Legal Document

435 U.S. 1 98 Supreme Court Reporter 906 55 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 65 Joseph Atlantic CALIFANO, Jr., Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfarev.Cesar GAUTIER TORRES. Welfare versus Carmelo BRACERO COLON et al. Nos. 77-88, 77-126. Feb. 27, 1978. PER CURIAM. Certain benefits under the Social Security Act, as amended in 1972, are payable only to residents States, defined 50 District Columbia. The for Puerto Rico held these cases that this geographic limitation is unconstitutional applied persons who upon moving lost which they were entitled while residing States. Welfare, responsible administration has appealed.1 2 * One 1972 amendments Act created a uniform program, known Supplemental Income (SSI) aid qualified aged, blind, disabled persons. 86 Statutes-at-Large 1465, 42 Code KF62 § 1381 seq. (1970 ed., Supp. V). This federally administered program replaced federal-state programs Old Age Assistance, 49 620, 301 seq.; Aid Blind, 645, 1201 Disabled, 64 555, 1351 Aged, 3 exclusion apparent definitional section. Section 1611(f) set forth 1382(f) V), states no individual eligible during any month he or she outside defines "the States" Columbia." 1614(e), 1382c(e) repeal pre-existing did not apply Rico. Thus receive SSI benefits, but programs.2 4 Appellee Torres received Connecticut; discontinued when moved Similarly, appellees Colon Vega Massachusetts New Jersey, respectively, them on Rico.3 5 filed complaint claiming from was unconstitutional, three-judge court convened adjudicate suit. Viewing limitations law an interference with constitutional right Columbia travel, searched compelling governmental interest justify such interference. Finding none, §§ 1614(e) Torres. Mathews, 426 F.Supp. 1106.4 Soon after decision, also sued Court. Relying single judge enjoined Administration discontinuing their basis change residency Rico.5 II 6 In Shapiro Thompson, 394 618, 89 1322, 22 600 (1969), Memorial Hospital Maricopa County, 415 250, 94 1076, 39 306 (1974), laws prohibiting newly arrived State county receiving same vital other unconstitutionally burdened interstate travel. As said Hospital, travel must be seen insuring new privileges migrate enjoyed by residents." Id., at 261, 1084. 7 present altogether transposed proposition. It Constitution requires person travels given superior those if newcomer came. never embraces doctrine, we decline do so now.6 Such doctrine would equal force might provide its residents, require continue pay b nefits indefinitely had once resided there. And broader implications areas substantive bid fair destroy independent power each our enact uniformly applicable all residents. 8 If there ever could case where one another invoke came corollary his surely it. For deal here attack providing payments monetary benefits. statute "is strong presumption constitutionality." Mathews De Castro, 429 181, 185, 97 431, 434, 389 (1976). "So long judgments rational, invidious, legislature's efforts tackle problems poor needy subject straitjacket." Jefferson Hackney, 406 535, 546, 92 1724, 1731, 32 285 (1972). See Califano Jobst, 434 47, 53-54, 95, 99-100, 54 228; Goldfarb, 430 199, 210, 1021, 1028, 51 270 (1977); Helvering Davis, 619, 640, 57 904, 908, 81 L.Ed. 1307 (1937).7 9 reversed. 10 So ordered. 11 Mr. Justice BRENNAN affirm. 12 MARSHALL note probable jurisdiction oral argument. Court's based 28 1252. significantly larger. record does show whether relied protection component Due Process Clause Fifth Amendment attacking program. Acceptance claim have meant otherwise just before But apparently acknowledged Congress treat differently, every federal extended relationship "that parallel history." Examining Board Flores de Otero, 572, 596, 96 2264, 2278, Cf. Balzac Porto Rico, 258 298, 343, 66 627 (1922); Dorr 195 138, 24 808, 128 (1904); Downes Bidwell, 182 244, 21 770, 45 1088 (1901). Leibowitz, Applicability Federal Law Commonwealth 56 Geo.L.J. 219 (1967); Hector, Rico: Colony Commonwealth?, N.Y.U.J. international L. & Pol. 115 (1973). opinion unreported. virtually unqualified. Guest, 383 745, 757-758, 1170, 1177-1178, 16 239 (1966); Griffin Breckenridge, 403 88, 105-106, 91 1790, 1799-1800, 29 338 (1971). By contrast "right" been considered more than aspect "liberty" protected Amendment. Kent Dulles, 357 116, 125, 78 1113, 1118, 1204 (1958); Aptheker State, 378 500, 505-506, 84 1659, 1663, 992 (1964). such, "right," held, can regulated within bounds due process. Zemel Rusk, 381 1, 85 1271, 14 179 (1965). purposes may assume unqualified between Union. At least three reasons advanced explain First, because unique tax status contribute public treasury. Second, cost including extremely great—an estimated $300 million per year. Third, inclusion seriously disrupt Rican economy. Department Report Undersecretary's Advisory Group Guam Virgin Islands (Oct. 1976).

Classification Label: 1