Legal Document

359 U.S. 102 79 Supreme Court Reporter 637 3 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 662 TAK SHAN FONG, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. Number 110. Argued Feb. 24, 1959. Decided March 23, Mr. William baron Mahoney, for petitioner. John Federal KF105 F3 Davis, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioner, a native and citizen China, seeks naturalization pursuant to provisions an Act Congress, passed in 1953, designed facilitate aliens who served our armed forces during general period Korean hostilities.1 The statute provides serving at least 90 days after June 1950, not later than July 1, 1955: 2 '(1) having been lawfully admitted permanent residence, or (2) States, physically present within single one year time entering Armed Forces * *.' Petitioner first entered on August 1951, Honolulu seaman's 29-day pass, departed from country with his ship. On January 27, 1952, petitioner again Newport News, where vessel which he was employed then touching. exact circumstances this entry are disputed, but it is conceded all sides that unlawful. did depart ship, remained States. He apprehended deportation proceedings were commenced against him; halted when became known May 4, had inducted into Army. honorably until discharge 3, 1955, December 22, instituted based we have referred.2 District granted petition naturalization, Appeals reversed. 254 Reporter, 2nd 4. We certiorari. 358 811, 30, 55. 4 Congress has shown varying degrees liberality granting special rights various times. For example, Immigration Nationality 1952 allows such those World War & N Dec. Decisions September 1939, 31, 1946, if their induction enlistment they simply certain named outlying territories.3 other hand, Act's provision allowing three years' service any be naturalized fee residence requirements4 no exemption requirement 'lawfully residence.'5 must examine extent made these available here, aimed hostilities. contends that, under clause (2), year's presence entitles him them theretofore country. relies lawful admittance brief stay 1951 as providing this. Government means whereby alien country, accordingly irrelevant. agreement Government's view statute. 5 While perhaps verbal construction can implying connection between required re-required presence, think only fair natural words implied. As distinguished its policy toward II service, prepared allow Korea while physically, length unlawfully, Nor make alone condition; also imposed admittance. It would meaningful attribute could satisfied presence. before unconnected commencement believe referring last presence—the provided occasion Cf. Bonetti versus Rogers, 356 691, 78 976, 1087. Under construction, requires 'single period' commencing admission continuing thereafter. does demand alien's status lawful, gives rise 6 Such legislative history relevant meaning bears out construction. First Session Eighty-third bill brought House floor Committee consideration Session,6 member reporting stated identical law existed 'the war' (presumably II)7 exception applied 'legally States.' 99 Cong.Rec. 2639. This read context Report's statement 'lawful admission' prerequisite bill's benefits, explanation rejected proposal Department entrance services lawful. felt should saddled technicalities involved continuance (lawful) Forces.' H.R.Rep. 223, 83d Cong., 1st Sess., Page physical service;8 Senate inserted requirement,9 do perceive change distinction set forth above. To us, indicates desired consequence admission, even though beyond terms admitted. true state nexus positively 1932 veterans' urges us comparison, 'resided continuously two years, pursuance legal residence.'10 § 25, 1932, chapter 203, 47 Statutes-at-Large 165. But, explained, wish imply here language might done so. find fact used apt draw lines indicated 7 Of course, receptive purpose implicit legislation sort, express gratitude render defense. But warrant rationalizing ambiguity fairly considered none exists, extending generosity past limits willing go. rendered inspire relief behalf; take stands, judgment correct. 8 Affirmed. 9 CHIEF JUSTICE, BLACK, DOUGLAS dissent. 162, 67 108, U.S.C.(Supp. V) 1440a, Code Annotated KF65 U5 1440a. petitions filed 1955. 329, 66 250, KF62 1440, 1440. See note 7, infra. 328, 249, 1439, 1439. 318, 244, 1429, 1429. 1953 explicitly exempts qualify requirements 318. There activity direction Eighty-second passed. 1176, 82d Sess.; S.Rep. 1713, Sess. actually effect 701 1940, added by Title X Second Powers Act, 1942, 56 182. admittance, substantially dispensed through amendment 1944, 662, 58 886. extended 'any person, citizen, who, actively serves, honorably, periods totaling less 30 shall area 378, alternative now found (1), introduced Senate. 10 relates filing petition, rather difference affect comparison asserted.

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