Ex parte Panagopoulos, 11336.

Decision Date25 March 1933
Docket NumberNo. 11336.,11336.
Citation3 F.Supp. 222
CourtU.S. District Court — Southern District of California
PartiesEx parte PANAGOPOULOS.

Leo Gallagher, of Los Angeles, Cal., for petitioner.

John R. Layng, U. S. Atty., and Harry Graham Balter and Frank M. Chichester, Asst. U. S. Attys., all of Los Angeles, Cal., A. E. Burnett, Dist. Director of Immigration, and Trent Doser, Immigrant Inspector.

COSGRAVE, District Judge.

Warrant of deportation of the petitioner to Greece was issued by the Department of Labor, and petitioner was notified through his counsel on October 31, 1932, at which time he was given the privilege of voluntary departure. He elected to depart voluntary at his own expense. Unable to raise sufficient money for the purpose, he applied for an extension of time to December 31, which was accorded him. On December 15 he was arrested by the state authorities on a charge of criminal syndicalism and put in jail. Nothing further appears until January 18. He then demanded the privilege of voluntary departure, but at the expense of the government. The time within which he might have departed voluntarily having expired, he was taken into custody by the immigration authorities and so held when the writ was issued.

Claim is made that, because punishment awaits him on his arrival in Greece, his deportation thither is cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the United States Constitution.

That deportation is not punishment has been decided by the United States Supreme Court repeatedly. It is merely the exercise of the right existing in all sovereignties to say whom of aliens they will allow within their borders.

Voluntary deportation where deportation is ordered is in no sense a right possessed by the alien. It cannot even be said to be a practice of the Department of Immigration. In a sense it is recognized by the Act of March 4th, 1929 (8 USC § 180, subdivision b, 8 USCA § 180 (b), which provides, among other things, for punishment of deported aliens who attempt unlawful re-entry. The act provides that for the purposes of that act an alien who has been ordered deported and has left the United States shall be considered to have been deported in pursuance of law. Such a provision in no sense compels the Secretary of Labor to accord the right of voluntary departure, or even implies such a right where a warrant has been issued. If a practice allowing voluntary deportation has grown up in the immigration service, it is of necessity something resting only in the discretion of...

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6 cases
  • Soewapadji v. Wixon
    • United States
    • United States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (9th Circuit)
    • 16 Diciembre 1946
    ...Act of 1924, 8 U.S.C.A. § 214. 4 United States ex rel. Giletti v. Commissioner, 2 Cir., 35 F.2d 687, 689; Ex parte Panagopoulos, D.C.S.D.Cal., 3 F. Supp. 222, 223; United States ex rel. Fortmueller v. Commissioner, D.C.S.D. N.Y., 14 F.Supp. 484, 488; United States ex rel. Hudak v. Uhl, D.C.......
  • Mathews v. PUERTO RICO MARITIME MANAGEMENT, INC.
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Southern District of New York
    • 18 Julio 1985
  • United States v. Commissioner of Immigration
    • United States
    • United States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (2nd Circuit)
    • 6 Febrero 1939
    ...alien may be permitted to depart voluntarily. See United States ex rel. Giletti v. Commissioner, 2 Cir., 35 F. 2d 687, 688; Ex parte Panagopoulos, 3 F.Supp. 222, D.C.,S.D.Calif. But even assuming such power to exist in a proper case, no abuse of discretion is apparent on this record. The po......
  • United States v. Reimer
    • United States
    • United States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (2nd Circuit)
    • 1 Mayo 1939
    ...departure. But the granting or denial of such privilege is of necessity a matter resting in his discretion. See Ex parte Panagopoulos, D.C.S.D.Cal., 3 F.Supp. 222, 223; Fafalios v. Doak, 60 App.D.C. 215, 50 F.2d 640. With respect to discretionary powers expressly conferred upon the Secretar......
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