Speech #890138008

So in the case of the criminal code. we have a time limit within which a person must be prosecuted. and after which he may not. The only exceptions to this rule are usually capital cases. Yet in the case of actions for which deportation proceedings may be brought. there is no time limit. These actions may not even be of so serious a nature that a criminal prosecution is possible. Yet the Immigration Service is able to institute proceedings by reason of actions that it alleges took place far in excess of a time limit that would apply to a criminal prosecution. Two cases in my own State. wherein proceedings for deportation were brought some 25 to 30 years after the alleged acts took place aroused my interest in what I found to be a serious shortcoming in the administration of Justice. Other Senators have learned of similar situations affecting their constituents. One case was shocking and aroused many people in my State. particularly the lawyers in my State. It is known as the Mackie case. It involves a baby born in Finland. whose parents were naturalized American citizens and who had gone back to Finland for a visit. At the age of 6 months. he was brought to the United States. His associates were in the United States during his whole lifetime. During the depression in the 1930s. he attended various meetings which subsequently were described by the immigration authorities to be at least Communistdominated meetings. although we have the sworn affidavit that at no time was Mackie a member of the Communist Party. and that he attended meetings which he was led to believe were meetings that would help the unemployed get employment. More than 20 years later. the immigration authorities. under the administrative processes and immigration procedures. ordered him to be deported. He is over in Finland today. He has no friends there.