Document: 364 U.S. 350 81 S.Ct. 147 5 L.Ed.2d 120 Peter CHAUNT, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 22. Argued Oct. 17, 1960. Decided Nov. 14, Mr. Joseph Forer, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Maurice A. Roberts, respondent. Opinion of the Court by Justice DOUGLAS, announced HARLAN. 1 Petitioner, a native Hungary, was admitted to citizenship decree District in 1940. Respondent filed complaint revoke and set aside that order as authorized § 340(a) Immigration Nationality Act 1952, 66 Stat. 260, amended, 68 1232, 8 U.S.C. 1451(a), U.S.C.A. on ground it had been procured 'by concealment material fact or willful misrepresentation.'1 The stated petitioner falsely denied membership Communist Party virtue he lacked requisite attachment Constitution, etc., intent renounce foreign allegiance. It also alleged his naturalization concealing misrepresenting record arrests. cancelled petitioner's naturalization, finding concealed misrepresented three matters—his arrests, Party, Appeals affirmed, reaching only question 9 Cir., 270 F.2d 179. case is here writ certiorari. 362 901, 80 610, 4 554. 2 One question, form filled out connection with petition asked if ever 'arrested charged violation any law United States State city ordinance traffic regulation' so give full particulars. To this answered 'no.' There evidence when questioned under oath an examiner gave same answer. answer has 'yes,' investigative unit Immgration Service would check authorities at places where arrests occurred 'to ascertain * whether facts were stated.' 3 found from 10 11 years before naturalized arrested times follows: (1) On July 30, 1929, distributing handbills New Haven, Connecticut, ordinance. He pleaded not guilty discharged. (2) December 21, violating park regulations making 'an oration, harangue, other public demonstration Haven Green, outside churches.' Petitioner guilty. Disposition charge clear, notation court reading 'Found J.S.' which respondent suggests may mean 'Judgment Suspended' after guilt. 6 (3) March 11, 1930, again time 'General Breach Peace.' City fined $25. took appeal records show 'nolled April 7, 1930.' 7 Acquisition American solemn affair. Full truthful response all relevant questions required procedure is, course, be exacted, temporizing truth must vigorously discouraged. Failure frank, honest, unequivocal answers one seeks serious matter. Complete replies are essential qualifications applicant lack them ascertained. Suppressed facts, known, might themselves justify denial citizenship. Or disclosure true have led discovery hand, view grave consequences citizen, decrees lightly indeed 'clear, unequivocal, convincing' leave 'the issue doubt.' Schneiderman v. States, 320 118, 125, 158, 63 1333, 1336, 1352, 87 L.Ed. 1796; Baumgartner 322 665, 670, 64 1240, 1243, 88 1525. these cases important liberty citizen weight normally given concurrent findings two lower courts does preclude reconsideration here, we deal 'judgments lying close opinion regarding whole nature our government duties immunities citizenship.' supra, 671, 1244. And see Klapprott 335 601, 612 (concurring opinion) 617, 69 384, 389, 391, 93 266. While properly reflections character man seeking statute force 'he behaved person good moral character, attached principles Constitution well disposed happiness States' during previous five years.2 These made some prior critical five-year period. They did not, moreover, involve turpitude within meaning law. Cf. Jordan De George, 341 223, 71 703, 95 886. No fraudulent conduct charged. involved handbills, speech, breach peace. In instance discharged, prosecution 'nolled,' (for speech regulations) apparently received suspended sentence. totality circumstances surrounding offenses makes extremely slight consequence. Had they acts directed Government, even peripherally touched types activity disqualify citizenship, different presented. crimes charged, disposition do bring them, inherently, requirement illegally Act. argued, however, 1929 1930 investigation leads evidence—more than arrests—might obtained. His residence February November 1930. Since period more name employer prepared Service. now said, disclosed investigated, discovered 'a district organizer' Connecticut. witness denaturalization proceeding testified such fact. An arrest, though no means probative guilt wrongdoing, sufficiently significant episode man's life often least further enquiry. We minimize importance disclosure. case, base materiality tenuous line communistic affiliations, matter application employee member International Workers' Order, said controlled Party. argues since IWO organization dominated reasonable infer those affiliations application. But token seem much less speculative nexus such, thereby available deemed appropriate time. Anastasio, 226 912. become tainted control until 1941. read differently. If Government's out, taint extended back far 1939. application, failure report greater significance. could then forcefully argued disclose part parcel project conceal affiliation. record, occurring previously neutral. speculate why disclosed. conclude that, Government failed either suppressed which, warranted their useful possibly leading warranting issues reach passed upon Appeals. Accordingly judgment will reversed cause remanded raised considered. ordered. 12 Judgment remanded. 13 CLARK, whom WHITTAKER STEWART join, dissenting. 14 swore never arrest separate occasions eight-month street, demonstration' 'general peace.' Both falsification 'was intentional misrepresentation foreclosed Naturalization *.' (270 182.) findings, disputed. nowhere suggested, example, falsehoods result inadvertence forgetfulness—that anything but deliberate lies. This Court, brushes ground1 'were Swiss philosopher Amiel tells us 'character historical fruit biography.' Petitioner's past, truthfully told odorous one. So bad dared reveal it. For reward dishonesty nothing short open invitation false swearing who seek high privilege 15 first says nature, procured.' knows applicable test deliberately falsified papers thus investigation. basis reversal, therefore, misses point should consequence here. 16 itself, through prompted answer, justified falsification, misleading examining officer, forestalled resulted defeat naturalization. Courts Appeal without disagreement point2 necessary rule prevent misrepresentations very purpose forestalling inquiry eligibility. highly pertinent satisfactory sine qua non shut off fraud court. majority statutory behavior, Concealment act officer clearly relates general character. Indeed, Congress long felony punishable imprisonment maximum years. Certainly fall class peccadilloes overlooked being 'reflections strips offender civil rights leaves shattered presidential pardon can mend. 17 concludes 'neutral' because revealed preliminary Workers adds, 'is Party.' What fails sole evidence, Order presented 1955, deception examiner. knew about what him. there whatever indicated I.W.O. prompt investigate time? final employed 'Fraternal Benefit Society Internation (sic) Order,' lead believe insurance society. Surely charging dereliction admitting knowing connected organization. testimony trial indicates take over leadership 1941,3 year naturalized. remember Attorney General list subversive 1947, although lists organizations issued date. 18 As I supports below. Even truth, causing relate present fitness follow awarded. checking harangue park, peace investigator discover was, 1940, leader think logical investigation, 1940 revelation entitled honest sought admission its exact highest standards probity applicants. valuable right. prized eagerly millions not. asking little enough vested privileges demand tell truth. 19 affirm. section provides part: 'It shall duty attorneys respective districts, affidavit showing therefor, institute proceedings specified subsection (a) 310 title (§ 1421 U.S.C.) judicial reside bringing suit, revoking setting cancelling certificate misrepresentation, revocation canceling effective original date certificate, respectively Section June 29, 1906, 34 598, 45 1513—1514, 1427(a). '(t)he consequence.' However, overlooks neither content nor conviction appears record. Time served well, too clear. extrapolate solely meager smacks psychic. Moreover, say 'did turpitude' gratuitous. held. Corrado 227 780, certiorari denied, 351 925, 76 781, 100 1455; Montalbano, 236 757, sub nom. Genovese 352 952, 77 327, 244; Lumantes, D.C.N.D.Cal., 139 F.Supp. 574, affirmed per curiam, 232 216; Stacher 258 112, 358 907, 79 232, 228; Accardo, D.C.D.N.J., 113 783, 208 632, 347 74 677, 98 1098. Sweet, D.C.E.D.Mich. 106 634, 635, 211 348 817, 75 28, 99 644. 'in 1941 number sent into political strength guidance organization.'

Category: 1