Ignatz Mezei's Affidavit

This is the Affidavit in Opposition to Motion for Stay of Mandate from a court case regarding immigrant Ignatz Mezei’s permanent exclusion from entering the United States on security grounds and his consequent stranding on Ellis Island for three years without trial or charges. He went to court asserting unlawful confinement and a violation of the Sixth Amendment “right to a speedy and public trial.” The Supreme Court, in a 5 to 4 vote, ultimately decided that an immigrant seeking admission to the United States had no right to constitutional due process. Mezei could thus be excluded without a hearing and detained indefinitely.