Document: 402 U.S. 49 91 S.Ct. 1312 28 L.Ed.2d 592 George K. ROSENBERG, District Director, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Petitioner,v.YEE CHIEN WOO. No. 156. Argued Feb. 23, 1971. Decided April 21, Charles Gordon, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Gordon G. Dale, San Francisco, Cal., respondent. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Respondent, Yee Chien Woo, is a native mainland China, Communist country, who fled that country in 1953 sought refuge Hong Kong. He lived Kong until 1959 when he came to United States as visitor sell merchandise through concession at trade fair Portland, Oregon. After short stay, returned only come back 1960 participate Diego Fair International Trade Mart promote his business. Thereafter remained although continued maintain clothing business 1965. In 1965 respondent's wife son obtained temporary visitor's permits joined him this country. By 1966 all three had overstayed their were no longer authorized remain Service began deportation proceedings, Woo applied an immigrant visa claiming 'preference' alien fearing persecution defined § 203(a)(7) Nationality Act 1952, amended, 79 Stat. 913, 8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(7) (1964 ed., Supp. V). 2 The Director denied application because 'the applicant's presence * was not now physical which consequence flight search from Chinese mainland.' (Emphasis added.) On appeal within decision affirmed by Regional Commissioner on ground 'Congress did intend alien, though formerly refugee, established roots or acquired residence other than one would again be considered refugee purpose gaining entry into subsequently acquiring status resident this, third country.' 3 Respondent then review Court Southern California reversed Director's determination. That court, without ever deciding whether resettlement have barred claim, found matter fact never firmly resettled Kong.1 appealed Appeals Ninth Circuit. court its view 'firmly resettled' 'irrelevant' consideration immigration quota. It stated: 4 'Whether appellee not, then, relevant. What relevant national (or Kingdom); but China remains stateless.' 419 F.2d 252, 254 (1969). 5 Second Circuit case, decided after below faced issue relevancy expressly declined follow interpretation statute.2 Shen v. Esperdy, 428 293 (1970). We granted certiorari case resolve conflict. 400 864, 99, 27 103 6 Since 1947 has congressionally enacted naturalization policy preferences 'displaced persons,' 'refugees,' persons certain areas world 'persecution fear account race, religion, political opinion.' Although language Congress implemented since changed slightly time basic constant provide haven homeless refugees fulfill American responsibilities connection with Refugee Organization Nations. This currently embodied 'Seventh Preference' 203 (a) 1153(a) V), provides pertinent part: 7 '(a) Aliens are subject numerical limitations specified section 201(a) shall allotted visas conditional authorized, may be, follows: '(7) (A)liens satisfy officer examination any non-Communist non-Communist-dominated (A) (i) they (I) Communist-dominated area, (ii) unable unwilling return such area opinion, (iii) nationals countries made *.' 9 supported conclusion concept irrelevant under upon two bases. First, noted first introduced Displaced Persons 1948, 62 1009, stated Relief 1953, 67 400, both predecessors present legislation.3 However, extended 1957, dropped favor formula defining eligible 'any who, flee' areas. 71 643. 1957 followed Share 1960, 74 504, 'refugee' 'not made, (3) (who) mandate Nations High Refugees.' Finally, legislation added From abandonment words determined purposely rejected 'resettlement' test eligibility status. 10 Second, gave particular significance statutory requirement 'are made.' Thus, ocurt's view, intended substitute nationals' requirement. For substantially reasons (1970), we find congressional intent depart 'firm resettlement' do give (A)(iii) broad construction below. 11 While carry over Acts earlier legislation, introduce new Act—the 'flight.' Act, well law, speaks 'fled' avoid persecution.4 Both terms closely related central theme 23 years legislation—the creation world's people. clearly underlined very titles 1948 1960. Respondent's reliance show abandoned particularly misplaced envisioned means obligations refugees, also incentive nations likewise.5 Far encouraging leave secure another, quotas percentage—25%—of absorbed cooperating nations. like successor predecessors, help alleviate suffering instability associated plight. open shelter another nation begun build lives. Nor could make compete 10,200 entries afforded each year 203(a)(7). Such subvert lofty goals whole pattern our legislation. 12 short, hold irrelevant. factors must take determine seeks asylum persecution. correct legal standard requires 'physical (be) alien's refuge,' further reasonably proximate following remote point interrupted intervening constituting termination original refuge.'6 13 203(a)(7)(A)(iii) 'nationals made' concept. place even applicable applying visa, permit part subsection limited. already been visitor. if provision applicable, 'in which' certainly Had course entitled here. Section applies applications officers accept points outside States. 14 Because it erroneous impression 203(a)(7), failed Court's finding respondent is, course, determination set out appropriate standards judicial review. Consequently, judgment remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 15 Reversed remanded. 16 STEWART, whom DOUGLAS, BRENNAN, MARSHALL join, dissenting. 17 March 8, 1966, respondent, resided May 22, filed adjustment pursuant applicants required show: 18 1. 'have continuously physically period least prior status;' 19 2. 'because *;' 20 3. opinion;' 21 4. made. *' 22 'intervening refuge.' An administrative certified held does apply 'to aliens own later contains applicant 'resettled' A appear version law eliminated amendments 1953. reintroduced subsequent enactments. To contrary, cognizant House Senate committees proposal Department State contained 'has S.Rep. 1651, 86th Cong., 2d Sess., 19; H.R.Rep. 1433, 12. Senator Kennedy, Chairman Subcommittee Judiciary Committee, presided hearings '(a)s bill' 'must settled homelands.' 111 Cong.Rec. 24227. statement flatly proposition described 203(a) (7) cannot flight. 24 face unambiguous clear legislative history, today holds firm properly read statute so what considers 'central theme' legislation—'the people.' I doubt enacting homeless. But offers reason believe those others homeland oppression, elsewhere, desire immigrate concluded people should preferred immigrants suffered hardship. demonstrates me exactly accomplish. 25 Whether Attorney General discretion concerning order processed different before us. invoke whatever process turning whose plight thought less pressing.1 Indeed appears many number annually available gone unused.2 26 totally virtue conclude sought. these dissent. 'Without expressing why chose omit finds plaintiff still qualifies Accordingly, erred denying plaintiff's application.' 295 F.Supp. 1370, 1372 (1968). dealt length Circuit's concluding: 'In far Rosenberg disagree Circuit.' 293, 298 person' reference Constitution (IRO) concern organization. ceased IRO nationality establishment. S.Rep.No.950, 80th 68. provided: "Refugee' person neither nor Communist-dominated, persecution, natural calamity military operations usual abode thereto, resettled, urgent need assistance essentials life transportation.' 2(a), 400. mark great change policy. primarily concerned distributing 18,656 originally unissued expired January 1, 1957. report bill states intent: 'It intention committee distribution remainder will equitable manner, prescribed group, according showing hardship, welfare States.' S.Rep.No.1057, 85th 1st 6. Indeed, became promulgated uniformly administered regulations specifically referred 44.1 Definitions. '(f) 'Refugee' CFR (1958), Fed.Reg. 10826 (Dec. 27, 1957). Careful study qualify 'within Specifically excluded Commissioner's competence 'is recognized competent authorities taken having rights attached possession Statute Office Refugees, c. II, par. 7(b), G.A.Res. (V), December 14, 1950. statute, probably fallen British) national, possessed valid identity papers enabling live there. employed approved here exclude successive stages. Certainly escape freedom stages stops along way. necessarily mean refugee's aim reach shores sense abandoned. there either aimed long aim. 'one flight' 'remote six initial express merely remand accord proper standard. 203(c), 1153(c) issued petition behalf General, And Kennedy cases greatest can once.' 1969 Annual Report, 38.

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