Galvan v. Press/Dissent Douglas

by William O. Douglas

United States Supreme Court

347 U.S. 522

Galvan  v.  Press

 Argued: Jan. 11, 12, 1954. --- Decided: May 24, 1954

Mr. Justice DOUGLAS, with whom Mr. Justice BLACK concurs, dissenting.

As Mr. Justice BLACK states in his dissent, the only charge against this alien is an act that was lawful when done. I agree that there is, therefore, no constitutional basis for deportation, if aliens, as well as citizens, are to be the beneficiaries of due process of law.

The case might, of course, be different if the past affiliation with Communism now seized upon as the basis for deportation had continued down to this date. But so far as this record shows, the alien Galvan quit the Communist Party at least six years ago. There is not a word in the present record to show that he continued his affiliations with it sub rosa or espoused its causes or joined in any of its activities since he ceased to be a member of it.

I cannot agree that because a man was once a Communist, he always must carry the curse. Experience teaches otherwise. It is common knowledge that though some of the leading Socialists of Asia once were Communists, they repudiated the Marxist creed when they experienced its ugly operations, and today are the most effective opponents the Communists know. So far as the present record shows, Galvan may be such a man. Or he may be merely one who transgressed and then returned to a more orthodox political faith. The record is wholly silent about Galvan's present political activities. Only one thing is clear: Galvan is not being punished for what he presently is, nor for an unlawful act, nor for espionage or conspiracy or intrigue against this country. He is being punished for what he once was, for a political faith he briefly expressed over six years ago and then rejected.

This action is hostile to our constitutional standards, as I pointed out in Harisiades v. Shaughnessy, 342 U.S. 580, 598, 72 S.Ct. 512, 523, 96 L.Ed. 586. Aliens who live here in peace, who do not abuse our hospitality, who are lawabiding members of our communities, have the right to due process of law. They too are 'persons' within the meaning of the Fifth Amendment. They can be molested by the government in times of peace only when their presence here is hostile to the safety or welfare of the Nation. If they are to be deported, it must be for what they are and do, not for what they once believed.

Notes