William O. Douglas

“ Respondent, the seaman, signed on in Greece, and he is a Greek citizen. His contract of employment provides that Greek law and a Greek collective-bargaining agreement apply between the employer and the seaman and that all claims arising out of the employment contract are to be adjudicated by a Greek court. And it seems to be conceded that respondent could obtain relief through Greek courts, if he desired.
The Jones Act speaks only of 'the defendant employer' without any qualifications. ”

“ But once an alien lawfully enters and resides in this country he becomes invested with the rights guaranteed by the Constitution to all people within our borders. Such rights include those protected by the First and the Fifth Amendments and by the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. None of these provisions acknowledges any distinction between citizens and resident aliens. ”

“ We indicated that the flag that a ship flies may, at times, alone be sufficient. Id., at 585-586, 73 S.Ct. 929-930. The significance of one or more factors must be considered in light of the national interest served by the assertion of Jones Act jurisdiction. ”