Document: 464 U.S. 154 104 S.Ct. 568 78 L.Ed.2d 379 UNITED STATES, Petitionerv.Sergio Elejar MENDOZA. No. 82-849. Argued Nov. 2, 1983. Decided Jan. 10, 1984. Syllabus Respondent, a Filipino national, filed petition for naturalization under the Nationality Act of 1940, as amended, asserting that he had been denied due process law by Government's administration with regard to in Philippines 1945 and 1946 noncitizens who served Armed Forces United States during World War II. The examiner recommended denial petition, but Federal District Court granted without reaching merits respondent's constitutional claim. court held Government was collaterally estopped from litigating issue because an earlier, unappealed decision against case brought other nationals. Appeals affirmed. Held: may not be on such one involved here, adjudicated it earlier lawsuit different party. Pp. 158-164. (a) Under doctrine collateral estoppel, once has decided fact or necessary its judgment, is conclusive subsequent suit based cause action involving party prior litigation. However, nonmutual offensive which nonparty make "offensive" use estoppel suit, limited private litigants does apply Government. 158-159. (b) position identical litigant, both geographic breadth litigation also, most importantly, nature issues litigates, frequently legal questions substantial public importance. A rule allowing would substantially thwart development important freezing first final rendered particular issue, require revision Solicitor General's policy determining when appeal adverse decision, involves consideration variety factors, resources crowded dockets. 159-162. (c) conduct federal courts sufficiently civil those so what might otherwise economy interests underlying broad application are outweighed constraints peculiarly affect 162-163. 672 F.2d 1320 (9th Cir.1982) reversed. Kenneth S. Geller, Washington, D.C., petitioner. Donald L. Ungar, San Francisco, Cal., respondent. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion Court. 1 In 1978 respondent Sergio Mendoza, statute terms expired 32 years earlier.1 Respondent's claim assertion government's him law. Neither nor Ninth Circuit ever reached his claim, they government nationals Northern California. We hold this, therefore reverse judgment Appeals. 2 facts bearing dispute. 1942 Congress passed Act, § 701 provided non-citizens honorably II were exempt some usual requirements nationality. particular, veterans requirement residency within literacy English language. later amendment all petitions seeking come must December 31, 1946. 28, 1945, Pub.L. 79-270, (c), 59 Stat. 658 (1945). Section 702 overseas aliens active service eligible jurisdiction any authorized naturalize aliens. order implement provision, Immigration Naturalization Service 1943 sent representatives abroad alien servicemen. 3 Respondent Mendoza doctor Philippine Commonwealth Army 1941 until discharge Because Japanese occupation made servicemen there impossible before liberation Islands, INS did designate representative 1945. concerns expressed States, however, effect large numbers Filipinos naturalized immigrate just gained their independence, Attorney General subsequently revoked authority representative. Thus naturalizations halted nine-month period late October new appointed August 4 contention deprived violation Fifth Amendment Constitution, present part, all, no there. Mendoza's concluded could relitigate already re 68 Veterans, 406 F.Supp. 931 (N.D.Cal.1975) (hereinafter "68 "), appealed.2 5 Noting conditionally approved this Parklane Hosiery Co. v. Shore, 439 322, 99 645, 58 552 (1979), abused discretion applying case. 1320, 1322 (CA9 1982). rejected argument should litigants. Although acknowledged often national significance where conservation judicial less than "getting second opinion," concerning rights war Id., at 1329-1330. For reasons follow, we agree Hosiery's approval extended States. 6 judicially-developed Montana 440 147, 153, 970, 973, 210 (1979). Collateral like related res judicata,3 serves "relieve parties cost vexation multiple lawsuits, conserve resources, and, preventing inconsistent decisions, encourage reliance adjudication." Allen McCurry, 449 90, 94, 101 411, 66 308 (1980). furtherance policies, recent broadened scope beyond common limits. Ibid. It done abandoning mutuality parties, Blonder-Tongue Laboratories, Inc. University Illinois Foundation, 402 313 91 1434, 28 788 (1971), approving non-party lawsuit. Hosiery, supra.4 7 Standefer 447 24, 100 1999, 2008, 64 689 (1980), emphasized disputes over between noted "[i]n cases, significant harm flows enforcing affords litigant only full fair opportunity litigate [that] sound reason burdening repetitive litigation." Here, supra, whom sought States; unlike Montana, seeks preclude relitigating litigation.5 8 have long recognized "the litigant," Hibi, 414 5, 8, 94 19, 21, 38 (1973) (per curiam), litigates. open serious dispute far greater number cases nationwide basis even litigious entity; 1982, more 75,000 206,193 filings Courts. Administrative Office Courts, Annual Report Director 98 (1982). same year 30% appealed Courts 79, 82. importance; indeed, proscriptions Constitution generally directed governmental action, many can arise context likely lawsuits nonetheless involve issues. 9 issue. Allowing adjudication deprive benefit receives permitting several appeals explore difficult question grants certiorari. See E.I. duPont de Nemours & Train, 430 112, 135 n. 26, 97 965, 978 51 204 (1977); see also Califano Yamasaki, 442 682, 702, 2545, 2558 Indeed, if routinely applied government, revise practice waiting conflict develop granting Sup.Ct.R. 17.1. 10 revision.6 faulted failing now contends erroneous. 1326-1327. But apt differ litigant. Unlike forego believes prevail, considers dockets courts, authorizing appeal. Brief 30-31. force abandon prudential every avoid foreclosing further review. 11 addition institutional traditionally considered General, panoply raised quite properly lead successive Administrations Executive Branch take differing positions respect resolution While course defer Judicial law, former controls progress through courts. idle pretend myriad features, file complaint certiorari review Appeals, wholly mechanical procedure choices whatever. 12 example, recommending 1977 withdrawn, newly Commissioner Castillo commented "would keeping [new] Administration," described "a compassion amnesty." 11. very Administration, reevaluated another careful seek expanding rules undo consequences case; bound principles judicata. 13 endorse routine far-reaching concluded, warrant relitigation. found "record evidence" indicating "crucial need" immigration laws redetermination presented again clear sort satisfied case, pretermit discussion approach; believe standard announced relitigation permitted subjective guidance government. Such leaves sea possibly anticipate, whether will bar By time makes determination cannot relitigated, ruling untimely. 14 hold, therefore, simply way case.7 think our conclusion better allow thorough forums. contrary result disserve whose name advanced requiring virtually exercise judgments unfavorable it. judicata, course, prevents decision,8 point give policies stated. 15 Our holding consistent each holdings called attention, reaffirm. Today companion certain circumstances two same. Stauffer Chemical Co., --- ----, 575, (1983); supra; Moser, 266 236, 45 66, 69 L.Ed. 262 (1924). None effort estop absence mutuality. 16 disapproval part inapplicable present, Chemical, Montana,9 Moser. avoids problem still free future And, same, estopping spares prevailed having relitigate—a function serve circumstances. accordingly wrong Its 17 Reversed. pursuant §§ 701-705 ch. 199, 56 182, added Second Powers 1942, U.S.C. 1001-1005 (1940 ed. Supp. V). ), 701-702 Act. Fifty-three veterans, designated Category become expiration statutory provisions. Like claimed failure station entire available them discriminated class. Rejecting arguments curiam controlling, nonjusticiable, petitioners protected constitution strict scrutiny petitioners' offered sufficient justification conduct. F.Supp., 940-951. initially docketed motion withdraw November 30, 1977. after taken office. Eventually orders so-called petitioners, exception withdrawal Filipinos. 11-12 13; Olegario 629 204, 214 (CA2 1980), cert. denied, 450 980, 1513, 67 814 (1981). withdrew bars claims privies action. (1979); 326 649 Restatement Judgments speaks judicata "claim preclusion" "issue preclusion." (Second) 27 Offensive occurs plaintiff foreclose defendant previously litigated unsuccessfully Defensive prevent U.S., 4, S.Ct., 4. constitutionality Montana's gross receipts tax contractors construction firms. That state individual contractor totally financed controlled 151, 155, 972, 974; 9, infra. delegated discretionary determine CFR 0.20(b) base "unmixed law" arising "successive unrelated subject matter." 162, 978; Co.; 242, 67. depends exception. Nevada 103 2906, 77 509 (1983), class claimants adjudication, id., 2925, obtained unique comprehensive water intended settle how much Truckee River entitled to." initial challenge court, raising challenge. state-court action; thus practical purposes, cases. "The 'laboring oar' litigation," 974 constituted "party" technical sense.

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