Document: 356 U.S. 660 78 S.Ct. 955 2 L.Ed.2d 1048 Stanislaw NOWAK, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 72. Argued Jan. 28, 1958. Decided May 26, Mr. Ernest Goodman, Detroit, Mich., for petitioner. J. F. Bishop, Washington, D.C., the United States. Justice HARLAN, delivered opinion Court. 1 In 1913, at age 10 years, petitioner was brought to States as an immigrant from Poland. June 1938 District Court Eastern Michigan entered its order admitting him citizenship. More than 14 years later, in December 1952, this suit under § 338(a) Nationality Act 19401 set aside naturalization decree, alleging that Nowak had obtained his citizenship both fraudulently and illegally. The Government filed with complaint 'affidavit showing good cause,' required by 338(a). After a trial granted relief requested on grounds (1) making false answer question Preliminary Form Petition Naturalization, July 1937; (2) illegally citizenship, period five preceding he not been 'attached principles Constitution * *,' 4 1906,2 which naturalized. 133 F.Supp. 191. Appeals affirmed, 238 F.2d 282, we certiorari. 353 922, 77 679, 719. For reasons given hereafter decide judgment below must be reversed. 1. 'Good Cause' Affidavit.—Petitioner, relying v. Zucca, 351 91, 76 671, 100 L.Ed. 964, contends lacked jurisdiction over proceeding because Government's affidavit 'good cause' defective, it made one having personal knowledge matters contained therein. This contention rejected. affiant attorney Immigration Naturalization Service who swore allegations were based upon facts disclosed official records access. substance forth same Court's later decree denaturalization based, showed adequate particularity rested. Sworn responsible Service, consider satisfied purpose protect those proceeded against ill-considered action. See supra, pages 99—100, page 676. 3 2. Fraudulent Procurement.—The finding fraud here Nowak's Question 28 above-mentioned preliminary form, read: '28. Are you believer anarchy? Do belong or are associated any organization teaches advocates anarchy overthrow existing government country? *' 5 placed 'No' after each part question. courts ruled should have answered 'Yes' second 1937, when form executed, member Communist Party; Party taught 'the government'; (3) aware teaching. Accordingly charge fraudulent procurement sustained. 6 Where is stake carries heavy burden proving case "clear, unequivocal, convincing' evidence does leave issue doubt' *.' Schneiderman States, 320 118, 158, 63 1333, 1352, 87 1796. 'Especially so attack long time certificate citizen has meanwhile met obligations committed no act lawlessness.' Id., 122 123, 1335. also Baumgartner 322 665, 675, 64 1240, 1245, 88 1525. And such becomes our duty scrutinize record utmost care. Cf. Dennis 341 494, 516, 71 857, 870, 95 1137; Yates 354 298, 328, 1064, 1081, 1356. 7 Applying strict standard Schneiderman, rule proved: first, face sufficiently clear warrant firm conclusion 1937 known called disclosure membership nonanarchistic organizations advocating violent and, more particularly, second, even if taken calling organizations, claims, evidence, connection illegal procurement, insufficient establish knew engaged advocacy. We deal first these here. 8 No claim untruthful. whether, could reasonably read inquiring solely about anarchistic organization, contends, unambiguously either government. 9 think interpreted two- pronged inquiry relating simply anarchy. Its refers part, direct series begins 'anarchy,' then 'overthrow.' It true two terms used disjunctive, but, regard maxim ejusdem generis, do can parsing sentence according rules syntax. references 'anarchy' make implausible totality Especially borne mind during communism much less public consciousness recent when, accordingly, there reason individuals believe questionnaires seeking information membership.3 fact 1906, issued, prohibited anarchists, but Communists, becoming American citizens, see 34 Stat. 596, 597, 598, accentuates highly doubtful meaning hold too ambiguous sustain petitioner's it. 3. Illegal Procurement.—As case, undertook prove Nowak, naturalization, 'attached' advocated force violence. adequately proved pertinent five-year period. But assuming advocacy sufficient, 319—322, 1077—1078, that, despite doubts expressed 136, 154, 1342, 1350, lack 'attachment' method, nevertheless cannot prevail record. established Party's 11 active functionary itself suffice vital link chain proof. generally supra; cf. 329—330, 1082. Nor crucial awareness aspects program attendance 'closed' meetings, disputed alleged concealment membership. Virtually only testimony bearing directly state related three statements attributed former members Party. One testified meeting joined 1935 stated would necessary 'destroy' capitalism up workers' A rely entirely ballot gain objectives, 'but eventually resolve bullets.' third summer while lecturing school, said control labor unions through elections, 'then may use violence get it,' goal all activity extend Soviet system around earth.' 12 number fragmentary episodes providing reliable support case. On their equivocal. Read context, they merely expression opinions predictions future events, rather action 157—158, 1352; 1077—1078. reveals instances addressing himself political action, designed strengthen movement, union organizer. At point show ever overthrow, understood end. addition, leaves us distinct impression quite uncertain, 17 19 event. Indeed, some elicited persistent prodding counsel Government.4 13 Under proof judged, shows best standpoint out Congress 1940 did holding office ground loss conclude failed charges 'clear, cases. therefore need other contentions pressed reversed remanded further proceedings conformity opinion. 15 Reversed. 16 BURTON, CLARK, WHITTAKER, dissenting. dissenting opinion, 660, 963. 54 1137, 1158: 'It shall district attorneys respective districts, cause therefor, institute revoking setting person canceling procured.' U.S.C.A. 1451(a). Paragraph Act, amended, U.S.C. (1934 ed.) 382, provides alien admitted unless immediately application resided continuously within least 'he behaved moral character, attached well disposed happiness States.' 1427. introduced tending actually argues requisite understanding imputed 'an important Party, intelligent man,' prior deportation exclusion statutes applied aliens 'who anarchists; advocate forms law.' October 16, 1918, 40 1012, 1182. gap filled tenuous fashion, especially view provisions 1906 referred text. witness Eager example this: cell composed Auto Workers, attended several meetings together, asked what meetings. Eager's reply was, 'He gave outline plant, little aggressive expected anywhere time. couldn't depend ballots country; militant leadership shops, stores factories mines expect America.' (Transcript, pp. 315—316.) During course examination times private conversation. His answers always types. Sometimes substantially repeated account; example, '(Nowak) policy various take union.' p. 321.) Or else pleaded able remember said; 'I can't recall exact words meeting, ago.' 322.) ended, lengthy cross-examination, returned theme redirect concerning role play replied, 'Only extent plants.' 375.) objection matter gone into 'ten examination,' recognized previously asked, permitted answer. said, 'Well, I four times.' When add anything, submitted heavily relied here, 'The thing saying night, slightly different, guess, yet militancy told objectives bullets, workers plants we, leaders, 379.)

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