Document: 349 U.S. 280 75 S.Ct. 746 99 L.Ed. 1074 Edward J. SHAUGHNESSY, District Director of Immigration and Naturalization Service, New York District, Department Justice, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES ex rel. Joseph ACCARDI. No. 616. Argued April 22, 1955. Decided May 23, Mr. Marvin E. Frankel, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Jack Wasserman, respondent. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion Court. 1 We are called upon in this case to remove ambiguities from a previous which, while clear enough trial court, appears have conveyed triplicity meaning Court Appeals. A year ago Accardi was here contestng dismissal his habeas corpus petition which he attacked refusal Board Appeals grant application suspension deportation. United States v. Shaughnessy, 1954, 347 260, 74 499, 98 681. The sole foundation claim that 'the Attorney General (is doing) precisely what regulations forbid him do: dictating Board's decision.'* at page 267, 503. remanded court hearing on question alleged failure exercise its own discretion, contrary existing valid regulations.' It information belief had prepared prior decision 'a list one hundred individuals whose deportation sought * *' as 'unsavory characters'; Accardi's name among group; 'list circulated by all employees connected with Service Appeals' result 'since time it has been impossible (Accardi) secure fair consideration case.' concludd that, if could prove not exercised discretion matter, should receive new before without burden proscription list.' 2 On remand, Court, after full hearing, found members 'reached their individual collective merits, free any dictation or suggestion again dismissed writ. reversed, judge dissenting, 219 F.2d 77, 80. based conclusion ground 'Attorney General's statements (had) unconsciously influence(d) so they felt obliged and, doing so, decide against Accardi.' chief concurring result, thought our merely required 'that there alleged, it, fact known Board.' dissenting judge, other hand, read 'no more than (Accardi's) allegations sufficiently charged 'dictation' General,' entitling 'whether denial discretionary relief represented untrammelled dictated General.' Page 90. He concluded finding clearly erroneous. agree both interpretation facts case. 3 recognized entitled another majority only knew 'list' but were affected it. However, position judgment list' incredible. find nothing incredible uncontradicted testimony produced through number witnesses including members. record shows no list, such, hence Board; fanfare publicity complained connection 'deportation program'; program never publicly related until decision; member covered program, two others Chairman such knowledge fifth asserted 'may (of inclusion program) couldn't say'; person ever directly indirectly approached matter. seems us fully supports Court's decisions undictated each member. Among eight who gave concerning General. testified list; investigation 'indicated racketeer is reason (he) moved deport him'; 'never discussed matter (Board).' In face evidence, we do believe speculation effect subconscious psychological pressures provides sufficient justification rejecting 4 emphasizes court's notice therein. This 'notice,' most, given calendar clerk certain cases might be expedited. furnished undisputed. 5 failed 6 Accordingly, reversed affirmed. 7 Reversed remanded. 8 HARLAN took part 9 BLACK, whom FRANKFURTER joins, dissenting. 10 There disagreement meant former holding surprising view ambiguity language best. gives different some respects narrower I would. think deprives right first guaranteed far possible under law—an opportunity rights determined tribunal already made up mind anonymous information. Consideration basic issue requires extensive reference necessary give. cannot fairly broad legal generalizations interpreting opinion. If means indicates then prejudgment passed on. 11 Accardi, born Italy, came country 1932, when 21 years old. entered Canada, intending remain permanently. But immigration visa. Under law deportable alien. Proceedings begun 1947. married 1949 child. His wife child depend support. Because original illegal entry, ordered deported. 12 basis controversy order § 19(c) Act 1917.1 That section circumstances 'may' suspend an alien proof good moral character preceding five years. does require hold hearings, make findings cases. properly promulgated provide held those law. words, can deny hearings prescribed Congress itself. And explained opinion, now aliens like obtain 'decisions three separate administrative levels below General—hearing officer, commissioner, Appeals.' 266, 502. appointed removed whenever pleases. 13 considered denying favorable null void, violated due process set aside. grounds were: (1) 'was pre-judged October 2, 1952,' six months finally acted suspension; (2) widely publicized about plan subordinates An exhibit attached showed 1952, hopes strip citizenship 100 foreign-born racketeers them' these racketeers. Other exhibits April, 1953, announced action taken 'under current denaturalization Brownell top subversives.' proceedings refused permit offer evidence prejudged give trial. summarily Appeals, Cir., 206 897. controversy. 14 When reached said follows: 15 'The alleges included petitioner confidential characters' wanted deported; public announcements revealed did regard listing mere preliminary deportation; contrary, listed persons 'planned deport.' And, intention quite fact, Assistant characterized proscribed deportees.' To sure, allege aliens.' would naive expect heavy-handed way things.' 16 Pointing out sufficient' went say 17 'If allegation list. After recall cancellation must rule thereof arriving independent accord right. Of course may unable Court; try.' 268, 504. 18 proved beyond peradventure 'prejudge' alleged. justify relief. crucial theory establish itself 'dictated to' recommendation discretion. my unwarranted narrowing issues raised. today accept scope holding. Given narrow scope, fell short deciding actually presented decided if, said, right.' 19 final analysis, statute Due regulations, however, longer arbitrarily hearings. impartial board established prerequisite Failure await therefore violation very authority long undisputed Hon. James P. McGranery 1952. planned selected aliens. Shortly thereafter statement arrest named step aimed ridding Nation undesirable engaged racketeering criminal activities.' accurately reflected program. also 'Joseph earliest submitted, appeal *. him, satisfaction, racketeer. why put there.' testifying beginning 'I conference early administration John Edgar Hoover. asked prepare me, combing records, names subversive activities subject deportation, undesirables *.' carry 'progress report' submitted every day day. defined because received FBI, 'moved him.' continued particular begun. 3, issued press release announcing 'Accardi, Jersey racketeer, native Sicily, brother Samuel pending Federal Newark.' Later speech referred 'undesirable,' so-called 'nationally hoodlums objects program.' 20 significant 'racketeer,' 'considered character.' Moreover, show 'racketeer.' establishes evidently Judge Frank suggested characterizing confused someone else. However be, leaves doubt office 'racketeer' characterization although character. deprived benefit prescribes. For reasons affirmed sent back directions Whatever meant, go off untrammeled despite did. rests almost entirely themselves influenced deem bad practice officers, acting quasi-judicial capacity, probe mental processes led them sanctions here. desirable probing minds judges try fathom prompt decisions. Morgan, 313 409, 421—422, 61 999, 1004, 85 1429. 22 members' state been, publications placed completely will, judicial agency be. Copies newspaper interviews speeches Attorneys assistant, appear record, proclaim strong desire purpose large group stripped deported country. Board. distinguishes between Secretary kind, well-publicized various political gatherings, hardly expected permeate working Washington. Orders proclamations General, head Department, little influence Department. true intended 'expedite' subordinates, according occupied most prominent place Department's activities. Daily reports men carried They outstanding ability aggressiveness. So addition showing departmental emphasis makes oblivious great interest deporting appeared 'proscribed 'program' 'statistical data' variously termed government witnesses. requirement justice satisfied resist plain implications 23 inevitablity happen deportees' rather strongly indicated granted allowing effort barred relief, Government refers four specific cases, thus reach third allowed leave voluntarily instead being forcibly otherwise been. fourth recommend suspended. picture. officer recommended alien's immediate investigated suspension. derelict developing 'important derogatory information' relieved duty disciplinary him.2 At instance Government's brief points out, rehearing still pending. Thus point single 24 requires. use bodies agencies seriously weakened these. adhere spirit cancellation' ordered.3 repudiated kind system demands. Jackson, joined thus: 'We (that the) validity order) impeached (the General) overinfluenced staff event advisory.' U.S., 270, 62 Stat. 1206, U.S.C. 155(c), U.S.C.A. 1254(a)(1, 2). contained dated 6, 1955, supplemental brief. denied release. said: '10. few days Supreme down, instructions but, case, judgment. '11. released custody unless, within reasonable time, Board, instructions, holds renders Although character, else same name.' 83.

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