Case: Chen v. Collins

06-5197 | Massachusetts state trial court

Filed Date: Dec. 14, 2006

Closed Date: 2011

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In December 2006, four aliens lawfully in the U.S. and residing Massachusetts, along with the Brazilian Immigrant Center, Inc., the Massachusetts Immigrant and the Refuge Advocacy Coalition, Inc., filed a class action lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court, challenging the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles denial of driver's licenses, learner's permits, and identification cards because of immigration status.

Plaintiffs were represented by attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and sought declaratory and injunctive relief.

A settlement was reached between the parties in 2011, the terms of which are unknown. This case is closed.

Summary Authors

Gregory Pitt (7/20/2012)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Berman, Kenneth (Massachusetts)

Gomez, Iris (Massachusetts)

Tousi, Shaghayegh (Massachusetts)

Wunsch, Sarah (Massachusetts)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

06-5197

Complaint

Dec. 14, 2006

Dec. 14, 2006

Complaint

ACLU Press Release: "Lawful Immigrants Sue Massachusetts RMV for Wrongful Denial of Drivers Licenses"

No Court

Dec. 15, 2006

Dec. 15, 2006

Press Release

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:40 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 14, 2006

Closing Date: 2011

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

All non-citizens who reside in Massachusetts, are old enough to qualify for, and have sought or may seek, a driver's license, renewed driver's license, learner's permit, or MA ID card from the RMV, but not including those ineligible to obtain an SSN.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State law

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Unknown

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Issues

General:

Public benefits (includes, e.g., in-state tuition, govt. jobs)

Immigration/Border:

Undocumented immigrants - rights and duties