COVID-19: This is a habeas action filed by nine immigration detainees confined in the Caroline and Farmville Detention Centers, seeking either writs of habeas corpus for each petitioner, or in the alternative, injunctive relief. The petitioners alleged that they were particularly vulnerable to the virus, either due to medical conditions or their age. The plaintiffs' TRO was denied on April 29. The decision was appealed, but the plaintiffs later dismissed the appeal and the underlying district court litigation.

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On April 9, 2020, nine immigration detainees filed this lawsuit against ICE, the warden of the Farmville Detention Center, the Superintendent of the Caroline Detention Center, and the Field Office Director of the ICE Washington Field Office. Represented by the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition, the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, and the Legal Aid Justice Center, the petitioners sought writs of habeas corpus under, or in the alternative injunctive and declaratory relief for violations of their Fifth Amendment Due Process rights and the Rehabilitation Act.

The case was assigned to Judge Liam O'Grady and Magistrate Judge John F. Anderson.

The plaintiffs filed a motion for a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction on April 13.

On April 29, Judge O'Grady denied the motion for a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction because the plaintiffs had failed to carry their burden. The plaintiffs filed an appeal with the Fourth Circuit on May 8 (Docket No. 20-6695).

On October 6, the plaintiffs filed a motino to dismiss the appeal, and back in the district court, on October 8, the plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal. Judge O'Grady dismissed the case without prejudice on October 14.

Caitlin Kierum - 10/26/2020


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