equivalent banishment exile, Delgadillo Carmichael, 332 388, 68 (92 17). forfeiture misconduct residence country. Such penalty. To construe less generously find logic. stakes individual, will assume meant trench freedom beyond required narrowest meanings words used.' Fong Haw Tan Phelan, 333 6, 374, 92 433. 12 Adoption end inquiry, urges affirmance finding deportability alternative ground, reached argument because 340(a) 1952, canceled, denaturalization 'shall effective original date' order.14 Under so-called 'relation-back' theory, cancellation 'effective' 1925, year naturalization, 1954, accordingly requires alienage 13 reject theory much same prompted 241(a)(4). 340(a), indication copious 1952 Act, suggest intended relation-back Act. view complete contrary, appear more than codify existing Several cases nullity, Johannessen 225 227, 32 613, 56 1066, that, determining rights derivative citizenship, related back Battaglino Marshall, 172 979, 981; Rosenberg 60 475. 14 Second Circuit alone among courts thinking nunc pro tunc concept judicially developed properly task construing statute. Watkins, 167 659; Willumeit 171 773. And came here, pointedly declined adopt Circuit's reasoning. 529—530, 333, 307.15 Following Court's decision Eichenlaub, Sixth expressly refused principle cases, 'entry' purposes predecessor 1917 Brancato Lehmann, 239 663.16 15 legal fiction best, concedes cannot 'mechanically applied.' With itself, adopted enacting 340(a). unwilling attribute extend context case, decline now. 16 anomalous hold procured misrepresentation although all. certain today citizenship. points out trial offered plead guilty count indictment return nolle prosequi counts, him Even important, availed himself supplementary relief 241(b)(2). words, go further merely preventing benefiting invalid naturalization; put disadvantageous position occupied 17 Moreover, doctrine well, respondent's counsel argument, whose fraudulent, legally technical ground.17 law, well eschew technicalities fictions deal instead realities. reality citizen, almost 30 years. 18 If wanted thus render nugatory meaningless so. evidence whatever considered. gives matter, draw distinctions based denaturalization, interval between conviction, denaturalization.18 differentiations make. Reversed. 20 HARLAN took consideration case. 21 WHITE, whom CLARK concurs, dissenting. 22 contended, majority hold, constitutional impediment i commission committed. §§ 241 340 manifest congressional achieve result. I inconsistent background, reasonable can ascribed it. 23 Petitioner, Italy, entered 1895, 1925 counts having attempted defeat evade payment taxes filing false fraudulent returns 1948 1949. misrepresentation, affirmed. that: 24 25 description fits exactly unambiguously. entry, all-embracing recognizes exception 26 qualification carves requiring occur achieved expense terms control stray judicial function.1 27 Pursuant power, unquestioned prescribe conditions presence country, 241(a) embodies determination classes reason their acts conduct, longer desirable significance commit indicative confirmed type privilege remaining withdrawn. House recommended (4) agreed unanimously 'those committed second showed heart tendency, deported.' 53 Cong.Rec. 5168. us reassess wisdom judgment, reaffirmed function dual standard being identify individuals presumed possess lawless propensities undesirable, circumstance o nominal beside point. 28 respects redefined criteria deportability. (d), applied prior forfeited residential privileges previous Lehmann Carson, 353 685, 77 1022, 1122, where former conditional pardon given saved deportation. Given Carson like upholding power legislate manner,2 intention provide current standards frustrated importing irrelevant considerations state bears alien's brings definition alien. 29 now, remain Nor undesirability diminished relies obtained fraud turpitude. Today's crimes. practiced procuring citizenship.3 His becomes ready shield, result believe enact into II. 31 foregoing fortified examination background against enacted. issue presented instant resolved 1950, over final passage Shaughnessy companion Germany 1930 respectively. 1930's naturalized, 1944. 1941 1942, enjoyed status, 1917. declared residents: violation (of others).' 33 argued conditioned conviction.4 answer contention was: 34 'If initiate distinction urged relators, likely change express suggests distinguish groups criminals.' 35 occasioned desire rid statutes, narrowly interpreted. followed therefrom: 36 hardly conceivable circumstances, without saying so, prevent (the of) offenders received respective fraud. permit set up defense, successfully claim benefits advantages evidently means free (1) thereafter (2) hearing, (3) that.' Id., 532 533, 334—335, 37 consideration, carried message impute legislature twice-convicted must say create based. face proceeded declaring turpitude.'5 abstract meaning these majority's defensible, think is, fails enactment. 38 contends distinguishable be' convicted, whereas refers verbs explicitly view, therefore, rested been' leg dissent recognized necessary definite periods time—between 1920; 1920—in occur.6 coalescence unrelated conviction.7 III. 39 Whatever examining standing dispelled revocation relates to, deemed 'effective certificate.'8 did 1924. useless talk always aliens. reads declares nonexistent. 40 takes problems limited, expand coverage. branches untenable. 41 Prior 475 (C.A.3d Cir. 1932), 979 (C.A.2d 1949),9 members family derived through 'the paper conferred grant F.2d, 476. stated limited shown decisions 659 1948), aff'd sub nom. 307; 773 1949), 329. These which, earlier, decree back, least purpose. Cf. 475.'10 appeal grounds, unnecessary pass issue. 42 development unnoticed Congress. 338(d) 1940 contained saving actual report study Laws published April 20, Senate Judiciary summarized then-existing follows: 43 'The effect distinguished expatriation declare 'naturalized' either illegality prerequisites met. laws reservations, children derive parent otherwise incur illegal naturalization.'11 44 day report, chairman Committee, Senator McCarran, roduced omnibus bill, S. 3455, designed incorporate immigration That bill contain However, 339(f), substantially identical 340(f) finally enacted, consequences rights. Had rule matters, governed solely doctrine, course courts. McCarran's next 2055, introduced 27, 1951, (now 340(f)) appeared earlier 45 Government's failure cast continuing vitality felt insure doctrine's questions. suggestion supported history. much, clear: Courts principle; dealt separately generally concealment order. own it, unless rendered meaningless, remained ordered deported. IV. 46 finds supposed implications 241(b). 241(a)(4); unavailability intend deportable, asserted. holds authority deportee 47 My 241(b) somewhat different. defined described qualified stay conduct. every fallen category, judge depend opportunity exercise 241(b), forbid misconceives scope coextensive coverage latter section. 48 speaks postentry paragraphs specify particular themselves justifying Some involve turpitude; others may, fall literal ineffective, excludes coverage, narcotics offenses,12 offense listed (4).13 Obviously, review crime, basis action. 49 situations procedures unavailable follow. abroad. requirement eliminated Act.14 obvious abroad; yet difficult proscribed cases. Third abroad entry15 ostensibly 241(b)'s providing veto.16 50 Costello's bar intended, says, nondeportability. none here. defendant, actually appears fraud, prefers continue masquerade equated judge's especially true knew instituted fraud.17 51 inconsistency other, regard 433, misplaced. quarrel unable discern ambiguities deportee, expression carry out. '(a) Any (including crewman) who— '(4) five sentenced confinement confined therefor prison corrective institution, more, arising misconduct, trial;' 66 Stat. 204, U.S.C. 1251(a)(4). 'limited Question "Whether 'alien crimes' individual convicted." 372 975, 83 1111, 141. relevant '* following classes, addition expulsion warrant Labor, taken custody wit: '(1) All 4067 Revised Statutes '(2) conspiracy violate Acts namely: An entitled 'An punish interference foreign relations, neutrality, commerce better enforce *." 593—594. See 157 (1926 ed.) ordinary words.' 527, 332, says 'aliens *' (emphasis supplied) deportations persons enumerated (August 1914), 1920.' 530, Comparing various forms employed subsections helpful. differences wording reflect style attributable antecedents provisions, reflects subsection, contrast others, people position. 1182(a)(9). 1251(a)(1). Commentary Walter M. Besterman, Legislative Assistant Judiciary, U.S.C.A., pt. p. 61. commentator refer innovations broadening scope: 'Many grounds new retroactive effect. They notwithstanding Also, facts (June 1952).' ibid. H.R.Rep.No.1365, 82d Cong., 2d Sess., (1952); S.Rep. 1515, 81st 390—392 (1950); 1137, H.R.Rep. 2096 (Conference Report), 127 (1952). Service, Analysis Sess. (1950), Vol. 5, pp. 241—3 241—6; 716, 1st (1951), 4, 241—2 241—4. generally, note 8, supra, 1—91. respecting General due notice making representatives interested State, prosecution authorities, representations matter.' 1251(b). Ninth court-martial military constituted accorded available suggested similarly situated, chargeable knowledge illegally, practically unrealistic, technically competent appropriate Stephan, F.Supp. 445. provision, reinforces basic relevance 3, supra. 874, 889—890. duty district attorneys districts institute revoking setting aside admitting canceling *, certificate, respectively 260, 1451(a). opinion. 1914; 1929; left returned 1930; 1932; 1939. 1932 'entry,' 1939 1929 year. amended 'illegally procured.' September 26, 1961, 18, 75 656. 663, appellant's 'was verified affidavits credible witnesses,' 1906 Frankfurter's dissenting 536—537, 335, 336—337, repeatedly stressed statutes aid grammar formal logic lay down.' Whitridge, 197 135, 143, 408, 696. Shirey, 359 255, 260—261, 79 746, 749, 789; CIO, 335 106, 112, 1349, 1849; American Trucking Assns., 310 543, 1059, 1063, 1345; Ozawa 260 178, 194, 65, 67, 67 199. Marcello Bonds, 349 302, 757, 99 1107; Galvan Press, 347 522, 74 737, 98 911; Harisiades 342 580, 72 512, 96 586; Mahler Eby, 264 32, 283, 549; Ng Fung Ho White, 259 276, 92, 938; Bugajewitz Adams, 228 585, 607, 57 978. anomaly observation alter exist Dr. c ntended shows 'may convicted.' indicates grammatical possibility.' Brief 82, October Term, 1949, 7. subcommittees Committees aware bearing pending objection proposed post facto unconstitutional, Richard Arens, Staff Director Subcommittee 716 stated: 'What you mean legislation? Does term 'ex facto' historical origin pronouncements including Eby alluded few moments ago, establish peradventure applicability procedure?' Joint Hearings Subcommittees H.R. 2379, 2816, 694. observed: states: 'undesirable States.' petitioners herein come, urged, prerequisite.' (Emphasis added.) Petitioner 'has significant most perfect forms: 'is been,' been.' paragraphs, act event irrelevant, paragraph coincide time. dichotomy tests carrying sawed-off shotgun, connected management house prostitution absurdity imputing too require more. districts, affidavit showing good cause therefor, material revo ation Revocation fraudulently authorized 1906; until revocations interim. dictum early 1912 implied existence. 240—241, 616, 1066; cited approval lower opinion: applicant's) province, bound, see jurisdictional predicated exist, grant.' Luria 231 9, 24, 13, 58 101. 659, 660. 755. Subsection matter. charged (a)(11) section.' Jew Ten 307 832 (C.A.9th Cir.). De Luca O'Rourke, 213 759 (C.A.8th Cir.); Ex parte Robles-Rubio, 119 610 (D.C.N.D.Cal.). three categories following: '(A)ny imprisonment '(Any once entry; admits commission, felony misdemeanor turpitude.' 'in country,' eliminated. 2055 read: institution tur itude, trial; offense, comprehended foregoing, discretion concludes resident conference Senators McCarran Humphrey. 5756, 5758. Rasmussen Robinson, 163 732, 734 Cir.), '(T)his portion 'Attorney General'. General' States. 'recommendation' mandatory him. follows judges certainly impose mandate judiciary proviso, alien, proviso.' Santarelli Hughes, 116 613 provided: '(T)he pardoned, directed court, thereof, sentence evasion thereby avoiding possibility unrealistic reasons. trial, Costello, 145 892, reversed, 247 384 356 256, 78 714, 741. flowing bargain advantageous himself. speculative done Government, woul foreclose proceedings.

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