Document: 401 U.S. 815 91 S.Ct. 1060 28 L.Ed.2d 499 William P. ROGERS, Secretary of State, Appellant,v.Aldo Mario BELLEI. No. 24. Argued Jan. 15, 1970. Reargued Nov. 12, Decided April 5, 1971. Syllabus Appellee challenges the constitutionality § 301(b) Immigration and Nationality Act 1952, which provides that one who acquires United States citizenship by virtue having been born abroad to parents, whom is an American citizen, has met certain residence requirements, shall lose his unless he resides in this country continuously for five years between ages 14 28. The three-judge District Court held section unconstitutional, citing Afroyim v. Rusk, 387 253, 87 1660, 18 757, Schneider 377 163, 84 1187, 12 218. Held: Congress power impose condition subsequent on appellee, does not come within Fourteenth Amendment's definition citizens as those 'born or naturalized States,' its imposition unreasonable, arbitrary, unlawful. supra, distinguished. Pp. 820—836. 296 F.Supp. 1247, reversed. Sol. Gen. Erwin N. Griswold, appellant. O. John Rogge, Washington, D.C., appellee. Richard Gardner, Assn. Wives Europeans Bar Assn., amici curiae. Mr. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court. 1 Under constitutional challenge here, primarily Fifth Amendment due process grounds, but also June 27, 66 Stat. 236, 8 U.S.C. 1401(b). 2 Section 301(a) Act, 1401(a), defines persons 'shall be nationals at birth.' Paragraph (7) includes a person 'of parents alien, other citizen States' specified conditions country. 301(b), however, birth under 301(a)(7) unless, after age before 28, physically present here least years. We quote statute margin.1 3 plan thus adopted with respect classification was bestow take it away upon person's failure comply post-age-14 pre-age-28 residential requirement. It deprival citizenship, once bestowed, attack here. 4 * facts are stipulated: 5 1. Aldo Bellei (hereinafter plaintiff), Italy December 22, 1939. He now 31 age. 6 2. plaintiff's father always never acquired citizenship. mother, Philadelphia 1915 native-born citizen. She retained Moreover, she fulfilled requirement physical presence 10 years, more than were attained mother married mother's 24th birthday, March 14, Nine days later, 23, newlyweds departed Italy. They have resided there ever since. 7 3. By Italian law plaintiff retains Rev.Stat. 1993, amended May 24, 1934, 1, 48 797, then effect.2 That version statute, one, contained applicable child alien parent. 4. from time until recently. currently England, where employment electronics engineer organization engaged NATO defense program. 9 5. different times. during following periods: 27 July 31, 1948 October 1951 1955 18, 1962 February 13, 1963 26 1965. 11 On first two occasions, when boy eight 11, entered her passport. next 15 just own passport admitted His issued 1952. last application approval, August 1961, contains notation 'Warned abt. 301(b).' periodically approved including 1962, 23d birthday. 6. fifth visit States, 1965, visitor. had came bride maternal grandparents. 13 7. warned writing authorities impact January again November year Sometime 1964, orally advised Embassy Rome lost pursuant 301(b). In 1966 so notified Consul requested another 8. 1960, registered Selective Service laws Rome. At already 20 took Taly, passed, Army examination. 1963, asked report induction Columbia. This induction, deferred because program employment. deferment danger losing if did After him letter that, loss no further obligation military service. Plaintiff concededly failed imposed Act. II 16 instituted action against State Southern New York. enjoined carrying out enforcing declaratory judgment unconstitutional violative Due Process Clause, Eighth Punishment Ninth Amendment, Because, 1391(e), York venue improper, case transferred 1406(a). 17 A convened. With stipulated, cross motions summary filed. ruled 757 (1967), 218 (1964), sustained motion. 1247 (D.C.1969). noted probable jurisdiction, 396 811, 90 69, 24 64 (1969), and, argument 1969 Term, restored calendar reargument. 397 1060, 1494, 25 682 (1970). III cases relied are, course, particular significance 19 (1964). Mrs. Schneider, German national birth, derivatively through naturalization States. small remained finished college. went graduate work, national, Germany, stayed there. declared intention returning 1959, denied Department ground specific provisions 352(a)(1) 1484(a)(1), continuous three foreign state formerly national. Court, five-to-three vote, like restriction citizens. dissent (Mr. Clark, joined Justices Harlan White) based position what regarded long acceptance expatriating voluntarily return their native lands; possible international complications; past decisions approving enact statutes type; Constitution's distinctions 21 (1967). Afroyim, Polish immigrated naturalization. Twenty-four later Israel voted political election 1960 349(a)(5) 1481(a)(5), voting. five-to-four significant; 'general power, express implied, citizen's without assent,' U.S., 257, S.Ct., 1662; Congress' provide uniform rule exercised individual, exhausted, Chief Marshall's well-known uncontroversial dictum Osborn Bank Wheat. 738, 827, L.Ed. 204 (1824); 'undeniable purpose' make recently conferred 'citizenship Negroes permanent secure' 'to put beyond any governmental unite destroy,' 263, 1665. Perez Brownell, 356 44, 78 568, 603 (1958), holding decade precisely opposite effect, overruled. 22 Harlan, Stewart, issue Court's claim support legislative history, would elucidate Marshall dictum, observed adoption deprive expatriate permissible grounds consistent 'other relevant commands' Constitution. 292, 1680. 23 both Each (in derivative direct) prescribed National Legislature. Each, short, covered explicitly very sentence: 'All subject jurisdiction thereof, wherein they reside.' This, accounts emphasis 'Fourteenth citizenship.' 262, IV culminating 301 merit review: Congress, Second Session, proceeded implement Art. I, 8, cl. 4, 'establish Rule Naturalization' producing 26, 1790, 103. among things, stated, 'And children may sea, limits considered natural citizens: Provided, right descend whose fathers resident *.' provision, only minor changes phrasing same paternal residence, effect succeeding Acts. 29, 1795, 3, 415; 1802, 155; 10, 1855, c. 71, 604. significant difference 1802 Acts read retrospectively, while 1855 reads prospectively well. See Weedin Chin Bow, 274 657, 664, 47 772, 774, 71 1284 (1927), Montana Kennedy, 366 308, 311, 81 1336, 1338, 313 (1961). unimportant embodied 1993 Revised Statutes 1874.3 2, 1907, 6, 34 1229, provided all continued reside elsewhere, order receive protection, record become residents remain oath allegiance attaining majority.4 29 change effected reflected n. supra. eliminated theretofore parent granted five-year oath, foreign-born either mother. form 30 1940, 201, 54 1138, similar directed total years' 21.5 407, 281, became Its (alleviated, 1957 amendment, see allowance absences less months aggregate) period 32 statutory pattern, therefore, developed expanded (a) established 1790 enduring specifically States; (b), protection residing abroad, dependent declaration intent majority; (c), condition, parent, six (d), child, necessarily continuous, 21; (e), allowance, 33 these respective Bellei's produces results: Not 1934 conceivable For century half assistance. Maternal afforded benefit. One observe, too, 1933, instead 1939, even today. 35 Despite recognition root despite continuing liberalization statutes, still entitled full because, although fulfill statutes. 36 though liberalizing 1940 1952 enacted terms date available plaintiff. nn. 37 Thus, summary, said fairly most part, each successive applied moved direction leniency child. changed complete disqualification subsequent, being made onerous, replacement stricter born. nevertheless satisfy condition. V 38 evident felt itself possessed grant qualifications Of obviously way, about expatriation invalidated Afroyim. 39 look again, then, Constitution indulge history's assistance: 40 initial significance, foundation stone decisional structure perhaps after-the-fact osmosis, earlier well, opening 41 42 central fact, our weighing therefore current abroad. And All so, seems indisputable sentence Bellei. simply Fourteenth-Amendment-first-sentence posture contrasts 43 must center appropriate exercise restrictions pertinent sentence. 44 reach congressional area readily apparent: 45 Over 70 ago Gray, reviewed discussed early English relating rights inheritance British subjects, Wong Kim Ark, 169 649, 668—671, 456, 464—465, 890 (1898). concluded 'naturalization descent' common-law concept dependent, instead, enactment. examined Edw. (1350); Car. (1677); Anne, (1708); Geo. (1731); (1773). Later Taft, speaking unanimous referred 'very learned useful Gray' 'that Crown, successor fixed nationality, could except 660, 773. cited 'These colonies War Independence.' 46 acknowledgment follows concepts jus soli, is, place governs status modified statute. originally However, general varying contexts: House; Senators; II, III, af-States. And, noted, Article affecting judicial vested Naturalization.' historical reviews opinions intimation lack definitional specificity well attributable part desire avoid entanglement then-existing controversy difficult question Negro slaves. event, might expected terms, none embraced original document or, indeed, amendments prior Between 49 Apart passing reference 'natural Citizen' we have, Civil Rights 9, 1866, concomitant formal born: '(A)ll excluding Indians taxed, hereby found immediate expression 1868, expansion '(a)ll As above, amendment's mere H. Flack, Adoption 88—94 (1908). 50 Gray 'declaratory existing rights, affirmative law,' far concerned. 688, 472. Then 51 'But (the Amendment) touched acquisition parents; left regulated, been, constitution establish naturalization.' 52 last, emerged But restricted combination factors, significant: subjection apply type, proper action. 53 recognized existence power. observed, 'No slightest requirements compiled Ginsberg, 243 472, 475, 422, 425, 61 853 (1917). Ness, 245 319, 118, 62 321 (1917); Maney 278 17, 73 156 (1928). transmit descent. hereinabove who, effective aliens. responded situation enacting 1338. expired which, withholding benefit such descent bestowed. 673—674, 466—467. Then, transmission qualifying father, withheld completely father. Further, conceded withhold Bellei6 prescribe precedent question.7 55 Thus area, exercise, properly used situations. VI 56 takes us, confronted conclude unlawful, withstands challenge. 57 concern problems attendant dual nationality. Savorgnan 338 491, 500, 297, 94 287 (1950); Bar-Yaacov, Dual xi These particularly acute child's chooses family reared, best, atmosphere divided loyalty. cannot say primary father's misplaced arbitrary. 58 duality creates governments involved. Brennan when, concurring Kennedy Mendoza-Martinez, 372 144, 187, 83 554, 577, 644 (1963), concerning citizens, observed: 'We entanglements stem famous Douglas wrote problem Tomoya Kawakita 343 717, 723—736, 72 950, 955—962, 96 1249 (1952). '(o)ne nationality will claims nations, times competing conflicting,' id., 733, 960; turn 'into fair-weather citizenship,' 736, 962; '(c) ircumstances compel do acts otherwise compatible obligations ibid. conceded: 59 'It legitimate bear benefits some nexus States.' F.Supp., 1252. 60 There intimations decided constitutionally required election. Perkins Elg, 307 325, 329, 884, 887, 1320 (1939), minority parents' 'provided majority elects retain assume duties.' 734, 961, 'under circumstances' can deprived Congress. Mandoli Acheson, 344 133, 138, 135, 137, 97 146 (1952), pains observe imposing litigant. flatly duty elect imposed. surely indicate, possible, absence theory unconstitutionality. concerned citizenship; person, Bellei, wholly, statutory. development outlined Part underlying committee reports, studies, reveals careful consideration purposeful accidental. legislation structured care light apparent problems. 63 solution dilemma way unreasonably. best devised, irrational arbitrary unfair. possessions 14. imposed, himself, emphasized importance talisman dedicated attachment, 666—667, 774—775, said: too much say, (when consideration) attached actual indicating basis states Fish, Minister Washburn, 1873, proviso, 'the heritable blood associated unmistakeably essential Foreign Relations Pt. p. 259.' 665—666, 774. 65 policy aliens seeking 1427(a). feel good sense, comport logic, hand, precedent, complication, yet powerless subsequent. Any distinction, rest, all, asserted 'premise dignity coextensive,' 165, 1189, announcement 'power, 1662. But, pointed utterances bottomed direct 'persons accept notion judicially extended absolute. absolute demonstrated fact naturalization, unlawfully procured, set aside. 267 1667. 67 contrary convert generosity into something unanticipated undesired Our Legislature indulged presumptive satisfaction reasonable requirement, rather deny outright, do, relegate desired arduous usual process. force choose unconditional conferment fulfilled. convinced requires rigid choice. If does, response obvious. 68 Neither persuaded impresses 'second-class cliche handy easy, s, misleading. beneficial fully deniable. permits gain starting point noncitizenship, place. conditional, 'second-class.' 69 stateless. remains. lived practically life country; visited times, stipulated contain indication live asserts ignorance mistake hardship. several provision need up hold infirmity Judgment BLACK, DOUGLAS MARSHALL join, dissenting. Less four 74 designed to, protect every Nation forcible destruction whatever creed, color, race. give own, free relinquishes 268, 1668, 75 clear. not, today, consistently stripping renounced given up. Now vote simple composition, overrules decision. 76 today holds indeed rob members themselves 'unreasonable, arbitrary,' ante, 831; 'misplaced 832; 'irrational unfair,' 833. My comment 'tests' appears little strange find announced condemns resort cliches, describes 'too misleading'. Ante, 835. description fits words clauses uses, not. 77 Constitution, written ages, rise fall notions 'fair,' 'reasonable,' 'arbitrary.' commands: 79 Speaking language, assent. Today, holding. precious should blown around wind composition I dissent. 80 s Statutes, amended,1 neither nor assented act terminating it. wanting himself but, rather, maintained wants keep my view, decision unconstitutionally 19522 Since account whether intends desires relinquish inevitably inconsistent principles Citizenship Clause notes essentially construing Amendment. declares that: reasons protections involuntary runs, protected since foreignborn hence, falls outside scope guarantees hardly call generous reading great purposes bring about. 82 While conceding states: 'He citizen.' Therefore, reasons, revocation barred conclusion protects Americans others. Indeed, hierarchy suggested opinion, rejected (1964): start premise coextensive.' Id., 1189. she, case, Consequently, rush overrule also, view excluded relegated second-class narrow, restrictive, super-technical interpretations 'was 1668. 85 Afroyim's broad interpretation finds ample language history was, speaking, 'naturalized Although acquire conferring popularly thought use word 'naturalize' considerable history. empowered Naturalization,' Anyone acquiring solely 'An passed 1970 Session First part: 86 103, 104. earliest enactment 'Rule shows, think, conceived likely purely grants forms varieties clearest idea others similarly situated (1898): 88 'The fourteenth amendment contemplates sources only,—birth authority law. circumstances defined constitution. Every becomes needs naturalized, treaty, annexation territory; congress, declaring classes enactments enabling foreigners individually proceedings tribunals, ordinary acts.' 702—703, 477. 89 Ark stated comprehensive shown sense generic term describing meaning modes means obtainign inclusive besides Minor Happersett, Wall. 162, 167, 627 (1875), 'Additions ways: first, second, (N)ew created Elk Wilkins, 112 94, 41, 643 (1884), 'contemplates only: Persons afterwards, individually, acts, collectively, treaty territory acquired.' 101—102, 45. permitted intended supply shortly ratified, clear declare constitute State.' Slaughter-House Cases, 36, 73, 394 (1873). study, Professor Flack 'put doubt cavil law, dissenting appear agreed basic proposition described 'calculated control extent 'declaration individuals initially attaches.' 92 rely 'in imposes limitation expressed above majority's exclude narrow extraordinarily technical employed If, example, decide vest naturalize embassy officials ceremony performed country, jsut go procedures. Rather majority, 'in' phrase meant understood somewhat senses: supported Clause. clause added Senate late debates introduced thereof.' Cong. Globe, 39th Cong., 1st Sess., 2768. (Emphasis added.) final undoubtedly scope. 88—89. 93 admittedly depart American, privileges renounces puts aside standard measure substitutes vague 'fairness.' new step recurring theme test 'fair, reasonable, right.' concession conferred, revoke, upholds unfair.' applies 'shock-the-conscience' uphold, strike, federal dangerous allows constitutional. 95 course construction 'strict' one. contrary, proceeds day day, month month, year, according shifting fair, right. founders draft binding so. loosest employed. true England along world familiarity experience, ancestors determined sworn obey. continue oppose judges, appointed changing administrations, 'fair' 'reasonable.' views 'arbitrary,' commands. BRENNAN, joins, 98 Term downgraded receiving public welfare, Wyman James, 400 309, 381, 408 (1971), citzens misfortune illegitimate, Labine Vincent, 532, 1917, 288, suppose today's downgrading expected. Once James Labine, makes decisions. Concededly, petitioner right, operation rational distinguishing carried bounds those, overseas, compelled wherever time. strip renonuced relinquished 'Sec. 301. birth: '(1) thereof; '(7) geographical outlying periods totaling ten fourteen years: Provided *. '(b) paragraph subsection (a), twenty-three immediately coming State(s) attainment precedes twenty-eight Subsection (b) 1966, Pub.L. 770, 1322, additions omitted above; relevancy 85—316, 16, 644, 1401b, September 1957, aggregate break continuity (the) presence' 'Any hereafter be, previous comes therein eighteenth twenty-first America Bureau heretofore 'That thereof accordance nineteen hundred ninety-three shall, Government, reaching eighteen consulate majority.' 201. '(g) possessions, sixteen alien: thirteen twenty-one further, That, taken reaches impossible thereupon cease. '(h) foregoing (g) retention 1934.' oral counsel 'Congress so.' Tr. Oral Rearg. 27. Counsel sympathetic cause concession. 36. 26. 797.

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