Legal Document

422 U.S. 873 95 Supreme Court Reporter 2574. 45 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 607 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.Felix Humberto BRIGNONI-PONCE. Number 74—114. Argued Feb. 18, 1975. Decided June 30, Syllabus The Fourth Amendment held not to allow a roving patrol of the Border Patrol stop vehicle near Mexican border and question its occupants about their citizenship immigration status, when only ground for suspicion is that appear be ancestry. Except at functional equivalents, patrolling officers may vehicles if they are aware specific articulable facts, together with rational inferences therefrom, reasonably warranting contain aliens who illegally in country. Pp. 878-887. (a) Because important governmental interest preventing illegal entry border, minimal intrusion brief stop, absence practical alternatives policing an officer, whose observations lead him suspect particular country, car briefly, driver passengers ask them explain suspicious circumstances; but any further detention or search must based on consent probable cause. 878-882. (b) To patrols broad unlimited discretion urged by Government all area without reason have violated law, would 'reasonable' under Amendment. 882-883. (c) Assuming Congress has power admit condition submit reasonable questioning right such cannot diminish rights citizens mistaken aliens. therefore forbids stopping persons less than 883-884. 9 Cir., 499 Federal Reporter, 2nd 1109, affirmed. Andrew L. Frey, Washington, D.C., petitioner. John Judge Cleary, Redwood City, Cal., respondent. Mr. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 This case raises questions as Patrol's authority automobiles areas border. It differs from our decision Almeida-Sanchez versus States, 413 266, 93 2535, 37 596 (1973), does claim cars, status. 2 * As part regular traffic-checking operations southern California, operates fixed checkpoint Interstate Highway 5 south San Clemente. On evening March 11, 1973, was closed because inclement weather, two were observing northbound traffic parked side highway. road dark, using car's headlights illuminate passing cars. They pursued respondent's stopped it, saying later doing so three appeared descent. questioned respondent his learned had entered country illegally. All then arrested, charged counts knowingly transporting immigrants, violation § 274(a)(2) Immigration Nationality Act, 66 Statutes-at-Large 228, 8 Code KF62 1324(a)(2). At trial moved suppress testimony passengers, claiming this evidence fruit seizure. court denied motion, testified trial, convicted both counts. 3 Respondent's appeal pending Appeals Ninth Circuit we announced supra, holding prohibits use vehicles, warrant cause, points removed equivalents. Appeals, sitting en banc, more closely resembled roving-patrol checkpoint, applied principles Almeida-Sanchez.1 Amendment, interpreted Almeida-Sanchez, vehicle, even limited purpose occupants, unless 'founded suspicion' refused find ancestry alone supported motion should been granted.2 1109 (1974). We granted certiorari set oral argument 73—2050, Ortiz, 891, 2585, 623, 73—6848, Bowen 916, 2569, 641. 419 824, 40, 42 48 4 challenge Appeals' factual conclusion rather stop. Brief 8. Nor it retroactive application 9, contend Clemente equivalent issue presented whether For reasons follow, affirm Appeals. II claims sources statutory cars warrants areas. Section 287(a)(1) 1357(a)(1), authorizes officer employee Naturalization Service (INS) warrant, 'to interrogate alien person believed remain States.' There no geographical limitation authority. contends that, least adjacent person's apparent justifies belief he she satisfies requirement statute. 287(a)(3) 1357(a)(3), agents, 6 'within distance external boundary board vessel within territorial waters railway car, aircraft, conveyance, . ..' 7 Under current regulations, exercised anywhere 100 miles Regulations 287.1(a) (1975). interprets statute granting moving citizenship, believe other concealed vehicle.3 But 'no Act can authorize Constitution,' 272, 2539, decide allows random stops III applies seizures person, including involve short traditional arrest. Davis Mississippi, 394 721, 89 1394, 22 676 (1969); Terry Ohio, 392 1, 16—19, 88 1868, 1877, 20 889 (1968). '(W)henever police accosts individual restrains freedom walk away, 'seized' person,' id., 16, S.Ct., requires seizure 'reasonable.' categories action subject constraints, reasonableness depends balance between public individual's personal security free arbitrary interference law officers. Id., 20—21, 1879; Camara Municipal Court, 387 523, 536—537, 87 1727, 1734, 18 930 (1967). makes convincing demonstration demands effective measures prevent Estimates number immigrants vary widely. A conservative estimate 1972 produced figure one million, INS now suggests there many 10 12 million country.4 Whatever number, these create significant economic social problems, competing legal resident jobs, generating extra demand services. themselves vulnerable exploitation complain substandard working conditions risking deportation. See generally Hearings Illegal Aliens before Subcommittee House Committee Judiciary, 92d Cong., 1st Sess., ser. 13, pts. 1—5 (1971—1972). estimated 85% Mexico. Baca, 368 F.Supp. 398, 402 (SD Cal.1973).5 almost 2,000 long, vastly reinforced impossible crossings. Many cross foot, away patrolled areas, purchase transportation inland cities, where jobs elude authorities. Others gain valid temporary border-crossing permits, violate entry. Most leave private often assisted professional 'alien smugglers.' designed movement. succeed apprehending some entrants smugglers, deter movement others threatening apprehension increasing cost transportatin. 11 Against weigh liberty results automobile occupants. modest. tells us 'usually consumes minute.' 25. visual inspection those parts seen anyone standing alongside.6 According Government, '(a)ll required vehicle's response possibly production document evidencing Ibid. nature intrusion, sort justified facts do amount cause In declined expressly amounting could justify 'investigative 'seizure" arrest, U.S., 19 n. 1879, approved search—a pat-down weapons—for protection investigating behavior armed dangerous. did constitute suspects guilty crime, requiring 'the able point which, taken warrant' safety danger. 21, 1880; see 27, 1883. 13 elaborated Adams Williams, 407 143, 92 1921, 32 612 (1972), policeman approaching investigate tip carrying narcotics gun. 14 'The require lacks precise level information necessary arrest simply shrug shoulders crime occur criminal escape. contrary, recognizes essence good work adopt intermediate response. individual, order determine identity maintain status quo momentarily while obtaining information, most light known time.' 145—146, 1923. 15 These cases establish appropriate circumstances properly 'search' 'seizure' contraband crime. Williams grounds might searches method protecting well, importance stake, hold officer's briefly provoke suspicion. Terry, inquiry 'reasonably related scope justification initiation.' 29, 1884. circumstances, 16 unwilling let dispense entirely stops.7 context stops, something sought Government. Roads carry seeking enter illegally, large volume legitimate well. Diego, metropolitan population 1.4 located Texas fairly directly border: El Paso, 360,000, Brownsville-McAllen area, combined 320,000. confident substantially cities lawful relatively few residents connection approve potentially highways, solely formal appears administrative regulation defining term 'reasonable distance' mean air Thus, Government's position case, motorists questioning, day night, 2,000-mile city street, busy highway, desert road, law. 17 convinced needs enforcement degree traffic. discuss Part IV, infra, characteristics smuggling tend generate identifying violators. Consequently, adequate means guarding also protects indiscriminate official interference. though incident modest, conclude make basis.8 enforcing Although assume purposes congressional over immigration, Kleindienst Mandel, 408 753, 765—767, 2576, 2583, 33 683 will same inquire detaining IV effect limit exercise 287(a)(3). country.9 Any factors into account deciding area. Officers consider which encounter vehicle. Its proximity usual patterns previous experience relevant. Carroll 267 132, 159—161, 280, 69 L.Ed. 543 (1925); Jaime-Barrios, 494 455 (CA9), cert. denied, 417 972, 94 3178, 41 1143 (1974).10 recent crossings driver's relevant, erratic driving obvious attempts evade support Larios-Montes, 500 941 (CA9 1974); Duprez 435 1276 1970). Aspects itself instance, say certain station wagons, compartments fold-down seats spare tires, frequently used Bugarin-Casas, 484 853 1973), 414 1136, 881, 38 762 (1974); Wright, 476 1027 (CA5 1973). heavily loaded, extraordinary observe trying hide. supra. out trained recognize characteristic appearance live Mexico, relying mode dress haircut. Reply 12—13, 623. situations entitled assess detecting smuggling. 21 relied single factor car: occupants.11 furnished best fleeting glimpse illuminated headlights. Even saw enough think descent, neither aliens, nor Large numbers native-born naturalized physical identified ancestry, small proportion aliens.12 likelihood given high relevant factor, Mexican-Americans judgment 23 Affirmed. 24 REHNQUIST, concurring. 25 & N Dec. Decisions join quite out, however, opinion, joined somewhat different majority comprised Almeida Sanchez terms reasoning concerned type involved case. just travelers entering searched founded suspicion, 'national self identify himself come in, belongings effects lawfully brought in,' 154, 285, (1925), strong made laws conditioning vehicular highway likewise highways met qualifications prescribed applicable use. Cady Dombrowski, 433, 440—441, 2523, 2527, 706 (1973); Biswell, 406 311, 1593, (1972). regard similar situations, agricultural inspections roadblocks apprehend fugitives, way constitutionally today's decision. 26 DOUGLAS, concurring judgment. 27 affirmance patent agree, standard adopts measure lawfulness officers' action. extends 'suspicion' test (1968), automobile. dissented adoption believing unjustified weakening Amendment's police. remarked then: 28 infringement possess 'probable cause' seize him. Only line draws meaningful distinction mere inkling presence 29 knowledge convince man seized commit crime.' 38, 1888. 30 fears voiced regrettably borne subsequent events. Hopes employed pursuit violent crime—a endorsed proponents*—have dashed, investigations, 'illegal' indeed viewed construct general investigatory power. warmly embraced forces vigorously detection. whom initial led discovery wrongdoing. permits interfere well multitude law-abiding citizens, transgression nonconformist attitude. commentator remarked: 31 "Police arbitrary. accost whim detain upon say, reality, whim." Amsterdam, Perspectives 58 Minn.L.Rev. 349, 395 uses put illustrated cited Court's opinion. example, wagon tire back seat. suspected wheel freed facilitate concealment encountered 'riding low'; hidden beneath floorboards. vacationer weighted down luggage comfort decisions; drive older ride low suspension systems old disrepair. state affairs flimsiest justifications. does, sure, disclaim approval decisions cites applying test. specifying considered attempting what combination satisfy test, actually induce push language beyond intended limits advance enumerated probative significance negligible. 34 Ultimately depend henceforth says today. If my Brethren give new bite, applaud intention. view developments since launched am optimistic. first invalidate basis standard. fact, review once, found satisfied informant credibility established shown knowledge. future provide restraint police, force vigorous applications, qualifying now, unconvinced offers 'comprehensive face intrusion,' Lopez 373 427, 455, 83 1381, 462 (1963) (dissenting opinion), embodied purposes, controlling. previously retrospectively activities checkpoints. Peltier, 985 1974), rev'd, 531, 2313, 374; Bowen, 960 aff'd, room voluntary witness opposed agent's objects statements overheard, suppression Guana-Sanchez, 590 (CA7 dismissed improvidently granted, 420 513, 1344, 43 361 raised petition certiorari, address it. accept contention mention legislative history establishes meant contained contention. Commissioner Judiciary Committee. Subcommittee, pt. 5, Pages 1323—1325 higher Ann.Rep. iii tends confirmed consistently nationals deportable arrested each year. 1970, 80% (1970). 1974, 92%. incriminating validity issue. changed practice searching routine informs present contraband. effort obtain one, occasion issued designated whole 275, 2540 (Powell, J., concurring); Our takes special function Patrol, interests character availability unsupported agents regulate use, nothing entitled, virtue compliance governing usage, highways. thus imply local agencies conduct enforce regarding drivers' licenses, registration, truck weights, matters. noted above, reserve Cheung Tin Wong INS, 152 U.S.App.D.C. 66, 468 1123 (1972); Au Yi Lau 144 147, 445 217, 404 864, 64, 108 (1971). point. Courts throughout merely illustrative. citation merits decisions. Each turn totality circumstances. argues location car. appears, after-the-fact justification. gave except clear broader decline stage weight 1970 census figures registration following Mexican-American States. 1,619,064 origin Texas, 200,004 (or 12.4%) registered New Mexico 119,049 origin, 10,171 8.5%) Arizona 239,811 34,075 14.2%) California 1,857,267 379,951 20.4%) Bureau Census, Subject Report PC(2)—1C: Persons Spanish Origin (1970); 105 figures, course, entire picture. increased (1974), very figures. hand, 950,000 living origin. LaFave, 'Street Encounters' Constitution, 67 Mich.L.Rev. 39, 65—66

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