Document: 338 U.S. 537 70 S.Ct. 309 94 L.Ed. 317 UNITED STATES ex rel. KNAUFFv.SHAUGHNESSY. No. 54. Argued Dec. 5, 1949. Decided Jan. 16, 1950. Mr. Gunther Jacobson, New York City, for petitioner. Philip R. Monahan, Washington, D.C., respondent. [Argument of Counsel from page 538 intentionally omitted] Justice MINTON delivered the opinion Court. 1 May United States exclude without hearing, solely upon a finding by Attorney General that her admission would be prejudicial to interests States, alien wife citizen who had served honorably in armed forces during World War II? The District Court, Southern held it could, and Court Appeals Second Circuit affirmed. 173 F.2d 599. We granted certiorari examine question especially light Brides Act December 28, 1945, 8 U.S.C.A. § 232 et seq., 336 966, 69 941. 2 Petitioner was born Germany 1915. She left went Czechoslovakia Hitler regime. There she married divorced. England 1939 as refugee. Thereafter with Royal Air Force efficiently January 1, 1943, until 30, 1946. then secured civilian employment Department Germany. Her work rated 'very good' 'excellent.' On February 1948, permission Commanding at Frankfurt, Germany, Kurt W. Knauff, naturalized States. He is an discharged Army veteran II. is, he time his marriage, employee 3 August 14, petitioner sought enter naturalized. day temporarily excluded detained Ellis Island. October 6, Assistant Commissioner Immigration Naturalization recommended permanently hearing on ground same adopted this recommendation entered final order exclusion. To test right security reasons, habeas corpus proceedings were instituted York, based primarily provisions Act. dismissed writ, 4 authority exclusion aliens flows June 21, 1941, amending 22, 1918, 55 Stat. 252, 22 U.S.C. 223, 223.1 By 1941 amendment provided President might, required it, impose additional restrictions prohibitions entry into departure eprsons national emergency proclaimed 27, 1941. Pursuant Congress November issued Proclamation 2523, 1696, CFR, 1943 Cum.Supp., 270—272. This proclamation recited imposition persons country authorized promulgation regulations jointly Secretary State General. It also no should permitted if found such interest States.2 5 '(a) For any depart or attempt except under reasonable rules, regulations, orders, subject limitations exceptions shall prescribe * *.' 6 governing emergency. Subparagraphs (a) (k) 175.53 these specified classes whose deemed public interest. Subparagraph (b) 175.57 might deny before board inquiry special cases where determined excludable basis information confidential nature, disclosure which interest.3 7 regulation 175.57(b) denied hearing. are asked pass validity action. At outset we wish point out seeks may not do so claim right. Admission privilege sovereign Government. Such only terms prescribe. must exercised accordance procedure provides. Nishimura Ekiu v. 142 651, 659, 12 336, 338, 35 1146; Fong Yue Ting 149 698, 711, 13 1016, 1021, 37 905. 9 contends thereunder void extent they contain unconstitutional delegations legislative power. But there inappropriate delegation power involved here. fundamental act sovereignty. stems alone but inherent executive control foreign affairs nation. Curtiss-Wright Export Corp., 299 304, 57 216, 81 255; 713, 1022, When prescribes concerning admissibility aliens, dealing implementing 10 Thus decision admit lawfully placed President, turn delegate carrying function responsible officer sovereign, action conclusive. Whatever rule deportation have gained within province court, unless expressly law, review determination political branch Government given alien. 659-660, 713-714, 905; Ludecke Watkins, 335 160, 68 1429, 92 1881. Cf. Yamataya Fisher, 189 86, 101, 23 611, 614, 47 721. Normally supplies conditions because department broad authorize exercise power, e.g., done here, best Executive officers entrusted duty specifying procedures congressional intent. What said Lichter 334 742, 785, 1294, 1316, 1694, equally appropriate here: 11 'It necessary supply administrative officials specific formula their guidance field flexibility adaptation policy infinitely variable constitute essence program. Standards prescribed read applied. 'They derive much meaningful content purpose Act, its factual background statutory context appear." due process far concerned. supra; supra. In particular circumstances instant case General, exercising discretion him concluded matter because, judgment, itself endanger security. find substantial merit petitioner's contention 'reasonable' think them period authorized, namely, Nor can agree assertion see note 2, supra, State, aliens. See Presidential 2850 17, 1949, 14 Fed.Reg. 5173, clarifying 2523. reiterate here privilege. vested could prohibition against retroactive operation affecting status. disputed General's pursuant CFR heretofore discussed.4 However, §§ 223,5 authorizes when war existence 2487, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix preceding section 1.6 ordinary times has 152, 153, 153. And entitled purposes comes, terminated cessation hostilities.7 applicable portions set margin,8 discloses intent cease apply brides hostilities. 15 provides II 7, termination nothing acted authorized. beginning end defined assume, ascertaining citizens spouses children benefits followed actual hostilities entire never been terminated. Indeed, state still exists. Woods Cloyd Miller Co., 333 138, Note 3, 421, 422, 596. Thus, remains force. President's proclamations part immigration laws. 16 does relieve thus overcome relieved certain physical, mental, documentary requirements quota must, requires, 'otherwise admissible laws'. other words, aside enumerated relaxations laws treated seeking admission. Under all emergency, retry 171—172, 1434—1435, 17 history9 indicate Congress, partially suspending compliance laws, relax indication intended permit members former marry bring acting through performance sworn duty, reasons. As stand failed meet. legal defect manner exclusion, judgment 18 Affirmed. 19 DOUGLAS CLARK took consideration case. 20 FRANKFURTER, dissenting. 21 If construction thought beneath views expressed JACKSON, I fully concur, enforce Congress. contrary conclusion substantially frustrates it. Seventy years ago began excluding mentally defective Thirty became our settled even most desirable system. so-called made inroads both deeply-rooted policies. 59 seq. lifted bar 'physically aliens.' did favor 'alien minor serving II.' H.R.Rep.No.1320 S.Rep.No.860, 79th Cong., 1st Sess. (1945). bounty afforded become American country. gave though physically person thereby added population Yet suggested deepest tie soldier form secretly severed mere say-so official, however well-intentioned. Although five minutes cross-examination enable soldier-husband dissipate seemingly convincing danger wife, opportunity need accorded. this, literal reading provision spouse, defective, allowed join husband 'if otherwise Upon phrase rested whole structure 40 559, amended regarding summary finds inimical interest.1 24 way legislation. true Acts 'The letter Killeth.' Legislation decimating spirit inexorable. reminded enacting legislation engaged scientific takes account every contingency. Its i dotted t crossed. derived dominant regard society places family. assumed bountiful hand arbitrarily taken away. framing passing preoccupied opening door wives acquired husbands service lands. opened essentials—wives soldiers perchance mothers run gauntlet determining physical mental condition, nonquota immigrants. ought appear require incur greater hazards informer's tale refutation, since considerations security, insofar pertinent, amply protected camera. Compare Rule 46 Rules Practice Admiralty Courts II, 316 717; 328 882, Haydock, Some Evidentiary Problems Posed Atomic Energy Security Requirements, 61 Harv.L.Rev. 468, 482—83 (1948). An alien's course grant withhold. crux problem us whether having extended benefit husband, wide open ruthlessly take away what gave. 25 A permitting fiat—in nature things high functionary largely dossiers prepared others—in claiming own one thing. construe quite another Had spoken explicitly bow contradiction beneficence heart attributed elaborate implication. Especially avoided charges obviously harsh purpose. Due body policies makes singularly construing heedful admonition killeth.' 26 whom BLACK FRANKFURTER join, 27 constitutional authorities back gates class abrupt brutal 28 promise liberalized brides, unto themselves men services abroad, forth Court's opinion, indicates. petitioning remained employee. Our military abroad marriage. vigilant security-conscious intelligence service. woman employed European Command record blemish, highly praised superiors. marriage approved Frankfurt-on-Main. 29 Now told cannot will why. abandon bride live forsake bride. 30 So court writ corpus, tire citing Europe unanswerable evidence free permits arbitrary official detention. tells why girl excluded. says treatment and, get reasons say legal; requires 31 like liberty many crimes committed name. menace country, great may, girl's compared institutions pattern. name police justifies oppressions secret, prejudiced brought hearings. plea guilt secret abhorrent men, cloak malevolent, misinformed, meddlesome, corrupt play role informer undetected uncorrected. re Oliver, 257, 268, 499, 505, 682. 32 am sure sense full belief lawful doubt which, stood trial, justify know test. anyway, before, personal confidence excuse judge sanctioning dangerously wrong principle. Dissent Bowles 319 33, 37, 63 912, 914, 87 1194. 33 use more explicit language than yet cited break up family force keep becoming exile. Likewise, serious misconduct notice charges, chance meet 34 direct either produce justifying Mrs. Knauff 'When whenever exists between, among, two states, addition those imposed make thereof, shall, ordered unlawful— '(3) After effective date rules hereinafter possession valid unexpired designated exempted obtaining concurrence hereby execution orders. 'No appears satisfaction hereinbefore General.' 271. 'In categories 175.53, after reported directed representative. appeal determines interest.' 1945 Supp., 175.57(b). material 2714 31, 1946, U.S.C.A.Appendix, 601 note, 1946 77. 'That notwithstanding several clauses 1917, thereunder, in, honorable discharge certificate application three admitted *. 'Sec. 2. Regardless 1924, immigrant 4(a) 1924. 5. commenced ceased declared joint resolution Congress.' 232—236, 232—236. H.R.Rep. 1320, (1945); S.Rep. 860, 91 Cong.Rec. 11738, 12342 satisfies him, lock bosom satisfy him. C.F.R. (1949).

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