detention of aliens for observation and examination

detention of aliens for observation and examination Sec. 232. For the purpose of determining whether aliens (including alien crewmen) arriving at ports of the United States belong to any of the classes excluded by this Act, by reason of being afflicted with any of the diseases or mental or physical defects or disabilities set forth in section 212 (a), or whenever the Attorney General has received information showing that any aliens are. coming from a country or have embarked at a place where any of such diseases are prevalent or epidemic, such aliens shall be detained on board the vessel or at the airport of arrival of the aircraft bringing them, unless the Attorney General directs their detention in a United States immigration station or other place specified by him at the expense of such vessel or aircraft except as otherwise provided in this Act, as circumstances may require or justify, for a sufficient time to enable the immigration officers and medical officers to subject such aliens to observation and an examination sufficient to determine whether or not they belong to the excluded classes.