Speech #760053392

I rise merely to give my interpretation of the language sought to be stricken by the pending amendment in its alleged ex post facto features. As I see it. the language incorporated in the bill as it stands does not involve the question of ex post facto. If an alien commits a crime and the court assesses a punishment for that crime. then that is a punishment for the offense which the alien has committed. but by committing the crime he makes himself subject to deportation. and the action sought here does not attach to his original crime as a penalty but attaches merely to the deportation as a protection of this Government by reason of the fact that he is subject to deportation on account of having committed the crime. In my judgment. any punishment that may be imposed by this measure arises by reason of the fact that the alien is subject to deportation and is not inflicted as a penalty for the crime which he committed and which rendered him subject to deportation.