Document: 348 U.S. 540 75 S.Ct. 509 99 L.Ed. 624 Louis SHOMBERG, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 48. Argued March 1, 1955. Decided April 4, Mr. Alan Y. Cole, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Gray Thoron, respondent. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion Court. 1 The precise issue in this proceeding is whether petitioner, who filed his petition naturalization two days before effective date Immigration and Nationality Act 1952, 66 Stat. 163, 8 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq., U.S.C.A. may compel a final hearing on same determination deportation proceedings instituted after based solely grounds initiated by that Act. 'priority provision' Act, 318, states 'no shall be finally heard * if there pending against petitioner proceeding.' 244, 1429, 1429.1 But claims savings clause 405, 280, 1101, note, which we considered United States v. Menasche, 528, 513, preserves eligibility citizenship under prior law, thereon cannot delayed reason pendency subsequently action. Both trial court, 115 F.Supp. 336, Court Appeals, 210 F.2d 82, decided We granted certiorari, 811, 24, order to determine relationship between 318 405 1952 2 On October submitted Naturalization Service preliminary application file naturalization, Form N—400. Following examination, he December 22, 1952. prenaturalization investigation disclosed had criminal record; been convicted grand larceny 1913 manslaughter 1915. Section 241(a) subjects aliens they are 'at any time entry crimes involving moral turpitude, not arising out single scheme misconduct.' 204, 1251(a)(4), 1251(a)(4). June 1953, warrant arrest was issued 1915 convictions, charging as petitioner's presence country violation 241(a)(4). were progress when July 28, through an show cause case, moved and, interim, stay proceedings. Relying supra, district judge denied motion Appeals affirmed. 3 Petitioner's main argument 405(a) nothing contained new 'unless otherwise specifically provided therein, construed affect status, condition, right process acquisition done or existing, at take effect.' Petitioner eligible law remains deportable. argues proceeding, Act,2 adversely affecting protected 405(a), wit, inchoate citizenship. This, claims, direct contravention terms unless some other section 'otherwise provide(s).' advanced just such exception, says 'Notwithstanding provisions 405(b) *,' makes no mention 405(a). Thus, concludes, specific exception protection afforded rights vindicate must prevail present 4 agree with that, absent provision contrary, has These stem from filing N—400, perhaps, fulfillment five-year residence requirement. 513. hold excepts these step process.3 5 practice previous enactment priority immigration nationality laws both processes proceed along together until either ipso facto terminated possibility occurring. See Waskowski, 7 Cir., 158 962. And few instances where deportations stayed permit obtain recently enacted provision, remedy habeas corpus termination those ex rel. Walther District Director Naturalization, 175 693; Petition Kavadias, 177 497. general rule stays utilized, cf. Klig Watkins, 84 486, ensued race alien gain Attorney General deport him. If successful forcing granting petition, completely nullified. To situation, Congress incorporated 27 Subversive Activities Control 1950, 64 1015, (1946 ed., Supp. V) 729(c). This prohibited holding hearings petitions 'under Act.' 1950 took effect immediately clause, although it introduced retroactively applied. Galvan Press, 347 522, 74 737, 98 911. Jankowski Shaughnessy, 186 580, provision—s 27—was held apply even though commenced, here, statute. 6 re-enacted substantially form, retaining language its predecessor suspending contends plain does case because did exempt operation embodied preserved. It true begins phrase 405(b),' first glance might indicate intended further analysis renders position untenable. inserted emergency given immediate prospective retroactive effect. carried forward almost verbatim make certain would existing added referring only part deals explicitly applicable petitions. congressional purpose have supersede stemming petitions, interpretation approach unexplainedly reversed 'notwithstanding' rendered meaningless. draftsmen could more exact their language, since well 405(b), embraces see supra. think intent enough. will result affording pre-petition Menasche-type than itself, former embraced within 405(b). do believe differentiates steps naturalization. Each but whole leading each subject 318. 9 Nor can accept law. In making contention, gives away gains nothing. groups then affects petitioner; clear infringed exception. Only something introduces change, thereby one's status old called into play. required. construction prevail, meaningless previously rejected. takes meaning assume made change statement noting That case.4 10 role thus played substantial accord predecessor, 347(b) 1940, 54 1168, ed.) 747. pointed 347(b), two-year limitation, special limitation preserved subsection (a) clause. period deleted broad bringing bear exceptions found whenever sought connected process.5 11 our view, 405[b] vehicle applying liabilities emerging using sections, clearly manifested policies should override pervasive principle recognized wide scope lax duty give recognition also considerations thought compelling preservation quo. nullify legislative render find Government bars attempt while preceeding pending. 12 Affirmed. 13 HARLAN consideration decision case. text material part, follows: 'Sec. Notwithstanding except sections 327 328 person naturalized whom outstanding finding deportability pursuant Act; court Act: *.' assumed purposes deportable 241(a). note 3, infra. say challenge authority him express challenge, grounded otherwise, succeed Whether question raised expressly waived Brief, p. 7. argument, punctuation resulted findings proceedings, When viewed circumstances surrounding controverted usual rules proper punctuation, contention shown without substance. 311 provides abridged race, sex marriage, '(n)otwithstanding hereafter filed, 239, 1422, 1422. 313(a) states: naturalized' engages specified subversive activities member described organizations. 240, 1424(a), 1424(a). 315(a) provides: one claimed alienage 'is was' relieved service armed forces, 'shall permanently ineligible become citizen.' 242, 1426(a), 1426(a). 331(d) ending enemy whose still date.' 252, 1442(d), 1442(d).

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