Case: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico v. Alfred L. Snapp & Sons, Inc.

5:79-00007 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia

Filed Date: Jan. 11, 1979

Closed Date: July 1, 1982

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In 1979, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico brought suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, challenging the actions of East Coast apple growers in recruiting and employing foreign workers during the apple harvest season. Puerto Rico alleged that the apple growers violated the Wagner-Peyser Act and the Immigration and Nationality Act by hiring foreign workers instead of citizens of Puerto Rico, who should have been given priority in employment as they were U…

In 1979, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico brought suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, challenging the actions of East Coast apple growers in recruiting and employing foreign workers during the apple harvest season. Puerto Rico alleged that the apple growers violated the Wagner-Peyser Act and the Immigration and Nationality Act by hiring foreign workers instead of citizens of Puerto Rico, who should have been given priority in employment as they were U.S. citizens

Apple growers moved to dismiss the case, arguing that plaintiff lacked standing to bring the action. The District Court (Chief Judge Turk) granted the motion, holding that Puerto Rico did not have standing under the doctrine of parens patriae to bring suit. Com. of Puerto Rico ex rel. Quiros v. Alfred L. Snapp & Son, Inc., 469 F.Supp. 928 (W.D.Va. 1979) Puerto Rico appealed. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed. Com. of Puerto Rico ex rel. Quiros v. Alfred L. Snapp & Sons, Inc., 632 F.2d 365 (4th Cir. 1980).

Certiorari was granted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Alfred L. Snapp & Son, Inc. v. Puerto Rico, 454 U.S. 1079, 102 S.Ct. 631, 70 L.Ed.2d 612 (1981). The Fourth Circuit decision was affirmed. Alfred L. Snapp & Son, Inc. v. Puerto Rico, ex rel., Barez, 458 U.S. 592, 102 S.Ct. 3260, 73 L.Ed.2d 995(1982).

It is unknown what happened to the case upon remand to the District Court.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (12/10/2007)

People


Judge(s)

Blackmun, Harry Andrew (District of Columbia)

Brennan, William Joseph Jr. (District of Columbia)

Butzner, John Decker Jr. (Virginia)

Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

Bacas, Thomas J. (District of Columbia)

Brown, Ronald J. (Virginia)

Judge(s)

Blackmun, Harry Andrew (District of Columbia)

Brennan, William Joseph Jr. (District of Columbia)

Butzner, John Decker Jr. (Virginia)

Hall, Kenneth Keller (West Virginia)

Marshall, Thurgood (District of Columbia)

Sprouse, James Marshall (West Virginia)

Stevens, John Paul (District of Columbia)

Turk, James Clinton (Virginia)

White, Byron Raymond (District of Columbia)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

5:79-00007

Memorandum Opinion

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico v. Alfred L. Snapp & Son, Inc.

April 19, 1979

April 19, 1979

Order/Opinion

469 F.Supp. 469

79-01349

Opinion

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico v. Alfred L. Snapp & Sons, Inc.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Oct. 9, 1980

Oct. 9, 1980

Order/Opinion

632 F.2d 632

80-01305

Opinion

Alfred L. Snapp & Son, Inc. v. Puerto Rico Ex Rel. Barez, Secretary of Labor and Human Resources

Supreme Court of the United States

July 1, 1982

July 1, 1982

Order/Opinion

458 U.S. 458

Resources

Docket

Last updated March 20, 2024, 3:16 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Virginia

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 11, 1979

Closing Date: July 1, 1982

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Alfred L. Snapp and Son, Inc., Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101 et seq.

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

U.S. Supreme Court merits opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Unknown

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Employment

Temporary foreign workers program