Legal Document

404 U.S. 293 92 Supreme Court Reporter 471 30 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 457 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.Dimas CAMPOS-SERRANO. Number 70—46. Argued Oct. 14, 1971. Decided Dec. 20, Syllabus Possession of counterfeit alien registration receipt card held not an act punishable under 18 Code KF62 § 1546, which prohibits, inter alia, the counterfeiting or alternation of, possession, use, already counterfeited altered 'immigrant nonimmigrant visa, permit, other document required for entry into States.' The primary purpose is identification within States, and its merely permissible re-entry function Immigration Naturalization Service regulation does suffice to bring coverage statute. There a separate statutory provision specifically protecting integrity cards, indicating that Congress did intend them be covered by more general language 1546. Pp. 295—301. 430 Federal Reporter, 2nd 173, affirmed. William Bradford Reynolds, Dept. Justice, Washington, D.C., petitioner, pro hac vice, special leave Court. John Judge Cleary, San Diego, Cal., repsondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion 1 respondent was convicted in federal district court possession violation 1546,1 sentenced three-year prison term.2 Appeals reversed conviction, holding because circumstances Government agents had acquired from respondent, it been unconstitutionally admitted against him at trial Miranda versus Arizona, 384 436, 86 1602, 16 694. We granted certiorari. 401 936, 91 926, 28 215. do reach constitutional issue, however, we have concluded judgment must affirmed upon discrete ground. See Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 297 288, 347, 56 466, 483, 80 L.Ed. 688 (Brandeis, J., concurring).3 hold 1546.4 2 question This offense originated Section 22(a) Act 1924,5 only 'immigration visa permit.' words 'other States,' were added 1952 as part Immigrant Nationality Act. 402(a), 66 Statutes-at-Large 275. legislative history Act, make clear 'other' documents mind.6 3 Alien cards first issued 1941. They are small, simple containing alien's picture basic information.7 no whatsoever facilitating initial States. Rather, they after has entered country taken up residence. Their essential effectuate requirement all resident aliens established Registration 1940.8 4 Until 1952, could even used facilitate who left temporarily. Such obtain authorizing his country, such permit.9 However, 1952—less than month before final enactment Act—the promulgated allowed use their purposes substitute specialized documents.10 apparent reason this minimize paper work streamline administrative procedures giving option using serving purposes. Thus, may now lieu permit on condition holder returning temporary absence one year.11 5 limited, permissible, sufficient 'document States' F.2d, 175. cannot agree. It long settled 'penal statutes construed strictly,' Communications commission American Broadcasting Co., 347 284, 296, 74 593, 601, 98 699, 'is subjected penalty unless statute plainly impose it,' Keppel Tiffin Savings Bank, 197 356, 362, 25 443, 445, 49 790. '(W)hen choice made between two readings what conduct crime, appropriate, choose harsher alternative, require should spoken definite.' Universal C.I.T. Credit Corp., 344 218, 221—222, 73 227, 229, 97 260. In speak 'clear definite' language. But, literally given plain ordinary meaning, criminal card. certain persons entry. 6 canon strict construction statutes, course, 'does mean every narrowest possible meaning complete disregard legislature.' Bramblett, 348 503, 510, 75 504, 508, 99 594. If absolutely literal reading irreconcilably war with congressional purpose, less considered. spirit, read 1546 conjunction 8 1101(a)(13)—another Act—which provides that, most circumstances, 'entry' defined include 're-entry.' past these terms entirely synonymously. Rosenberg Fleuti, 374 449, 83 1804, 10 1000. But clearly significant overlap, say usable some Nor applies those 'required' order enter country. To so would undermine behind since presentation any particular exclusive crossing our borders. 7 While underlying thus seem bar uncompromisingly construction, precise deprived force. principle demands determinate limits based actual Accordingly, Service, time time, decides presented border. denotes very class documents—documents whose raison d'e tre facilitation phrase, 'required descriptive nature documents; simply open-ended reference future regulations. If, example, allow driver's license border, suddenly change fall category sure, if secure bearer prosecuted 1325, punishment '(a)ny . obtains willfully false misleading representation ..' mere license, far essentially document. lawfully drive car, bearer's assumed related policies 9 same analysis Its but identify registered residing he residence intended govern activities presence convenient, additional reentry alien. unlike permit,12 serves secondary way. Unlike not, nature, conclusively supported section's context. regarded distinct served pure documents. Although, substitutes visas permits, chose deal separately. 1306(c) 1306(d), provided 'who procures attempts procure himself another person through fraud' counterfeits fact rely ensure indicates believe section. Moreover, there specific overlap 1306. Both sections explicitly prohibit counterfeiting, both fraud acquisition documents.13 Unless assume 1306 surplusage, conclude covers documents, 1306.14 11 For reasons 12 Affirmed. 13 BLACKMUN, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE WHITE join, dissenting. 14 today affirms 'upon ground' questions respect certiorari granted.1 ground rejected District when denied defense motion dismiss indictment. also Appeals. 175—176. & N Decisions reject here. 15 issue retreats whether holds, somewhat surprise litigants am document, Campos-Serrano's indictment, therefore, charged feel conclusion support either history, certainly practice, effect, Nation's * parent 1924. 43 165. That refer 'any immigrant today. Instead, spoke Nevertheless, definition 'permit' narrower statute, included wished period year.2 Clearly, scheme, back 1924, contemplated knowing useful reentering felony. 17 came being Title III 1940, 54 673. At complied requirements. 1940 authorized 'border-crossing card' enable return travel contiguous An INS filed May 29, card, September 10, 1946, 'shall constitute border effecting visited foreign territory Canada Mexico. Fed.Reg. 4921—4922. such, recognized recognized. Five years later expanded nations contiguous. 22 6377 (1957). continued present time. Regulations 211.1(b) (1971). 19 addition itself expanded. 1924 repealed 1948 simultaneously re-enacted without year's recodification laws. 62 771, 865. Finally, amended form 402(a) 1952. 20 room dispute broaden, contract, number prohibition immigration permit' obviously lesser still current entry.' Rodriguez, 182 F.Supp. 479, 484 n. (SD Cal.1960), rev'd grounds, sub nom. Rocha 288 545 (CA9), cert. denied, 366 948, 81 1902, 1241 (1961). From until legislation, nevertheless solely re-entry. Surely nothing suggests intent thenceforth confine initial-entry Indeed, contrary, is, enlarge evident statute's but, well, 101(a)(13), 167, 1101(a)(13): 21 'The term means coming port place outlying voluntarily otherwise, except (Emphasis supplied.) inevitably follows phrase entry' embraces One kind card.3 23 brief seems me, reveals proves Form I—151, became specified accepted 24 Court's opinion, it, accept this, distinction 're-entry,' Ante, 298. Having broad and, sensible Court, then reverses direction conveniently restricts 'a country,' accuses standing gain 'an regulations' prevail me. comparison context wide mark. A immigration. everything statutes. §§ 1301—1306. And almost decades II 26 overlapping 1306(d) prevent application card.4 266(d) 226. card,' whereas reference. sections, different relate aspects Act's chapter concerned 'Registration Aliens.' implementation protection scheme. reached alone. hand, restricted counterfeiting. reaches alternation. 27 exclusion leaves free alteration knowledge character. loophole.5 therefore dissent affirmance 'discrete ground.' decide decided go anticipated petition applicable portion reads follows: 'Whoever knowingly forges, counterfeits, alters, falsely makes utters, uses, possesses, obtains, accepts, receives forged, counterfeited, altered, made, procured claim statement, otherwise unlawful obtained .. 'Shall fined $2,000 imprisoned five years, both.' sentence suspended, placed probation three 'on Mexico illegally.' Pursuant sentence, remanded custody deportation udner previous order. appears out render case moot. He subject conditions imposed Should violate conditions, will imprisonment continuing sentence. Eisler 338 189, 69 1453, 93 1897, irrelevant case. There, petitioner fled successfully resisted extradition. We, declined consider merits case, just over cases party seeking review escaped 'from restraints pursuant conviction.' Molinaro New Jersey, 396 365, 366, 90 498, 586; Bonahan Nebraska, 125 692, 1390, 31 854; Smith 94 97, 32. 'While escape strip character adjudicable controversy, disentitles (the party) call resources determination claims.' supra, U.S., S.Ct., 498. contrast, conviction. living pass although properly record, disposed of.' Accord, Fernandez-Gonzalez (64 CR 101, ND Ill.) (unpublished opinion). Contrary suggestion dissenting decision hardly come 'surprise' parties. argued fully briefed H.R.Rep.No.1365, 82d Cong., Sess.; S.Rep.No.1137, H.R.Conf.Rep.No.2096, Sess. reports mention changes H.R.Rep.No.1365. stated 'necessary amendments (are made) laws Most conforming changes.' Id., 88. likely new border-crossing 1940. 12, infra. H.R.Rep.No.1365 published, 're-entry' function. Appendix contains reproduction I—151 Service. provisions contained Provision permits 158. documents—a card—in 4921. 1957, noncontiguous nations. 6377. 211.1(b). Visas supra. Border-crossing like sole regulate national Hence, likelihood expand see 6, supports holding. expansion mandated paragraph 1, third 'Whoever, applying admission personates another, name deceased individual, evades evade appearing fictitious disclosing true identity "(A) ought, whole, can prevented, clause, word shall superfluous, void, insignificant." Market company Hoffman, 101 112, 115—116, 782. Jarecki G. D. Searle 367 303, 307—308, 1579, 1582, 859. partial, goes farther 1306—prohibiting well thought necessary create all, believed '1. Whether below unduly extended 694, holding, facts give warnings asking produce '2. record' request irrespective 'in custody." Pet. Certiorari 2. Sections 28(k) 169 face bears recital, 'This honored passport rightful year laws.' Overlapping unknown. See, Sansone 380 343, 85 1004, 882 (1965); Gore 357 386, 78 1280, 1405 (1958); Achilli 353 373, 77 995, 918 (1957); Prince 352 322, 403, 370 Spies 317 492, 63 364, 87 418 (1943). loophole closed assert. 1325 concerns offense, namely, misuse obtaining relates potential gaining

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