Deportation Case
I read with great interest your article (April 28), featuring Judge Stephen V. Wilson who criticized the government’s use of the McCarran-Walter Act to deport eight immigrants. Judge Wilson’s points are well-taken.
Like the earlier ones, the new subversion charges brought against two of the eight defendants violate the First Amendment. The new charges particularly trample on the guarantee of freedom of association. No charge of criminal wrongdoing has been leveled against any of the eight, but now there is the accusation that two have been members of a group that may at some point have committed acts of terrorism. This is guilt by association. This travesty is made possible because of the McCarran-Walter Act.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has introduced legislation designed to repeal the most harmful aspects of this law. If he is successful it will be a banner day for civil liberties.
SUSAN LANCASTER
Los Angeles
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