Document: 356 U.S. 691 78 S.Ct. 976 2 L.Ed.2d 1087 Frank BONETTI, Petitioner,v.William P. ROGERS, Attorney General of the United States, et al. No. 94. Argued April 7, 1958. Decided June 2, Mr. Joseph Forer, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Roger Fisher, respondents. Justice WHITTAKER delivered opinion Court. 1 This is a deportation case. It presents narrow and vexing problem statutory construction. The principal question here which, if less than all, several entries this country by alien petitioner was 'the time entering States,' within meaning § 4(a) Anarchist Act October 16, 1918,1 as amended 22 Internal Security 1950. 64 Stat. 1008. facts are clear undisputed. Petitioner, an who born in France Italian parentage, admitted to States permanent residence on November 1, 1923, at age 15. He became member Communist Party Los Angeles 1932 remained end 1936, when he voluntarily ceased paying dues left Party. never rejoined it. On 28, 1937, departed States—abandoning all rights here—and went Spain fight with Spanish Republican Army.2 fought that army one year, wounded action suffered loss his foot. September 19, 1938, came new or 'quota immigrant,' applied admission residence. detained Ellis Island. A hearing held Board Special Inquiry issue admissibility. At freely had been Angeles, California, from go Army. ordered him excluded, but its order reversed administrative appeal, 8, 'for quota immigrant.' has since continuously resided (California), except one-day visit Tiajuana, Mexico, 1939. '(A)t States' not, not been, 3 In 1951, proceedings were instituted deport under §§ 1918, 1950, 'alien after entry into States.' After hearing, disclosing above recited, officer deported, Immigration Appeals affirmed. 4 Petitioner then brought District Court Columbia against respondent, praying be set aside. Respondent moved summary judgment. district judge sustained motion dismissed complaint. appeal Appeals, finding petitioner's first admittedly through affirmed 99 U.S.App.D.C. 386, 240 F.2d 624. We granted certiorari. 355 901, 328, 258. 5 parties agree past membership did make excludable 'at nor when, re-entered 1939.3 6 Section 1918,4 1950,5 deals subject exclusion aliens provides, pertinent part, follows: 7 '(Sec. 1) That any following classes shall excluded States: 8 '(1) * *; 9 '(2) Aliens who, time, have members classes: 10 '(A) 11 '(B) 12 '(C) *. 13 '(H) *.' (Emphasis added.) 14 and, provides: 15 'Any thereafter enumerated section 1(2) Act, shall, upon warrant General, taken custody deported manner provided February 5, 1917. provisions applicable mentioned irrespective their States.'6 16 sense two sections, case, this: Any thereafter, 17 contends it made adjudication date admissible 'as immigrant residence'—not 1923—that constitutes 4(a); inasmuch then, deportable section. Respondent, other hand, applies 'entry petitioner, including 1936 before departing from, abandoning reside in, 18 To decide presented necessary examine construe statutes involved. seems plain reference 'classes 1(2)' incorporates only subsections (A) (H),7 those which class '(C),' namely, 'Aliens There being no about fact whether entry—as affected, re-entry returning resident trip Mexico 1939—or constituted (his) 4(a), If latter deportable, former not. 19 obvious Congress enacting these contemplate novel factual situation confronts us, are, say least, ambiguous we must now decide. Our study problem, light us conclusions: phrase 4(a)—'Any States'—necessarily refers time' adjudicated lawful admission, 1939, claims right remain. next phrase—' thereafter'—necessarily times subsequent such admission. Thus phrases, read together, refer particular lawfully permitted status presence sought annulled deportation, thereto. Inasmuch respondent does seek annul acquired entry, hold 1938—as 1939—constituted 4(a). Since thereafter,' including, course, 20 different context said word 'includes coming foreign one.' ex rel. Volpe v. Smith, 289 422, 425, 53 665, 667, 77 L.Ed. 1298.8 While holding quite correct, apposite controlling, 1923 entry. Admittedly did. Rather, our present depends. circumstances think evident could abandoned involve abandonment. 21 Of become would Galvan Press, 347 522, 74 737, 98 911. But party thereafter.' Likewise, 27, 1952, 212(a)(28)(C)(iv) Nationality 1952. 66 182, U.S.C. 1182(a)(28)(C)(iv), U.S.C.A. 1182(a)(28)(C)(iv). Government argues construction adopt enable alien, Party, avoid cause simply quitting stepping across border returning. leaves period, however brief, return, nevertheless current exclusionary laws, present, excludes ever supra. enters excludable, even though country.9 Hence, involved evade laws leaving brief return or, enters, deportable. returned 1939 laws. lawful, can support conclusion 23 Though application presented, believe interpretation them fair reasonable cloudy will permit rare 'When Judiciary task imputing undeclared will, ambiguity should resolved favor lenity. And out sentimental consideration, want sympathy purpose proscribing evil anti-social conduct. may fairly presupposition law resolve doubts imposition harsher punishment.' Bell 349 81, 83, 75 620, 622, 905. cannot 'assume meant trench (an alien's) freedom beyond required narrowest possible meanings words used.' Fong Haw Tan Phelan, 333 6, 10, 68 374, 376, 92 433. Cf. Barber Gonzales, 637, 642—643, 822, 825, 826, 1009; Delgadillo Carmichael, 332 388, 391, 12, 17. 24 As deportation. Petitioner's thereafter—including 1939—a judgment reason. 25 Reversed. 26 CLARK, whom FRANKFURTER HARLAN concur, dissenting. 27 entered time. From 1937 Civil War. year later, again admitted. exclude 28 1950 passed early Alien Registration 1940, 54 670, 673, provided, explained Senate Committee Judiciary, 'that (a proscribed class) (for matter how short far so long entry), deported.' S.Rep. 1796, 76th Cong., 3d Sess. 3. stated, 'The strengthen existing respect subversive aliens.' 2230, 81st 2d 5. report further declared, '(T)he inescapable movement movement. severance connection destruction life line communism becomes immigration problem.' Id., 16. Additional ceased.' 23. applying entry—including well last demanded legislative history. See also 84 Cong.Rec. 10448—10449 (remarks Representative Hobbs), 86 8343 Senator Connally). retroactively regardless 1954, simple test, therefore, many made. arrival language thereafter' clearly makes him. 29 today Court, effect, writes 'last' statute. result member. cripples effectiveness permitting escape solely because they happen leave re-enter country. conceded restricts literal States. 30 innovation contrary decades uninterrupted practice, prior cases Naturalization Service always construed 'entry' States.1 recognized considering H.R.Rep. 1365, 82d 32; 1137, 4.2 however, side-steps authority saying here' preclude consideration 'petitioner entry.' question. True, claim 1938 dependent regular immigrant' Nevertheless, 'thereafter' while number additional entries—in otherwise—cannot wipe fact. 31 1933, 1298, alien's criminal conviction occurred 'prior entry' 39 889. contended meaning, 'first entry,' argument rejected. said, 'An examination 1917, think, reveals nothing sufficient indicate intend ordinary meaning.' page 667. Claussen Day, 1929, 279 398, 49 354, 73 758. converse 'entering' modified 'last entering.' I amend statute disregard uniform judicial, legislative, history whereby definitive, technical gloss, wit, more less. Therefore, affirm Appeals. 40 1012, amended, 41 1008, 137, 1182(a)(27—29), 1251(a)(6). stated felt Franco tool Mussolini Hitler, Rome-Berlin Axis stopped 'they until world war start.' provision reason enacted (64 1006), ground re-entered, Note 1. Although both repealed 403(a)(16) 1952 (66 163, 279), sections apply case saving clause (§ 405(a)) 1101 note, issued effective Act. Berrebi Crossman, Cir., 208 498, Klig Brownell (dissenting opinion), 100 294, 299, 300, 244 742, 747—748 (certiorari granted, 809, 15, 28; vacated remanded directions dismiss moot, sub nom. Rogers, 605, 532, 525). Lewis Frick, 233 291, 34 488, 58 967; 758; Stapf Corsi, 287 129, 40, 215. Shaughnessy Mezei, 345 206, 625, 97 956; 1298; 215; Lapina Williams, 232 78, 196, 515; Chae Chan Ping 130 581, 623, 32 1068. For comprehensive review regard aliens, see Lowenstein, Law, 206—213. directly here, significant codified 101(a)(13) 'any port place outlying possession 167, 1101(a)(13), 1101(a) (13).

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