Bernal v. Fainter, 467 U.S. 216 (1984); Facts: Texas had a state law barring aliens from becoming notaries public. Issue: Whether the bar was a violation of equal protection. Holding: Yes. Reasoning: Generally, alienage is a suspect classification, which can only pass strict scrutiny if there are compelling state interests and the classification is the least restrictive means available. The only narrow exception was the Dougall case, where the exclusion is from the state’s “governmental function” or “political function.” To determine this exception, a two-part test is used. First, the classification must not be too under- or over-inclusive. Second, the exclusion must only apply to “persons holding state elective or important nonelective executive, legislative and judicial positions,” i.e. those that “participate directly in the formulation, execution, or review of broad public policy.” This is a very narrow exception. Notaries public do not fall within the “political function” exception, because their duties are “clerical and ministerial” rather than the exercise of broad discretion or policy. Notes: Federal restrictions on aliens were addressed in Hampton v. Mow Sun Wong (invalidating a federal bar on aliens holding competitive civil service positions), and Mathews v. Diaz, (upholding a restriction on alien eligibility for federal Medicare conditioned on (a) admission for permanent residence, and (b) continuous residence in the U.S. for five years.)
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