Document: 353 U.S. 194 77 S.Ct. 779 1 L.Ed.2d 765 UNITED STATES of America, Appellant,v.George I. WITKOVICH, Also Known an Juri Isador Witkovich. No. 295. Argued Feb. 28, 1957. Decided April 29, Mr. John F. Davis, Washington, D.C., for appellant. Miss Pearl M. Hart, Chicago, Ill., appellee. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion Court. Appellee was indicted under § 242(d) Immigration and Nationality Act 1952, 66 Stat. 163, 208, originally part 23 Internal Security 1950, 64 1010, on charge that, as alien against whom a final order deportation had been outstanding more than six months, he wilfully failed to give information Naturalization Service required by that section. moved dismiss indictment grounds, inter alia, it state offense within statuted in alternative, if did so, statute unconstitutional. The District Court held construed not 140 F.Supp. 815. Thereupon United States filed motion clarification court's opinion, appellee supplemental indictment, claiming district judge authorize Government elicit demanded information. Court, second dismissed failure offense. at page 820. case brought here, 352 817, 66, 44, Criminal Appeals 1907, amended, 18 U.S.C. 3731, U.S.C.A. 3731. 2 section, 68 1232, 8 (Supp. II) 1252(d), is follows: 3 '(d) Any alien, defined subsection (c) heretofore or hereafter issued has shall, pending eventual deportation, be subject supervision regulations prescribed Attorney General. Such shall include provisions which will require any (1) appear from time before immigration officer identification; (2) submit, necessary, medical psychiatric examination expense States; (3) oath his nationality, circumstances, habits, associations, activities, such other information, whether related foregoing, General may deem fit proper; (4) conform reasonable written restrictions conduct activities are case. who willfully fail comply with regulations, submit required, knowingly false relation requirements violate restriction imposed upon activity, fined $1,000 imprisoned one year, both.' 4 conferring 'power supervise make sure available no further power.' Accordingly, clause this restricted only 'such necessary enable certain holding himself readiness answer call deported when comes.' pages 819—820. court found questions listed set forth margin,* were relevant appellee's availability deportation. interpretation thus placed derived consideration its entire statutory scheme part. below guided principle requires courts, construing statutes, avoid constitutional doubts. 'To hold intended official unlimited right man criminal penalties absolutely question decide ask would raise very serious questions.' Id., 821. 5 does support put basis construction 242(d). This authorizes all reasonably appropriate keep advised regarding continued departure deportable alien. contends misconceived scope statute. It points what characterizes 'the eloquent breadth' (3), whereby proper.' This, says Government, establishes requirement 'in broadest possible terms furnishing alien.' And view, maintains, fits into scheme. In circumstances 242(a), detained determination deportability; 242(c) detention months after deportable. So, argues, 242(d), though attempt accomplish modified form ends justify earlier stages process. Our decision Carlson v. Landon, 342 524, 72 525, 96 L.Ed. 547, heavily invoked. If, so argument runs, active Communists hearings sustainable national interest avoiding recurrence past Communist activity being should least him present relationships. For view purpose supervision, two provisions: s 242(e), making alien's wilful leave country felony but providing suspension sentence release judicial consideration, effect security likelihood resumption serves deportation; recital 2(13) 'numerous aliens have deportable, many subversive, criminal, immoral classes * free roam without control.' 987, 50 781(13). 6 language 242(d)(3), read isolation literally, appears confer unbounded authority whatever deems desirable whose effected commanded. itself shrinks standing breadth these words. But once tyranny literalness rejected, considerations giving rational content words become operative. A restrictive meaning plain indicated whole, persuasive gloss legislative history rule adjudication, relied must given broader generate 7 preoccupation certainly Clause periodic appearance identification, dealing examination, clearly directed same end; 'reasonable (the alien's) activities' authorized implied gathered matter, i.e., object whole. Moreover, limitation 'reasonableness' General's power restrict suggests we harmonize various also seemingly limitless (3). For, assuredly, Congress could serve confining activities. Nowhere there suggestion broad like unto over probationer. When want deal far-flung general undesirable aliens, gave clear indication purpose, 242(e). convicted depart, specifically courts inquire both conduct. likewise counsels confinement mere (d) part, namely, actual aliens. Section reported House Judiciary Committee passed 1949, significant respect. provided indefinite appear, violated activity. H.R.Rep. 1192, 81st Cong., 1st Sess., pp. 2—3. report Committee, although several places focusing indicate concern threat represented undeportable Senate while sharing desire control substituted bill's provision imposition conditions supervision. significantly states reason change: 'This bill Representatives question.' S.Rep. 2239, 2d p. 8. history, suggesting exercise continuing well ordered shows strong congressional unwillingness enact legislation supervisory powers challenge. 9 Acceptance urged doubts statute's validity. By agents matters go beyond assuring would, least, open up extent administrative inhibit renewing subjected them See 70 Harv.L.Rev. 718. supra, where during customarily brief period deportability. Contrariwise, Committees recognized passing lifetime problem. issues touching liberties Constitution safeguards, even 'person,' fairly raised Government's 10 path situation clear. 11 'When validity act drawn question, doubt constitutionality raised, cardinal first ascertain avoided.' Crowell Benson, 285 22, 62, 52 285, 296, 76 598. 12 cases cited concurring Brandeis Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 297 288, 348, note 8, 56 466, 483, 80 688. 13 designed govern expedite context As our own confirms, permissible therefore limit authorizing calculated overdue. judgment affirmed. 14 Affirmed. 15 WHITTAKER took 16 CLARK, BURTON joins, dissenting. 17 retain custody pendency proceedings. 1252(a), U.S.C.A., 1252(a). approved 547. subsequent 'effect departure.' 210, 1252(c), 1252(c). section here declares 'shall, General.' 1011, IV) 1252(d). implemented regulation requiring 'Give associations foregoing deemed CFR 242.3(c)(3). taken source today denied deportee regard conjunction deportee's prior based. deleted crux limited phase 'supervision' solely interrogation respect favorable position all. Other obliged called do so. Indeed, they testify claim their privilege. No privilege claimed here. anomalous result reached today, entirely foreign over-all plan resident generally see 223—225, §§ 1301—1306, 1301—1306. majority reasons preoccupied We believe, however, danger public safety presence community,' ex rel. Potash Director Naturalization, Cir., 1948, 169 F.2d 747, 751, short, anticipated personal (based action) considered.' dissenting 563—564, 545—546. highly additional appellee, removal resumed Party. Yet allow inquiry areas unless determine thereby deprived vital duties. 19 motivated problems felt impelled deal. 1252(d) concerned 'actual deportation,' class deportees because permit entrance. believed finally longer effectuation All regardless status, some inquires to: date place entry intend engaged; length expect remain police record, any; (5) prescribed. 224, 1304(a), 1304(a). addition, register1 fingerprinted, 1302, 1302; notify address annually change days thereof, 225, 1305, 1305. willful registration provisions, 1306, 1306. thought closer 538, 533, 'aliens arrested opportunities hurt *.' Deportees stronger motivation carrying subversive persons likely adopt old return haunts, resume Since 1939 considering tightening controls Even then introduced referred resuming course made deportable.' H.R. 5643, 76th Sess.; 84 Cong.Rec. 5179. Eighty-first declared comment contained similar involved, 'The now committee feels enactment type necessity, proper administration laws, standpoint States.' Sess. Before presidential veto proposed 9490, President expressed opposition grounds,2 substitute offered Senate.3 proposal identical reads out Act, 'information While enacted, included showing involved long acceptable sides. forerunners surprising repeatedly Congress. doing deprives possesses exercises every day orders. 20 takes adopted 'would, deportation.' trial puts issue, constitutionally F.Supp., There nothing record attempted 'inhibit' 'from (him) tried answers necessity therefor security. stage never reached. undertook He got answers. affirming, prevents obtaining questions. dissent. sole issue exercised. Whether hands involved. We, therefore, invoking avoidance none soon enough pass 21 However, since enlarged feel thereon. believe prevent using residence continuation immoral, formed 'congressional plan' reference States. Commonwealth Pennsylvania Nelson, 1956, 350 497, 503—504, 477, 480—481, 100 640. Several thousand on, due Court's virtually Still will, probability, among us neither nor countries nationals wish leave. To potential agents. facilitating 8—13. Case histories refused visas native might carry deported. Hearings Subcommittee S.1832, 323. Were cease land requisite visa returned. 22 exceedingly broad. Nothing forcibly cases. expel noncitizen undesirable. merely explusion concomitant thereof presented. gives discloses dangerous people. contest it, turn precautions need exercised know. know prevented effective sought counterbalancing preventing detrimental conduct, authorities charged internal warning signal substantially outweighs 'issues liberties' interrogation. Like establishment fire lines restraints depends obtain Hirabayashi States, 1943, 320 81, 99, 63 1375, 1385, 87 1774. jailing proceedings thereafter, admittedly valid, largely futile cannot subsequently effectively. Certainly stultification. 24 regret used strip important performance duty protect '(a) Q. Do you subscribe Daily Worker? '(b) Witkovich, can Solvene English? '(c) entered March 4, 1954, visited office 'Narodny Glasnik,' 1413 West th Street, Illinois? ever offices Bohemian publication 'Nova Dova' Slovakian 'Ludovy Noviny,' 1510 18th '(e) editor 'Narodni Glasnik'? '(f) Leo Fisher? '(g) Anton Minerich? '(h) Nick Rajkovich? '(i) Arsenio Bartl? '(j) Zuskar? '(k) Calvin Brook? '(l) your June 25, 1953 attended meeting Party U.S.A.? '(m) 1954 organization singing club? '(n) Have addressed lodges Slovene National Benefit Society requesting aid case, 1953? '(o) distributed petitions leaflets published seeking you, behalf, '(p) meetings lectures Peoples Auditorium, 2457 Chicago Avenue, '(q) socials Chopin Cultural Center, 1547 North Leavitt Chicago? '(r) movies Cinema Annex, 3210 Madison '(s) Are acquainted individual named Irving Franklin? '(t) member '(u) American Council? '(v) South Slavic Americans?' includes series covers except those knew specific person. One disclosure participation clubs, organizations, societies; another convictions either outside still affiliation organizations influencing furthering way political relations, policy government. message explaining 1950 stated 'be glad approve' 23, forerunner 'although (§ 23) respects weaker desirable.' H.R.Doc. 708, 3. S. 4130, Senators Benton, Douglas, Graham, Humphrey, Kefauver, Lehman, Chairman Senator Kilgore. discussion problem presented remarks Humphrey 14486.

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