Final answer:
Historically, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) had the authority to deny entry to gay and lesbian individuals under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. This policy was based on the classification of homosexuality as a 'psychopathic personality' but changed in 1979 after homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness in 1973.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) had the authority to deny entry to certain individuals, including gay and lesbian people, under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 which labeled homosexuality as a "psychopathic personality." This policy was in effect until a change in 1979.
The case of Boutilier v. Immigration and Naturalization Service is a historic example of the INS enforcing restrictive immigration laws based on sexual orientation. Under the broad category of "psychopathic personality," the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 included LGBTQ individuals, permitting their exclusion from entry into the United States. This policy remained in effect even after homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness in 1973, with the INS continuing to deny entry and deport gay and lesbian people.
It was not until 1979 that the INS updated its policies to eliminate this discriminatory practice. The case illustrates the evolving nature of immigration law and its intersection with social attitudes and medical understanding of sexual orientation over time.