Legal Document

336 U.S. 806 69 Supreme Court Reporter 921 93 L.Ed. 1054 UNITED STATES ex rel. JOHNSONv.SHAUGHNESSY. Number 506. Argued April 19, 20, 1949. Decided May 9, Mr. Gunther Jacobson, of New York City, for petitioner. Patricia or Haw. Hawai‘i Reports KFH45 A2 Collins, respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 The American Foreign Service at Stockholm issued to petitioner an immigration visa come United States as a Swedish quota immigrant. On ground that she was mental defective, authorities Immigration and Naturalization declined admit her into this country ordered detention Ellis Island pending deportation Sweden. She filed habeas corpus proceeding contending not defective challenging in several respects legality exclusion order. District discharged writ remanded authorities. 82 F.Supp. 36. Appeals affirmed, one judge dissenting. 170 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 1009. Certiorari granted because important questions were raised concerning administration laws. 2 Section 3 Act 1917 excludes from admission certain classes aliens deemed undesirable. Among those excluded are persons 'who found be certified by examining surgeon being mentally * *.' 39 Statutes-at-Large 874, 875, 8 Code KF62 § 136(d), Annotated KF65 U5 136(d). 16 Act1 provides examinations arriving shall made less than two Public Health medical officers especially trained diagnosis insanity defects. same section authorizes appeal special board any alien who is defective. Finally 17 amended, 153, boards inquiry appointed Service, subject approval Attorney General. These specia 'authority determine whether has been duly held allowed land deported.' It kind States. First. Two signed certificate three affirmed finding certificate. Later when case under consideration asked time produce additional evidence show refused hear such holding it bound accept final certification Petitioner contends error which invalidates We hold correctly rejected contention. 4 provides, with exception here relevant, 'The decision based upon officer rejection affected disability would bring within Act.' agree following statement Appeals. 'A if its action conformed statute regulations after fair hearing plainly intended conclusive.' 1009, 1012. This conclusion particularly compelling light legislative history referred court's opinion. therefore turn certificates consider contention they result required regulations, themselves failed conform requirements. 5 Second. attacks validity both initial appellate board, provide inadequate basis excluding importance these underscored our Congress findings conclusions on question so must denied. taken note crucial determination prescribing minimum procedural requirements follow, qualifications doctors, number doctors examine applying alien, right have adverse reviewed doctors. In order further safeguards might provided, authorized Surgeon General prescribe governing procedure observed exercise Service's exclusive authority over questions. 6 Pursuant statutory detail manner type report their conclusions. As shown dissenting below, serious challenges sufficiency well defective.2 shortcomings certificate, however, probably could rendered harmless proper examination review. Since review meet requisite standards prescribed we need directed against original standing alone. 7 Regulations way convened follow. impose duty 'to re-examine alien'; 're-examination include board'; 'findings *.'3 shows only 'considered taking March 11, 1948, testimony given Dr. Carlton Simon, reports concurs above dated certificate.' wholly compliance requirement 34.13(g) base think record makes clear no regulations. itself considerations: (1) public health doctors; (2) Simon. But rest without denying independent re-examination had prescribed. Nor relieve make relying Moreover, Simon testified His 'normal.' hardly seems necessary add appeal,' cannot treated examination. board's inquiry. 9 Government contends, data did may assume deciding defects cured data, but find sufficient cure defect. relies contained stenographic petitioner's witness. Petitioner's evidence, like emphatic denial condition justify classification thus falls far short showing qualities. That tends confirm fact rested physician ship came country. ship's doctor circumstances discloses made. 10 Apparently second day commenced voyage America visited her. He weak dizzy. stated 'she stand sea' go dining room. doctor's impression his first visit seasick. next day, according report, admitted hallucinations, stating night heard cries saw faces, said consul 'wrong information,' thought sinful. At wrote down 'impression incipient psychosis' transferred isolation ward hospital. doctor, home Sweden six-month period years before. last sea trip, reported cleared up 'remarkably,' recollection 'a lot strange things before,' sleeping well, denied having looked 'considerably better.' before spoke 'terribly bad English'; prior boarding parties very tired aboard; coming aboard during bromides tablets; just slept 'yes' every asked. 11 From foregoing appears relied totally 're-examined' sum total specialist effect normal, plus admissions while seasick influence drugs prompted suspect 'incipient psychosis.' 12 So show, daily passenger constitute affirmative prohibit issuance orders resting nothing single episode non-Public-Health doctor. For provided supected excluded, own defined Congress. Medical barring even then 'only presence defect clearly established.' 42 Fed.Regs. 34.4 (Supp.1947). And c rtificates 'shall respect due ignorance, suffering attributable remedial physical causes, psychosis temporary nature caused toxin, drug, disease.' 34.7. here, episode, physician, ignorance English debility justifying exclusion. Even point, amiss verified petition contains undenied allegation now 'in defective.' 13 Our support unnecessary decide other relating applicability Administrative Procedure hearings 60 237, 239, §§ 1001, 1004, 1004. 14 judgment reversed cause entry affording appropriate 15 Reversed remanded. REED, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE BURTON join, affirms entrance With Court's ruling & N Dec. Nationality Decisions agree. 18 reversal dismissal founded premise reviewing 'shows (a psychiatrist chosen alien).' concludes 'the prescribed.' say, phrases it, 'makes regulations.'1 My reading thinks affirmatively failure comply regulation (h) examination.2 19 There suggestion certify examined.3 assume, require specific steps leading definitive. 20 disagree interpretation report. A strong presumption exists officials perform duty. If added phrase, accordance regulations,' word 'considered,' there doubt regularity until rebutted requires courts adopt interpretation.4 'has considered appeal' means me proceeded conformably 21 graver holding, interfere sound administrative procedure. Although represented counsel, objection form process. heretofore centered around issue finality disposed effort get relief corpus, never asserted, court, examined physicians board. plain generalized objections grounds see 2, affidavits appearing record. judge, refer Board Special Inquiry req ire adequate revealing reports. certiorari does present question. brief discuss it. 22 remedy exhausted correct errors resort judicial remedies.5 To permit occasional points brought attention agency hampers routine and, adopted rule law, disorganize Afterthought take place objection. where rules practice defeat ends justice.6 indicate disabilities petitioner, difficulties practice, emergence new law change circumstance course pleas. advantage method known seen fit forward reverses. 23 obvious Officers Inquiry, 6, prompt elaboration obtained or, already made, done promptly. Proper earliest opportunity Inquiry. litigant's unexplained raise capricious intervention behalf individual. 24 affirm below. 885, 152, 152. During counsel 'that positive defectiveness Counsel insisted 'mental disturbance whatsoever.' he testimony. response request chairman able bear expenses continued should grant replied believed could. immediately thereafter closed hearing, excluded. stated: 'I reverse direct sustained inadequacy surgeons regulations.' 1014. (c) 'Re-examination include: '(1) board; '(2) all records submitted; '(3) Use laboratory diagnostic methods tests advisable; '(4) Consideration statements regarding alien's reputable alien. '(e) An re-examined introduce witnesses experts discretion permit, cost expense, Fed.Reg. 34.13 (Supp. 1947). reads follows: 'Pursuant Director Officer Charge, subject-named Gunborg Johnson Mar. 1948 'Sec. 16. conduct certify, information hereinafter for, diseases alien; Any expert witness expense. *' C.F.R., 1947 Supp., 34.13. 'Re-examination; convening boards; witnesses; (a) General, authorized, charge, convene Upon defect, port entry. '(c) Re-examination '(g) presented part proceedings. '(h) also give notice thereof appeal. specifically affirm, modify, reject officers.' will noted regulation. 'It examination.' Lewis versus States, 279 63, 73, 49 257, 260, 73 615: settled general prerequisites official presumed complied with, contrary asserted shown.' R. Stearns company Boston, Mass., 291 54, 54 325, 328, 329, 78 647, cited; Chemical Foundation, 272 1, 14; 47 71 131. body Unemployment Compensation Commission Territory Alaska Aragan, 329 143, 155, 67 245, 251, 91 136: court usurps agency's function sets aside theretofore deprives matter, ruling, state reasons action.' Tri-State Broadcasting Communications Commission, App.D.C. 157, 107 956, 958. Cf. Myers Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, 303 41, 51, 58 459, 463, 464, 638; Blair Oesterlein Mach. Co., 275 220, 48 87, 72 249. contemplates presentation 7(c), 8(b)(2), 10(b), (e), 1006(c), 1007(b)(2), 1009(b, c, e). raising proceedings application, Caldarone Zoning Review City Warwick, R.I., Atlantic 158, 159; Reisberg Standards Sup., 81 N.Y.S.2d 511, 513; Transp. D.C., 65 981, 984. Hormel Helvering, 312 552, 557, 61 719, 721, 722, 85 1037.

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