Case: Estrada v. Rhode Island

1:07-cv-00010 | U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

Filed Date: Jan. 8, 2007

Closed Date: March 1, 2010

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

The lawsuit touches on the national controversy over whether local police should be involved in enforcement of federal immigration laws.On January 8, 2007, the ACLU of Rhode Island filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island against the Rhode Island State Police, alleging that its officers engaged in racial profiling when they stopped and detained 14 Guatemalans in a van on Interstate 95 and transferred them to immigration officials. The lawsuit alleged th…

The lawsuit touches on the national controversy over whether local police should be involved in enforcement of federal immigration laws.

On January 8, 2007, the ACLU of Rhode Island filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island against the Rhode Island State Police, alleging that its officers engaged in racial profiling when they stopped and detained 14 Guatemalans in a van on Interstate 95 and transferred them to immigration officials. The lawsuit alleged that a State Police officer pulled over the van because the driver failed to use his turn signal when changing lanes. After the officer confirmed that the driver's license and registration were valid and that he had no outstanding warrants, he demanded that the passengers produce documents "demonstrating their U.S. citizenship." When none of the occupants could produce citizenship papers, they were escorted to the federal Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Providence.

Plaintiffs claimed that the defendants' conduct violated their rights to be free from discrimination and from unreasonable searches and seizures as secured by the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Rhode Island Constitution and the Racial Profiling Prevention Act of 2004. The State Police denied all allegations.

After a year of discovery, the State Police filed a motion for summary judgment on May 22, 2008, and the plaintiffs filed a motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of the reasonability of the search on the same day. On December 30, 2008, the District Court (Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi) denied the plaintiffs' motion and granted that of the State Police, finding that the police search was justified by reasonable suspicion under the Fourth Amendment and that the plaintiffs had failed to demonstrate that they had been discriminated against based on race.

The plaintiffs appealed, and on February 4, 2010, a three-judge panel of the First Circuit (Chief Judge Sandra L. Lynch, Judge Juan R. Torruella and Judge Jeffrey R. Howard) affirmed. Estrada v. Rhode Island, 594 F.3d 56 (1st Cir. 2010). In an opinion by Judge Torruella, the panel held that the officer who made the stop was entitled to qualified immunity and thus declined to address the other issues.

The case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Christopher Schad (7/13/2012)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4378370/parties/estrada-v-state-of-rhode-islandet-al/


Judge(s)

Lisi, Mary M. (Rhode Island)

Lynch, Sandra Lea (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Baum, Brenda D. (Rhode Island)

Formisano, V. Edward (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Defendant

Lee, James R. (Rhode Island)

Judge(s)

Lisi, Mary M. (Rhode Island)

Lynch, Sandra Lea (Massachusetts)

Martin, David L. (Rhode Island)

Torruella, Juan R. (Puerto Rico)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:07-cv-00010

Docket (PACER)

March 1, 2010

March 1, 2010

Docket
1

1:07-cv-00010

Complaint

Jan. 8, 2007

Jan. 8, 2007

Complaint

ACLU Files Racial Profiling Lawsuit Against Rhode Island State Police (1/8/2007)

No Court

Jan. 8, 2007

Jan. 8, 2007

Press Release
52

1:07-cv-00010

Memorandum and Order [Granting Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment]

Dec. 30, 2008

Dec. 30, 2008

Order/Opinion
30

09-01149

[First Circuit] Opinion [Affirming the District Court]

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Feb. 4, 2010

Feb. 4, 2010

Order/Opinion

594 F.3d 594

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4378370/estrada-v-state-of-rhode-islandet-al/

Last updated Feb. 9, 2024, 3:12 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against State of Rhode Island, State Police Department, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 65082.) filed by Cruz F. Rivera, Carlos E. Tamup, Jose Burgos, Abelino M. Urizar, Israel Tebalan, Rolando Noriega, Boris Cruz, Elsa Hernandez Vilavicencio, Astrid G. Estrada, Wendy M. Estrada, Guilfredo E. Munoz, Jose A. Aquino. (Attachments: # (1) Civil Cover Sheet)(Barletta, Barbara)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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Jan. 8, 2007

Jan. 8, 2007

RECAP
2

NOTICE of Appearance by Brenda D. Baum on behalf of State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot (Baum, Brenda)

April 2, 2007

April 2, 2007

RECAP
3

ANSWER to Complaint with Jury Demand by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot.(Baum, Brenda)

April 2, 2007

April 2, 2007

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4

NOTICE of Appearance by James R. Lee on behalf of State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot (Lee, James)

April 2, 2007

April 2, 2007

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5

MOTION to Compel More Responsive Answers to First Request For Production of Documents Propounded to Defendant State of Rhode Island by all plaintiffs. Responses due by 4/20/2007 (Formisano, V.)

April 3, 2007

April 3, 2007

RECAP
6

AMENDED ANSWER to Complaint with Jury Demand by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot.(Baum, Brenda)

April 6, 2007

April 6, 2007

RECAP
7

NOTICE of Hearing: Rule 16 Conference set for Wednesday, 5/16/2007 09:30 AM in Chambers 310 before Chief Judge Mary M Lisi. (Barletta, Barbara)

April 9, 2007

April 9, 2007

RECAP
8

RESPONSE in Opposition re [5] MOTION to Compel More Responsive Answers to First Request For Production of Documents Propounded to Defendant State of Rhode Island With Supporting Memo filed by State of Rhode Island. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit: Summons and Proof of Payment; # (2) Exhibit: Affidavit of Acting Superintendent Steven G. O'Donnell)(Baum, Brenda)

1 Exhibit Summons and Proof of Payment

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2 Exhibit Affidavit of Acting Superintendent Steven G. O'Donnell

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April 20, 2007

April 20, 2007

RECAP
9

RULE 16 STATEMENT by Astrid G. Estrada. (Formisano, V.)

May 9, 2007

May 9, 2007

RECAP
10

ORDER denying [5] Motion to Compel Production . So Ordered by Magistrate Judge David L. Martin on 5/10/07. (Saucier, Martha)

May 10, 2007

May 10, 2007

RECAP
11

SCHEDULING ORDER: Discovery due by 11/16/2007; Motions due by 11/30/2007; Pretrial Memorandum due by 12/17/2007 -- So Ordered by Chief Judge Mary M Lisi on 5/17/07. (Barletta, Barbara)

May 17, 2007

May 17, 2007

RECAP
12

Joint MOTION for an Extension of Time for Pretrial Order Deadlines by all plaintiffs.Responses due by 11/26/2007 (Formisano, V.)

Nov. 8, 2007

Nov. 8, 2007

RECAP
13

NOTICE to Take Deposition by Astrid G. Estrada of Trooper Donohue (Formisano, V.)

Jan. 11, 2008

Jan. 11, 2008

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14

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Astrid G. Estrada (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
15

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Wendy M. Estrada (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
16

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Carlos E. Tamup (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
17

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Guilfredo E. Munoz (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
18

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Jose A. Aquino (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
19

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Cruz F. Rivera (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
20

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Jose Burgos (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
21

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Abelino M. Urizar (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
22

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Israel Tebalan (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
23

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Rolando Noriega (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
24

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Boris R. Cruz (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
25

NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Elsa Hernandez Vila Vicencio (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 14, 2008

Jan. 14, 2008

RECAP
26

Joint MOTION to Extend Discovery Deadlines by all parties.Responses due by 2/19/2008 (Baum, Brenda)

Jan. 30, 2008

Jan. 30, 2008

RECAP
27

NOTICE to Take Deposition by Astrid G. Estrada of Trooper Donahue (Formisano, V.)

March 14, 2008

March 14, 2008

RECAP
28

NOTICE to Take Foreign Deposition from Wendy M. Estrada., filed by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot.(Baum, Brenda)

March 19, 2008

March 19, 2008

RECAP
29

NOTICE to Take Foreign Deposition from Abelino M. Urizar., filed by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot.(Baum, Brenda)

March 19, 2008

March 19, 2008

RECAP
30

NOTICE to Take Foreign Deposition from Astrid G. Estrada., filed by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot.(Baum, Brenda)

March 19, 2008

March 19, 2008

RECAP
31

NOTICE by Astrid G. Estrada To Take Deposition of Trooper Donohue (Formisano, V.)

April 15, 2008

April 15, 2008

RECAP
32

Assented MOTION for an Extension of Time For Defendants to file Summary Judgment Motion by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot. Responses due by 5/8/2008 (Baum, Brenda)

April 21, 2008

April 21, 2008

RECAP
33

NOTICE of Appearance by John M. Moreira on behalf of all defendants (Moreira, John)

May 5, 2008

May 5, 2008

RECAP
34

Second MOTION for an Extension of Time To File Motion for Summary Judgment by all defendants. Responses due by 5/27/2008 (Baum, Brenda)

May 7, 2008

May 7, 2008

RECAP
35

MOTION for Summary Judgment With Supporting Memo by all defendants. Responses due by 6/9/2008 (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A, # (2) Exhibit B, # (3) Exhibit C, # (4) Exhibit D, # (5) Exhibit E, # (6) Exhibit F, # (7) Exhibit G, # (8) Exhibit H, # (9) Exhibit I, # (10) Exhibit J, # (11) Exhibit K, # (12) Exhibit L, # (13) Exhibit M, # (14) Exhibit N, # (15) Exhibit O, # (16) Exhibit P-1, # (17) Exhibit P-2, # (18) Exhibit Q, # (19) Exhibit R, # (20) Exhibit S, # (21) Errata T, # (22) Exhibit U, # (23) Exhibit V, # (24) Exhibit W)(Moreira, John)

1 Exhibit A

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2 Exhibit B

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3 Exhibit C

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4 Exhibit D

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5 Exhibit E

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6 Exhibit F

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7 Exhibit G

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8 Exhibit H

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9 Exhibit I

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10 Exhibit J

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11 Exhibit K

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12 Exhibit L

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13 Exhibit M

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14 Exhibit N

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15 Exhibit O

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16 Exhibit P-1

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17 Exhibit P-2

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18 Exhibit Q

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19 Exhibit R

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20 Exhibit S

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21 Errata T

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22 Exhibit U

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23 Exhibit V

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24 Exhibit W

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May 22, 2008

May 22, 2008

RECAP
36

STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED FACTS by all defendants re [35] MOTION for Summary Judgment. (Moreira, John)

May 22, 2008

May 22, 2008

RECAP
37

MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment by Astrid G. Estrada. Responses due by 6/9/2008 (Formisano, V.)

May 22, 2008

May 22, 2008

RECAP
38

MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT by Astrid G. Estrada in support of [37] MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit, # (2) Exhibit, # (3) Exhibit, # (4) Exhibit, # (5) Exhibit)(Formisano, V.)

1 Exhibit

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2 Exhibit

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3 Exhibit

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4 Exhibit

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5 Exhibit

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May 22, 2008

May 22, 2008

RECAP
39

STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED FACTS IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT by Astrid G. Estrada. (Formisano, V.)

May 22, 2008

May 22, 2008

RECAP
40

MOTION for an Extension of Time to File Response/Reply TO DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT by Astrid G. Estrada. Responses due by 6/23/2008 (Formisano, V.)

June 4, 2008

June 4, 2008

RECAP
41

Assented MOTION for an Extension of Time to File Objection and Memorandum to Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment by all defendants. Responses due by 6/23/2008 (Baum, Brenda)

June 6, 2008

June 6, 2008

RECAP
42

RESPONSE in OPPOSITION re [37] MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by all defendants. (Attachments: # (1) Supplemental Exhibit M)(Moreira, John)

1 Exhibit Supplemental Exhibit M

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June 27, 2008

June 27, 2008

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43

STATEMENT OF DISPUTED FACTS re [42] Response in Opposition to [37] MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by all defendants. (Moreira, John) Modified on 6/27/2008 to correct document description, and to add link to Deft's Response in Opposition. (Duhamel, John).

June 27, 2008

June 27, 2008

RECAP
44

RESPONSE in Opposition re [35] MOTION for Summary Judgment With Supporting Memo filed by all plaintiffs. (Formisano, V.)

June 30, 2008

June 30, 2008

RECAP
45

MOTION to Strike Affidavit of Cort Burke With Supporting Memo by all plaintiffs. Responses due by 7/17/2008 (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A, # (2) Exhibit B, # (3) Exhibit C)(Formisano, V.)

1 Exhibit A

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2 Exhibit B

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3 Exhibit C

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June 30, 2008

June 30, 2008

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46

Joint MOTION for an Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to [44] Response in Opposition to Motion, [42] Response to Motion for Summary Judgment; by all parties. Responses due by 7/28/2008 (Moreira, John)

July 9, 2008

July 9, 2008

RECAP
47

RESPONSE in Opposition re [45] MOTION to Strike Affidavit of Cort Burke filed by all defendants. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A, # (2) Exhibit B, # (3) Exhibit C)(Baum, Brenda) SEE Document [48] for corrected Response in Opposition. (Duhamel, John).

1 Exhibit A

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2 Exhibit B

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3 Exhibit C

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July 17, 2008

July 17, 2008

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48

CORRECTED RESPONSE in Opposition re [45] MOTION to Strike Affidavit of Cort Burke filed by all defendants. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A, # (2) Exhibit B, # (3) Exhibit C)(Baum, Brenda)

1 Exhibit A

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2 Exhibit B

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3 Exhibit C

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July 17, 2008

July 17, 2008

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49

Assented MOTION for an Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to [35] MOTION for Summary Judgment by all defendants. Responses due by 8/18/2008 (Baum, Brenda)

July 31, 2008

July 31, 2008

RECAP
50

REPLY to Response to Motion re [44] Response in Opposition to Motion for Summary Judgment filed by all defendants. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit M)(Baum, Brenda)

1 Exhibit M

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Aug. 4, 2008

Aug. 4, 2008

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51

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER denying [45] Motion to Strike the Affidavit of Cort Burke- So Ordered by Chief Judge Mary M Lisi on 8/18/08. (Barletta, Barbara)

Aug. 18, 2008

Aug. 18, 2008

RECAP
52

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER granting Defendants' 35 Motion for Summary Judgment; denying Plaintiffs' 37 Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. So Ordered by Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi on 12/30/2008. (Duhamel, John) (Entered: 12/31/2008)

Dec. 30, 2008

Dec. 30, 2008

53

JUDGMENT in favor of State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot against Abelino M. Urizar, Astrid G. Estrada, Boris Cruz, Carlos E. Tamup, Cruz F. Rivera, Elsa Hernandez Vilavicencio, Guilfredo E. Munoz, Israel Tebalan, Jose Burgos, Jose A. Aquino, Rolando Noriega, Wendy M. Estrada. Entered by Deputy Clerk on 12/31/2008. (Duhamel, John) (Entered: 12/31/2008)

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2008

54

NOTICE OF APPEAL by Astrid G. Estrada et al. Appeal Record due by 2/23/2009. (Formisano, V.) (Entered: 01/23/2009)

Jan. 23, 2009

Jan. 23, 2009

57

USCA Appeal Fees received $ 455 receipt number 14670000319 re 54 Notice of Appeal filed by Astrid G. Estrada (Farrell Pletcher, Paula) (Entered: 03/25/2009)

Jan. 26, 2009

Jan. 26, 2009

55

CLERK'S CERTIFICATE Re: 54 Notice of Appeal filed by Astrid G. Estrada, et al. (Duhamel, John) (Entered: 01/27/2009)

Jan. 27, 2009

Jan. 27, 2009

56

Certified and Transmitted Record on Appeal to US Court of Appeals re 54 Notice of Appeal. Forwarded case file; certified docket. (Duhamel, John) (Entered: 01/27/2009)

Jan. 27, 2009

Jan. 27, 2009

58

Supplemental Record on Appeal transmitted to US Court of Appeals re 54 Notice of Appeal (Farrell Pletcher, Paula) (Entered: 03/25/2009)

March 25, 2009

March 25, 2009

59

SLIP OPINION of USCA as to 54 Notice of Appeal filed by Astrid G. Estrada. (Duhamel, John) (Entered: 02/05/2010)

Feb. 5, 2010

Feb. 5, 2010

60

USCA JUDGMENT (entered 2/4/2010) as to 54 Notice of Appeal filed by Astrid G. Estrada. −− The judgment of the district court is affirmed. (Duhamel, John) (Entered: 02/05/2010)

Feb. 5, 2010

Feb. 5, 2010

61

MANDATE of USCA (USCA Judgment entered 2/4/20100 as to 54 Notice of Appeal filed by Astrid G. Estrada. −− Judgment of the district court is affirmed. (Duhamel, John) (Entered: 03/01/2010)

March 1, 2010

March 1, 2010

Case Details

State / Territory: Rhode Island

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 8, 2007

Closing Date: March 1, 2010

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

14 Guatemalans stopped on I-95 by the Rhode Island State Police

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU National (all projects)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Rhode Island State Police, State

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

42 U.S.C. § 1981

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Unreasonable search and seizure

Federalism (including 10th Amendment)

Equal Protection

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Non-settlement Outcome

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

General:

Search policies

Discrimination-basis:

National origin discrimination

Race discrimination

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

Undocumented immigrants - state and local regulation