Legal Document

374 U.S. 469 83 Supreme Court Reporter 1819 10 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1013 Jose Maria GASTELUM-QUINONES, Petitioner,v.Robert Federal KF105 F3 KENNEDY, Attorney General of the (two cases). Nos. 39, 293. Argued March 19, 1963. Decided June 17, David Rein, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Bruce Judge Terris, respondent. Mr. Justice GOLDBERG delivered opinion Court. 1 This case, stripped its procedural complexities, raises question whether an alien long resident in this country is deportable because, a period during 1949 and 1950, he paid dues to attended several meetings club Communist Party Los Angeles. The Immigration Naturalization Service sought obtained order petitioner's deportation on ground that these facts established membership within meaning § 241(a)(6)(C) Nationality Act 1952, 66 Statutes-at-Large 163, 204—205, 8 Code KF62 1251(a)(6)(C).1 Whether was so turns application two decisions which construed immediate predecessor 241(a) (6)(c,), 22 Internal Security 64 987, 1006, 1008. In Galvan versus Press, 347 522, 528, 74 737, 741, 98 L.Ed. 911, it held deportability 'aware joining organization known as operates distinct active political * *,' Rowoldt Perfetto, 355 115, 120, 78 180, 183, 2 140, held, elaboration Galvan, must have had 'meaningful association' with be deportable. evidence record, standards set sorth applied, all elicited at hearings before Service's special inquiry officer 1956. consists solely testimony government witnesses, petitioner having chosen introduce no evidence. entered against February 28, 1957. Board Appeals dismissed appeal November 14, 1957, record his voluntary Party. A few weeks later, decided supra, asked reconsider decision light case. denied application, pointing out stood still supported order. It did, however, reopening proceedings might chance offer rebuttal thereby bring himself, possibly, framework decision. 3 At reopened hearing, counsel took position Government failed establish sense contemplated by decision, therefore chose not further also offered additional reaffirmed previous May 18, 1959, appeal. Petitioner thereupon filed action District review That court granted Government's motion summary judgment action. Columbia Circuit Affirmed dismissal, Gastelum-Quinones Rogers, 109 U.S.App.D.C. 267, 286 Reporter, 2nd 824, petition certiorari, 365 871, 81 902, 5 861. 4 read Appeals' suggesting 241(a)(6) (C) would applied him if introduced personally advocated forcible overthrow Government.2 He moved hearing permit did advocate violent Government. heard oral argument and, August 1, 1961, it. then brought present Court, praying ordered reopen agents enjoined from enforcing outstanding preliminary injunction latter effect requested. summarily affirmed denial September 13. certiorari injunctive relief, THE CHIEF JUSTICE stayed until should disposed of. Meanwhile, merits complaint, dismissed, disposition 23, 1962. judgment. We both petitions. 371 860, 9 98. Number 39 involves injunction, 293 relates ultimate dismissal complaint merits. 6 determining whether, us, has fulfilled burden proving 'member' 241(a)(6)(C), we recognize outset what history times amply demonstrates,3 some Americans joined without understanding nature entity. well other reflects there great practical legal difference between those who firmly attach themselves being aware aims purposes attributed it, temporarily join Party, knowing nothing international relationships believing group trying remedy unsatisfactory social or economic conditions, carry trade-union objectives, eliminate racial discrimination, combat unemployment, alleviate distress poverty.4 Although specifically recognized 741 'support, even demonstrated knowledge, Party's advocacy violence intended prerequisite deportation,' condition alien's awareness 'distinct political' ibid. This, together requirement enunciated Rowoldt, 183 led declare later 'had difficulty interpreting 'membership' more than mere listing person's name rolls.' Scales States, 367 203, 222, 1469, 1483, 782. 7 operation practice wise distinction illustrated think case analogous facts. sole Rowoldt's statement inspector Service, course admitted but said indicated been while member organization.' Frankfurter, speaking concluded '(f)rom own 1947, is, dominating impulse 'affiliation' may wholly devoid any 'political' implications.' U.S., S.Ct., 183. too insubstantial support deportation. same true here. witnesses establishes only either late 1948 early end 1950 1951 dues-paying Angeles, about 15 club, one executive meeting group, area convention. One witness, Scarletto, testified Angeles 1947 'under supervision F.B.I.' date recall, thought 1949, Scarletto assigned El Sereno Club, 'was large divisions (of Party) split up later.' There were 'approximately 32 members Club time,' press director club. 'a months' when into smaller units security reasons.' During months, testified, saw time. Since attendance restricted members, inferred next assigned, time Mexican Concentration which, unit States. Petitioner, said, put new group. shortly became secretary job among things, gave duty collecting dues, collected left 1951, transferred 'to underground.' weekly. 'just went once awhile, regular member.' Over approximately two-year Scarletto's 'most' meetings, 'about 15' meetings. All couple' these, members. members' homes, recall home himself never home. remember ever 'an official position' Club. Finally, conventions regularity, recalled seeing such capacity, know capacity attended, except attendance. 11 Elorriaga, he, too, 1947. He, meet 'known Forty-Fifth Concentration,' apparently entity 'Mexican Club' discussed Scarletto. Elorriaga Elorriaga's frequency contradictory. After direct examination three four month, radically revised estimate day redirect say meetings' total, adding 'I another (petitioner).'5 over-all lack precision answers questions concerning suggested comparison assertion 'because its) meetings,' immediately following admission remembered 12 contained thus extremely demonstrating 'meaningful' character association directly, showing was, membership, sensible organization, indirectly, engaged activities degree substantially supporting inference aspect.6 sense, indeed, less substantial although stated thinking aim get something eat people,' 117, 182 worked salesman bookstore outlet communist literature,' id., 118, showed philosophy tactics response questioning immigration inspector. Bearing mind cases Government, apparent here, insufficient order.7 13 As slimness introduced, seeks benefit inference, based upon failure produce elicit proof 'more (his) Scales, 1482. sufficient answer point that, 530, 742, drastic sanction, can destroy lives disrupt families, holding premised directly probative silence.8 Moreover, fact knowledge qualitative If shows, could likely given testimony, activities, tended prove awareness. With perhaps near hand, possibility consistent finding harshness cannot sustain bare us derived sometime 14 are hence confronted establishing meaningful 241(a)(6)(C). To paraphrase 183: affiliation implications. hold evidence, Universal Camera Corporation National Labor Relations Board, 340 474, 71 456, 95 stand.9 Judgment reversed. 16 WHITE, whom CLARK, HARLAN STEWART join, dissenting. 17 charged after entry become subject under 1952. Hearings April through July 1956, refused found prima facie made attempt rebut. On January 13, 1958, Court's reconsidered Rowoldt. Noting unlike here upset normal flowing matter public request hearings, merely asserting existing officer, re-examining adhered original conclusion voluntary, Appeals, body, examining again, declaratory relief Board's 'the findings (petitioner's) record,' 271, 828, affirmed. argued order, denied, 18 commenced today. permitted testify force violence. While disputing immaterial proceedings, nonetheless insisted introducing espouse cause save declined because view announce rule relied Press Perfetto clearly personal commitment tenet required proceedings. reviewing third time, 'there uncontradicted show existed.' second judicial review, contending refusal submit 'erroneous, unconstitutional illegal.' abuse discretion disturb affirmed, now reverses. & N Dec. Decisions respectfully dissent. 19 First. issue tendered allow kind affidavit attached complaint. Both upheld does disagree, nor suggest add way material statute. Instead, decides resurrecting supposedly settled courts below contrary taken itself previously certiorari. use powers confine presented rather afford repeated matters call integrity administrative process. 20 Second. Shaughnessy Pedreiro, 349 48, 75 591, 99 868, could, bringing secure 'final' Administrative Procedure Act. action, expressly states, affirmance unless 'be aside precludes justified fair worth informed competence both,' 'mean requiring expertise displace choice fairly conflicting views, though justifiably different de novo.' 488, 490, 465, 456. 'It drawing diverse inferences. (agency) alone initially selecting seems most reasonable (its) choice, otherwise sustainable, disturbed court.' Cardillo Liberty Mutual insurance Co., 330 469, 478, 67 801, 807, 91 1028. 21 overruled, modified, neither requested abandoned, ample basis membership. least terminated date. When reorganized units, seen ('it 15, more') 'He Forty-Fifth,' witness. 'either organizational form agenda meeting.' Attendance probably officials club.' 'for job.' convention, members—'you face panel give your identified the, panel, you admitted.' conventions, 'they discussions going drives coming up.' These membership.* Meetings functions, financial fanciful believe unaware doubtful ineptly run structured. 23 sure, purporting explained away rendered meaningless But characterize limit significance circumstances 'it enough free will. reading legislation requires scope Congress enacted *.' 741. 24 affirm holdings below, thorough examinations record. 'This place conflict reverse find tilting other, fairminded judges way.' Pittsburgh S.S. 498, 503, 453, 479. 'We do insubstantiality decide 'fair assessment' record.' Trade Comm. Standard Oil 396, 401, 369, 372, 359; Peurifoy Commissioner, 358 59, 61, 79 104, 105, 30; 502, 455, will intervene ought rare instance standard appears misapprehended grossly misapplied.' 491, 466, '(a) Any shall, General, deported who— '(6) entry, classes aliens: '(C) Aliens affiliated (i) dispute be, absence bar See Pages 473—474, infra. See, e.g., Aaron, Writers Left (1961), 149—160; Decter, Profile Communism 50—51; Ernst Loth, Report American (1952), passim; Glazer, Social Basis 115 passim. Compare Yates 354 298, 327—333, 77 1064, 1081—1084, 1356; 222—223, 230—255, 1486—1499, 782; Noto 290, 1517, 836. follows: 'Q. Now met how often respondent club? 'A. How often, maybe month.' possible explanation contradiction understood answered accordingly. borne extent witness 'revised' separate occasions, minutes apart, examination. requisite awareness, satisfaction instead aspect. aspect implied reference convention However, contrast Niukkanen McAlexander, 362 390, 80 799, 816, note 7, infra, described officership responsibility generally up,' elaborate there. sure present. facet touched board unit. 524, 529, supposed 'official club' presence 'probably' limited 'officials club,' meeting, making general '(a)t definitely purpose meeting) Thus, none significantly per curiam qualified since association.' 265 825 (C.A.9th Cir. 1959). Two confirmed Niukkanen's addition, helped distribution Communist-controlled newspaper edited actively participated office elsewhere pertaining policies circulation organ. regional 'plenum' Party—a wherein aspects reported on. Such 'anointed 'top fraction' added, belonged. Niukkanen, added unit, board. Nor inconsistent one. wrote opinions '(t)he differences obvious detailed.' 121, 184. example, remove man resided 1920 came Mexico 10-year-old boy, raised family citizens. Our makes unnecessary consider contention 'at spirit' 28 46 violated hear current series first appeal, predictable participate, unable participate concerned insufficiency 'direct' 'indirect' participation. though, contains Party.' 'directly' duespaying me plainly very drawn.

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