Document: 351 U.S. 91 76 S.Ct. 671 100 L.Ed. 964 UNITED STATES of America, Petitioner,v.Ettore ZUCCA, also known as Mario Sarni, Ettore Sarni Zucca. No. 213. Argued Jan. 24, 25, 1956. Decided April 30, Mr.J. F. Bishop, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Mr. Orrin G. Judd, New York City, respondent. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is a denaturalization proceeding under § 340(a) Immigration and Nationality Act 1952.1 The sole question whether makes filing 'affidavit showing good cause' prerequisite to maintenance suit. District Court held that it does ordered complaint dismissed unless Government filed an affidavit cause within 60 days. As this was not done, without prejudice Government's right institute action denaturalize respondent upon affidavit. 125 F.Supp. 551. On appeal by Appeals Second Circuit affirmed, adopting 221 F.2d 805. We granted certiorari, 350 817, 72, because asserted conflict with decisions Seventh2 Ninth3 Circuits importance in administration immigration naturalization laws. 2 Respondent Zucca naturalized on January 4, 1944. In 1954, United States Attorney Southern York, 340(a), verified his seeking revocation respondent's grounds illegality, concealment material facts, willful misrepresentation. 3 alleged respondent, at hearing petition naturalization, had falsely sworn 'that he did belong associated any organization which teaches or advocates overthrow existing government country * *,' 'intention faith become citizen renounce absolutely forever all allegiance fidelity (foreign powers) been 'attached principles Constitution well disposed order happiness States.' followed general allegation membership Communist Party 'other organizations affiliated controlled from 1925 1947,' equally allegations procured misrepresentation concealed facts relating otherwise swore intentions beliefs. pleader concluded 'good exists institution suit *.' complaint, no part information belief, Assistant Attorney. When sought take depositions Attorney, met opposition denying personal knowledge.4 then motion dismiss ground, inter alia, required requirement complied with. stated above, ground. 4 argues reading statute its legislative history leads conclusion maintaining proceedings 340(a). do agree. 5 provision we are here concerned first appeared 15 June 29, 1906.5 Without substantial change, carried forward laws 19406 1952,7 currently follows: 6 'Sec. 340. (a) It shall be duty district attorneys respective districts, therefor, court specified subsection section 310 title judicial may reside time bringing suit, purpose revoking setting aside admitting such person citizenship canceling certificate ground were fact misrepresentation, (Emphasis added.) 7 Were obliged rely solely wording statute, would have difficulty reaching altered consideration highly speculative suggestions meaning history. contrary, think entirely consistent Court's statement Bindczyck v. Finucane, 342 76, 83, 72 130, 134, 96 100, Congress acted '(w)ith view protecting against fraud while safeguarding abrogation except clearly defined procedure 8 natural language used procedural case, 338(a) 1940, predecessor sets forth exclusive denaturalization.8 Despite decision, us hold now grant power maintain suits found Attorneys prosecute civil actions concerned,9 merely imposes 'additional act, alone their own knowledge judgment, but basis furnished private citizens.' effect only when brought citizen. need decide ever file complaint. short answer case laid expressly 9 While arguing words 340 limitation discretion apparently concedes venue notice provisions Section generally applicable proceedings. Its argument overlooks same sentence. If proceeded citizen, restricted defendant's residence. could accept limiting construction very clear meant something other than what said. 10 original 1906 culmination many years study commission General leading spirit Chairman. Shortly after enactment, rendered Secretary Commerce Labor 'necessary give attorney authority cancellation certificate.'10 circumstances, contemporaneous officer charged enforcement entitled great weight. Fawcus Machine Co. States, 282 375, 378, 51 144, 145, 75 397; Norwegian Nitrogen Products 288 294, 315, 53 350, 358, 77 796. Over period years, however, there has some among circuits concerning requirement.11 relies particularly our affirmance decision Ninth Schwinn 311 616, 61 70, 85 390. decided illegal procurement. Although necessity considered below failure offer proof support furnished, presented Court.12 11 Prior practice Department seems cause. contend abandoned practice. claims so chooses, appears portions memorandum attention.13 unimpressed reasoning memorandum. public interest served taking liberties specific statutory designed protection citizens. And fail see burden Government. At Term, represented usual that, 'if sufficient shown, (see prepared executed, forwarded aid formal *.'14 12 Lastly contends, alternate reversal, harm done defendant itself and, therefore, accomplishes function With cannot modern practice, allege ultimate must set evidentiary matters citizenship.15 13 supra, summed up approach 14 '(W)e escape detailed procurement appearing face record, formulated self-contained, procedure. procedure, insisted detailed, explicit 15. '* if ws granted, attacks based evidence outside through prescribed congressional scheme, providing carefully representation before safeguarded attacking decree covers whole Every national thereby protected.' page 84, 134. 16 concededly proceedings, thereunder. 17 mere results serious consequences defendant. Even cancelled, reputation tarnished standing community damaged. recognized danger provided person, once admitted American citizenship, should subject legal defend preliminary Such safeguard lightly regarded. believe cases cases, must, initiation correctly judgment therefore affirmed. 18 Affirmed. 19 HARLAN took case. 20 CLARK, whom REED MINTON join, dissenting. 21 ruling today seriously obstructs type reverses long line lower federal courts1 disregards administrative over thirty standing, includes two recodifications Furthermore, identical point present earlier where important enough Court.2 22 unpublished, informal, somewhat ambiguous inter-departmental letter written 1907. might proud views given lasting effect, undoubtedly surprised learn informal overrule later thirty-year, firmly established position Justice. Many witness often little weight drawn opinions questions interpretation. 23 But my major objection extreme placed this. construes require more verified; 'true' sources records office.' Thus supported jurat notary who office virtue oath carry out official duties fairly impartially. No Schneiderman 320 118, 63 1333, 87 1796. 24 lied alien registration examination testimony examiner 1952. He 'he government.' alleges 'was member including Workers 1947.' Under 305 1940,* continues, Zucca's illegal. 25 majority declares these insufficient. vague reference pleading 'ultimate citizenship.' From I can draw one conclusion. means furnish statements persons having intended courts second-hand investigators *.'3 Apparently neither nor anyone Service FBI make facts. limit verification officers prior undisclosed criminal convictions, arrival age controlling, etc. 26 substantially different conditions prevail. Invariably, proved members attendance meetings, payment dues, There cards none decade. evidential methods proof—the identity undercover agents—must disclosed affidavit, choose between foregoing drying source brought. common law witnesses affidavit-shy, involving subversion. Often, obtained compulsory process. difficulties requiring exposure overwhelming decisive type. 27 rule. To me unambiguous. plain 'upon therefor.' Here charges certainly constitute cause.' petitioner 1947 prima facie obvious 340(a)—to reduce possibility spurious proceedings—is fully statement. 28 Nor intend trials issues cases. affidavits implies, extensive testing sufficiency trial. thus chances comparable indictment prosecution, Costello 359, 406. withdraw privilege wrongfully obtained. always cross-examination authorizes additional Before trial proceeding, bill particulars each signing scope reliability made inquiry.4 proves stage, go trial, again. way thinking, frustrates program, broader protect infiltration. 29 requires factual show denaturalization. most Naturalization familiar oath. paper headed 'Affidavit' contained separate blue backing, objection, though nothing gained technical labeling. read goes much further this, submerge morass unintended difficulties. 66 Stat. 163, 260, amended, 68 1232, U.S.C. (Supp. II) 1451(a), U.S.C.A. 1451(a). Tuteur, Cir., 215 415. 112 74, affirmed per curiam, 'George C. Mantzoros, being duly sworn, deposes says 'That staff J. Edward Lumbard, charge above-entitled files turned him use preparation herein prospective witness. belief superior, said Lumbard likewise reviewed finds therein indicate special unusual circumstances production documents requested depositions, dated July 8, 1954. privileged confidential nature.' R. 8. 34 596, 601. 54 1137, 1158. holding, 1940 overrode local rules limitations state reopen judgments, abrogated 340(j) 1952, 262. underlying philosophy remains intact. 507(a)(2), 507(a)(2). Letter Bonaparte, March 26, 1907 (unpublished, National Archives), cited contemporary treatise statute. Van Dyne, Law (1907), 138. reproduced p. 50 Brief States. Courts Third, Fifth, Columbia taken adopted Richmond, 28; Salomon, 231 928; Cohen 38 App.D.C. 123. Seventh favored contrary position. 415; 390; Knight, D.C.Mont., 291 129, 299 571; Leles, 227 189. occasions occasion suggesting essential step proceeding. See Johannessen 225 227, 242, 32 613, 617, 56 1066; 159, note 54, 1353, 'As indicated 'IV. Pre-Trial Procedure,' probably obtain government's proper utilization discovery Rules 16, 33, (Fed.Rules Civ.Proc. U.S.C.A.). It, advisable outset reasonable amount chance employed, avoid ensuing delay. seem rather place recite evidence. 'In event evidence, recommended recited briefly nature relied upon. recitation ordinary employed likelihood oppose particulars. hand, complete provide names possibly phrased disclose identity. Similarly, disadvantageous identify instruments writings, increase demand Rule 34. substance writings quoting them. aver leadership German-American Bund un-American organizations, refusal military service, propaganda activities, 'If believed undesirable attach serve defendant, discussed instance constituting action.' Circular 3663, Dept. Justice, Supp. 9, 6, 1943 (mimeographed), 87, printed supplemental Minker, 179, 281 (No. 35, October 1955), 928. Collins, D.C.S.D.N.Y., 131 545; Shinkevich, D.C.E.D.Pa., 547; Jerome, 115 818; Lustig, 110 806; Schuchhardt, D.C.N.D.Ind., 48 876; D.C.N.D.Cal., 189, 236 784; Radzie, F.R.D. 151; Vavorito, D.C.N.D.Ohio, 152. 'jurisdictional,' passed merits. certiorari summarily 'on ground' illegally procured. S.Ct 1796, merits length, even 'affidavit' Inspector revealed based, here, files, exactly form here. judge 1952 Revision, 1424. held, 'But, afforded impaired examine test trial.'

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