United States v. Breyer

829 F. Supp. 773, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9042, 1993 WL 303114
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Pennsylvania
DecidedJuly 6, 1993
DocketCiv. A. 92-2319
StatusPublished
Cited by11 cases

This text of 829 F. Supp. 773 (United States v. Breyer) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Breyer, 829 F. Supp. 773, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9042, 1993 WL 303114 (E.D. Pa. 1993).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

YOHN, District Judge.

Presently before the court is a denaturalization action filed by the United States government pursuant to Section 340(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended, 8 U.S.C. § 1451(a). The government seeks to revoke and set aside a 1957 order issued in this district admitting the defendant, Johann Breyer, as a United States citizen. The government also seeks to cancel defendant’s certificate of naturalization (number 7992538) which was issued pursuant to that order. This court has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1345 and 8 U.S.C. §§ 1421(a), 1451(a).

In its five count complaint, the government alleges that defendant was a member of a SS Totenkopf (Death’s Head) Battalion as an armed guard of prisoners during World War II. Defendant occupied this position at the Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany and later at Auschwitz death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland. The government asserts that defendant misrepresented and concealed his Nazi guard service when applying for a visa to enter the United States under the Displaced Persons Act of 1948, Pub.L. No. 80-774, 62 Stat. 1009, amended by, Pub.L. No. 81-555, 64 Stat. 219 (1950) (“DPA”) and when applying for naturalization.

The government now moves for summary judgment on counts I and II. Count I alleg *775 es that defendant’s entry into the United States was unlawful under the DPA in that he illegally procured his citizenship because he advocated or assisted in the persecution of people because of race, religion, or national origin. Count II alleges that defendant’s entry into the United States was unlawful because his membership and participation in a movement which was hostile to the United States or the form of government of the United States made the procurement of his citizenship illegal. In response to the government’s motion, the defendant contends that his mother was born in the United States and thus he is a United States citizen by birth. For the reasons explained in this memorandum and order, the court will grant the government partial summary judgment on counts I and II, without prejudice to defendant’s right to pursue the issue of citizenship by birth.

Summary Judgment Standard

The United States Supreme Court recognizes United States citizenship as a precious right once it is acquired. The loss of United States citizenship can have severe and unsettling consequences. Costello v. United States, 365 U.S. 265, 269, 81 S.Ct. 534, 536-37, 5 L.Ed.2d 551 (1961). In a denaturalization action, the government bears a heavy burden of proof. “The evidence justifying revocation of citizenship must be ‘clear, unequivocal and convincing’ and not leave ‘the issue in doubt.’ ” Fedorenko v. United States, 449 U.S. 490, 505-06, 101 S.Ct. 737, 747, 66 L.Ed.2d 686 (1981). However, there must also be strict compliance with any congressionally imposed prerequisites to the acquisition of citizenship. Id. at 506, 101 S.Ct. at 747. Failure to comply with any of the conditions set by Congress can result in citizenship being set aside. Id.

Even with the heavy burden of proof placed upon the government in naturalization cases, summary judgment remains applicable in such actions. United States v. Dercacz, 530 F.Supp. 1348, 1349 n. 1 (E.D.N.Y.1982); 6-Part 2 Moore’s Federal Practice ¶ 56.-17[76] at 56-668 (2d ed. 1993). Summary judgment is appropriate if there exists no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Small v. Seldows Stationery, 617 F.2d 992, 994 (3d Cir.1980). The moving party need not produce evidence to disprove the opponent’s claim but does carry the burden of demonstrating the absence of any genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2552-53, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). In turn, the non-moving party must offer specific facts contradicting the facts averred by the movant which indicate there is no genuine issue for trial. Lujan v. National Wildlife Federation, 497 U.S. 871, 883, 110 S.Ct. 3177, 3186, 111 L.Ed.2d 695 (1990). If there are no genuine issues as to material facts, the court must determine whether the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c).

FACTUAL BACKGROUND NOT IN DISPUTE

Defendant’s parents were married on November 17, 1913. Government Exhibit 1.18 at 2. Defendant’s father was born in Nova Lesna at the time it was part of Austria-Hungary. 1 Id. Defendant was born on May 30,1925 in Neuwalddorf, now known as Nova Lesna, in the Federal Republic of Czech and Slovak. Between 1925 and 1943, defendant resided in Neuwalddorf with his parents. Amended Ans. ¶ 8.

Beginning in or about February, 1943, defendant became a member of the Waffen SS and was part of the SS Totenkopf guard unit. Amended Ans. ¶ 16. Defendant was assigned to the Buchenwald concentration camp from February, 1943 to May, 1944, as an armed guard of prisoners. Amended Ans. ¶ 18, Government Exhibit 1.21.2 ¶¶ 3^4. As a member of the Buchenwald Totenkopf, defendant wore a dark green uniform with a skull and erossbones on the lapel. Exhibit 1.13 at 87-88; Exhibit 1.21.2 at ¶ 4. When defendant arrived at Buchenwald, he received training on how to handle a rifle and deal with prisoners. Exhibit 1.13 at 97-99; Exhibit 1.21.2 at ¶ 4. One of defendant’s duties at Buchenwald involved standing *776 guard outside the perimeter of the camp with a loaded rifle. While on guard duty, defendant had instructions to shoot any prisoner trying to escape that failed to heed a warning to stop. Exhibit 1.13 at 108-110, 116-17, 127-28. Defendant also escorted work prisoners to and from their respective work sites. Amended Ans. 1124. Defendant was paid for his service at Buchenwald and he also received one two-week paid leave per year. Exhibit 1.13 at 111-13; Exhibit 1.21.2 at ¶ 4. Defendant admits that he observed that prisoners wore badges on their uniforms as a means of identifying the basis for their imprisonment. Amended Ans. 1121. Defendant now believes that prisoners at the Buchenwald camp were subjected to abuse, torture and killing. Amended Ans. ¶ 23. However, defendant denies ever participating in any of this conduct while a guard at Buchenwald.

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Bluebook (online)
829 F. Supp. 773, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9042, 1993 WL 303114, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-breyer-paed-1993.