Case: American Immigration Lawyers Association v. Reno

1:97-cv-00597 | U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Filed Date: March 27, 1997

Closed Date: Aug. 20, 1998

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In 1998, three lawsuits were filed by immigration assistance organizations and individual aliens against federal immigration agencies and officials in the District Court of the District of Columbia. These suits challenged the summary removal provisions of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and its implementing regulations. The Act established a system for expediting the removal of aliens who arrived at the border but were not eligible for admission. The l…

In 1998, three lawsuits were filed by immigration assistance organizations and individual aliens against federal immigration agencies and officials in the District Court of the District of Columbia. These suits challenged the summary removal provisions of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and its implementing regulations. The Act established a system for expediting the removal of aliens who arrived at the border but were not eligible for admission. The lawsuits challenged the system on various grounds, including that it violated due process, equal protection, the First Amendment, and international treaties. The District Court (Judge Emmett G. Sullivan) consolidated the cases.

The government moved to dismiss the cases. The District Court (Judge Sullivan) dismissed all three cases, primarily on jurisdictional grounds. American Immigration Lawyers Association v. Reno, 18 F.Supp.2d 38 (D.D.C.1998). Plaintiffs appealed.

The Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit affirmed, holding that the organizational plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the lawsuit on behalf of aliens subjected to expedited removal. American Immigration Lawyers Association v. Reno. 199 F.3d 1352 (D.C. Cir. 2000). Plaintiffs filed a petition for rehearing, but subsequently withdrew it.

Summary Authors

Stephen Imm (8/13/2007)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Allred, James Claiborne (Virginia)

Corrigan, Terrence A. (District of Columbia)

Doyle, Thomas M. II (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant
Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Boggs, Roderic Van Oesen (District of Columbia)

Borrasca, Adelia S. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:97-cv-00597

Docket (PACER)

March 27, 1997

March 27, 1997

Docket

97-cv-01237

Docket (PACER)

Liberians United v. Reno

Aug. 20, 1998

Aug. 20, 1998

Docket

1:97-cv-01229

Docket (PACER)

Aug. 20, 1998

Aug. 20, 1998

Docket

98-05466

Appellate Docket (PACER)

U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

March 2, 2000

March 2, 2000

Docket

98-05463

Appellate Docket (PACER)

U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

March 2, 2000

March 2, 2000

Docket

98-05464

Appellate Docket (PACER)

Liberians United v. Reno

U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

March 2, 2000

March 2, 2000

Docket
36

1:97-cv-00597

1:97-cv-01229

97-cv-01237

Opinion

Aug. 20, 1998

Aug. 20, 1998

Order/Opinion

98-05463

98-05464

98-05466

Opinion

U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Jan. 11, 2000

Jan. 11, 2000

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated March 2, 2024, 3 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT filed by plaintiff AMER. IMMIG. LAWYERS, plaintiff DOMINICAN AMER. NATL, plaintiff PERLINA PEREZ, plaintiff FLOR AQUINO DEPACHECO, plaintiff JUNIOR DOE (bjsp) (Entered: 06/03/1997)

May 30, 1997

May 30, 1997

SUMMONS (2) issued to federal party(s) federal defendant JANET RENO , and non-parties: U.S. Attorney (bjsp) (Entered: 06/03/1997)

May 30, 1997

May 30, 1997

STATUS HEARING before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan : status hearing set for 10:00 7/15/97 ; Reporter: Frank Rangus (clv) (Entered: 06/13/1997)

June 13, 1997

June 13, 1997

STATUS HEARING before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan :; OTBP; Reporter: Frank Rangus (clv) (Entered: 07/15/1997)

July 15, 1997

July 15, 1997

2

ORDER by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan : Initial Status Conference set for 10:00 9/12/97 . Meet Confer Statement due 9/5/97 . (N) (clv) (Entered: 07/16/1997)

July 16, 1997

July 16, 1997

3

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for plaintiffs by Karen T. Grisez (clv) (Entered: 08/04/1997)

Aug. 1, 1997

Aug. 1, 1997

4

MOTION filed by plaintiff to extend time to 9/26/97 to file amended complaint (JMF) (Entered: 08/19/1997)

Aug. 18, 1997

Aug. 18, 1997

5

ORDER by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan : granting motion to extend time to 8/27/97 to file amended complaint [4-1] by JUNIOR DOE, FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO, PERLINA PEREZ, DOMINICAN AMER. NATL, AMER. IMMIG. LAWYERS; parties shall file their Rule 206 Report by 9/9/97;scheduling conference reset for 10:00 9/12/97 ; (N) (jwd) (Entered: 08/20/1997)

Aug. 19, 1997

Aug. 19, 1997

7

MOTION filed by federal defendant JANET RENO for a order to establish briefing schedule for motion to dismiss (bjsp) (Entered: 08/20/1997)

Aug. 19, 1997

Aug. 19, 1997

8

AMENDED COMPLAINT by plaintiff AMER. IMMIG. LAWYERS, plaintiff DOMINICAN AMER. NATL, plaintiff PERLINA PEREZ, plaintiff FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO adding plaintiff ELBA DIGNA WOOD, PERLINA PERZEZ, FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO, VELIA ISABEL HERNANDEZ DE SHERWOOD, MENG LI, CHARLOTTE LEAMING, NIGEL D. WILSON, ROSEMARY A. WILSON, SIMCHA YECHEL AVI ISHAK, ARLETY READ, VALENTINA KOSTINE, MICHAEL WALLACE, ROBERTO MORENZO-LOPEZ, FLORIDA IMMIGRANT, defendant DORIS MEISSNER, federal defendant ANTHONY MOSCATO, and amending complaint [1-1] . (bjsp) (Entered: 08/28/1997)

Aug. 27, 1997

Aug. 27, 1997

9

MOTION filed by plaintiffs' for leave to file corrected version of amended complaint EXHIBIT (amended complaint) (bjsp) (Entered: 08/28/1997)

Aug. 27, 1997

Aug. 27, 1997

10

JOINT MEET AND CONFER STATEMENT/REPORT PURSUANT TO L.R. 206(d) filed by plaintiff AMER. IMMIG. LAWYERS, plaintiff DOMINICAN AMER. NATL, plaintiff PERLINA PEREZ, plaintiff FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO, federal defendant JANET RENO, plaintiff ELBA DIGNA WOOD, plaintiff PERLINA PERZEZ, plaintiff FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO, plaintiff VELIA ISABEL HERNANDEZ DE SHERWOOD, plaintiff MENG LI, plaintiff CHARLOTTE LEAMING, plaintiff NIGEL D. WILSON, plaintiff ROSEMARY A. WILSON, plaintiff SIMCHA YECHEL AVI ISHAK, plaintiff ARLETY READ, plaintiff VALENTINA KOSTINE, plaintiff MICHAEL WALLACE, plaintiff ROBERTO MORENZO-LOPEZ, plaintiff FLORIDA IMMIGRANT, defendant DORIS MEISSNER, federal defendant ANTHONY MOSCATO . (bjsp) (Entered: 09/09/1997)

Sept. 8, 1997

Sept. 8, 1997

11

SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM by federal defendant JANET RENO, defendant DORIS MEISSNER, federal defendant ANTHONY MOSCATO to joint Meet & Confer statement [10-1] by federal defendants and plaintiffs (bjsp) (Entered: 09/09/1997)

Sept. 8, 1997

Sept. 8, 1997

INITIAL STATUS CONFERENCE before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan : Motion hearing set for 10:00 12/15/97 .; OTBP; Court Reporter: Susan Tyner (clv) (Entered: 09/12/1997)

Sept. 12, 1997

Sept. 12, 1997

12

SCHEDULING ORDER by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan; motions to dismiss due by 10/10/97; oppositions due by 11/10/97; replies due by 11/24/97; by 11/24/97 points and authorities due by counsel; hearing on the motions to dismiss scheduled for 12/15/97 at 10:00 a.m.; (N) (clv) (Entered: 09/16/1997)

Sept. 16, 1997

Sept. 16, 1997

13

MOTION filed by federal defendant JANET RENO, defendant DORIS MEISSNER, federal defendant ANTHONY MOSCATO to dismiss amended complaint for lack of jurisdiction and failure to state claim upon which relief can be granted [8-1] (bjsp) (Entered: 10/14/1997)

Oct. 10, 1997

Oct. 10, 1997

15

RESPONSE by plaintiffs' in opposition to motion to dismiss amended complaint for lack of jurisdiction and failure to state claim upon which relief can be granted [8-1] [13-1] by ANTHONY MOSCATO, DORIS MEISSNER, JANET RENO . (bjsp) (Entered: 11/12/1997)

Nov. 11, 1997

Nov. 11, 1997

16

(CORRECTED COPY) RESPONSE by plaintiff AMER. IMMIG. LAWYERS, plaintiff DOMINICAN AMER. NATL, plaintiff PERLINA PEREZ, plaintiff FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO, plaintiff ELBA DIGNA WOOD, plaintiff PERLINA PERZEZ, plaintiff FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO, plaintiff VELIA ISABEL HERNANDEZ DE SHERWOOD, plaintiff MENG LI, plaintiff CHARLOTTE LEAMING, plaintiff NIGEL D. WILSON, plaintiff ROSEMARY A. WILSON, plaintiff SIMCHA YECHEL AVI ISHAK, plaintiff ARLETY READ, plaintiff VALENTINA KOSTINE, plaintiff MICHAEL WALLACE, plaintiff ROBERTO MORENZO-LOPEZ, plaintiff FL IMMIGRANT in opposition to motion to dismiss amended complaint for lack of jurisdiction and failure to state claim upon which relief can be granted [8-1] [13-1] by ANTHONY MOSCATO, DORIS MEISSNER, JANET RENO . (bjsp) (Entered: 11/12/1997)

Nov. 11, 1997

Nov. 11, 1997

17

MEMORANDUM by federal defendant JANET RENO, defendant DORIS MEISSNER, federal defendant ANTHONY MOSCATO in support of motion to dismiss amended complaint for lack of jurisdiction and failure to state claim upon which relief can be granted [8-1] [13-1] by ANTHONY MOSCATO, DORIS MEISSNER, JANET RENO (bjsp) (Entered: 11/25/1997)

Nov. 24, 1997

Nov. 24, 1997

18

MOTION filed by plaintiff for leave to file second amended complaint EXHIBIT (amended complaint) (bjsp) (Entered: 11/26/1997)

Nov. 25, 1997

Nov. 25, 1997

19

RESPONSE by federal defendant JANET RENO, defendant DORIS MEISSNER, federal defendant ANTHONY MOSCATO in opposition to motion for leave to file second amended complaint [18-1] by plaintiff . (bjsp) (Entered: 12/08/1997)

Dec. 5, 1997

Dec. 5, 1997

20

MEMORANDUM by plaintiffs' in support of motion for leave to file second amended complaint [18-1] by plaintiffs (bjsp) (Entered: 12/15/1997)

Dec. 12, 1997

Dec. 12, 1997

21

ORDER by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan : motion hearing set for 11:00 12/22/97 ; (N) (clv) (Entered: 12/17/1997)

Dec. 17, 1997

Dec. 17, 1997

22

MOTION filed by plaintiff for Terrence A. Corrigan to appear pro hac vice ( Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20004-2505, (202) 639-7043) (lpp) (Entered: 12/22/1997)

Dec. 19, 1997

Dec. 19, 1997

STATUS HEARING before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan : motion hearing set for 10:00 1/12/98 ; Reporter: Frank Rangus (clv) (Entered: 12/22/1997)

Dec. 22, 1997

Dec. 22, 1997

23

ORDER by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan : granting motion for Terrence A. Corrigan to appear pro hac vice ( Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20004-2505, (202) 639-7043) [22-1] by plaintiff (N) (clv) (Entered: 12/29/1997)

Dec. 29, 1997

Dec. 29, 1997

MOTION HEARING before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan by plaintiff motion for leave to file second amended complaint [18-1] heard and taken under advisement, by ANTHONY MOSCATO, DORIS MEISSNER, JANET RENO motion to dismiss amended complaint for lack of jurisdiction and failure to state claim upon which relief can be granted [8-1] [13-1] heard and taken under advisement Reporter: Teresa Sorenson (clv) (Entered: 01/13/1998)

Jan. 12, 1998

Jan. 12, 1998

25

SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM by plaintiff in support of their opposition filed on 11/11/97 in response to defendants' motion to dismiss the complaint [16-1] by plaintiff, in opposition to response [15-1] by plaintiff (bjsp) (Entered: 01/21/1998)

Jan. 20, 1998

Jan. 20, 1998

26

NOTICE OF FILING by plaintiffs' to the Court RE: the filing of an amendment to prayer for relief (bjsp) (Entered: 01/21/1998)

Jan. 20, 1998

Jan. 20, 1998

27

SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM by federal defendant JANET RENO, defendant DORIS MEISSNER, federal defendant ANTHONY MOSCATO in support of motion to dismiss amended complaint for lack of jurisdiction and failure to state claim upon which relief can be granted [8-1] [13-1] by ANTHONY MOSCATO, DORIS MEISSNER, JANET RENO; exhibits 3 (bjsp) (Entered: 01/29/1998)

Jan. 28, 1998

Jan. 28, 1998

28

RESPONSE by federal defendant JANET RENO, defendant DORIS MEISSNER, federal defendant ANTHONY MOSCATO in opposition to motion for leave to file second amended complaint [18-1] by plaintiff (to amend request for prayer for relief) . (bjsp) (Entered: 01/29/1998)

Jan. 28, 1998

Jan. 28, 1998

29

SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM by federal defendant JANET RENO, defendant DORIS MEISSNER, federal defendant ANTHONY MOSCATO modifying " cancellation of removal " argument in initial memorandum in support of motion to dismiss [27-1] by ANTHONY MOSCATO, DORIS MEISSNER, JANET RENO ; exhibits 1 (bjsp) (Entered: 02/11/1998)

Feb. 10, 1998

Feb. 10, 1998

30

RESPONSE by plaintiff AMER. IMMIG. LAWYERS, plaintiff DOMINICAN AMER. NATL, plaintiff PERLINA PEREZ, plaintiff FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO, plaintiff ELBA DIGNA WOOD, plaintiff PERLINA PERZEZ, plaintiff FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO, plaintiff VELIA ISABEL HERNANDEZ DE SHERWOOD, plaintiff MENG LI, plaintiff CHARLOTTE LEAMING, plaintiff NIGEL D. WILSON, plaintiff ROSEMARY A. WILSON, plaintiff SIMCHA YECHEL AVI ISHAK, plaintiff ARLETY READ, plaintiff VALENTINA KOSTINE, plaintiff MICHAEL WALLACE, plaintiff ROBERTO MORENZO-LOPEZ, plaintiff FL IMMIGRANT to supplemental memorandum [29-1] by ANTHONY MOSCATO, DORIS MEISSNER, JANET RENO (bjsp) (Entered: 02/20/1998)

Feb. 19, 1998

Feb. 19, 1998

31

REPLY by federal defendant JANET RENO, defendant DORIS MEISSNER, federal defendant ANTHONY MOSCATO to plaintiffs' response to defendants' supplemental memorandum filed on 2/10/98 modifying "cancellation of removal" argument [29-1] by ANTHONY MOSCATO, DORIS MEISSNER, JANET RENO (bjsp) (Entered: 02/25/1998)

Feb. 24, 1998

Feb. 24, 1998

32

ORDER by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan :directing plaintiffs to file memorandum of law by 3/25/98 at 5:00 p.m.; defendants response due by 3/27/98 5:00 p.m.; (N) (clv) (Entered: 03/20/1998)

March 20, 1998

March 20, 1998

33

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff AMER. IMMIG. LAWYERS, plaintiff DOMINICAN AMER. NATL, plaintiff PERLINA PEREZ, plaintiff FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO, plaintiff ELBA DIGNA WOOD, plaintiff PERLINA PERZEZ, plaintiff FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO, plaintiff VELIA ISABEL HERNANDEZ DE SHERWOOD, plaintiff MENG LI, plaintiff CHARLOTTE LEAMING, plaintiff NIGEL D. WILSON, plaintiff ROSEMARY A. WILSON, plaintiff SIMCHA YECHEL AVI ISHAK, plaintiff ARLETY READ, plaintiff VALENTINA KOSTINE, plaintiff MICHAEL WALLACE, plaintiff ROBERTO MORENZO-LOPEZ, plaintiff FL IMMIGRANT in opposition to motion to dismiss amended complaint for lack of jurisdiction and failure to state claim upon which relief can be granted [8-1] [13-1] by ANTHONY MOSCATO, DORIS MEISSNER, JANET RENO (COPY) original filed in 97 597 (bjsp) (Entered: 03/26/1998)

March 25, 1998

March 25, 1998

34

ORDER by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan : granting motion for leave to file corrected version of amended complaint [9-1] by plaintiff (N) (clv) (Entered: 03/27/1998)

March 27, 1998

March 27, 1998

35

AMENDED COMPLAINT by plaintiff AMER. IMMIG. LAWYERS, plaintiff DOMINICAN AMER. NATL, plaintiff PERLINA PEREZ, plaintiff ELBA DIGNA WOOD, plaintiff FLOR AQUINO DE PACHECO, plaintiff VELIA ISABEL HERNANDEZ DE SHERWOOD, plaintiff MENG LI, plaintiff CHARLOTTE LEAMING, plaintiff NIGEL D. WILSON, plaintiff ROSEMARY A. WILSON, plaintiff SIMCHA YECHEL AVI ISHAK, plaintiff ARLETY READ, plaintiff VALENTINA KOSTINE, plaintiff MICHAEL WALLACE, plaintiff ROBERTO MORENZO-LOPEZ, plaintiff FL IMMIGRANT adding , and amending complaint [1-1] . (bjsp) (Entered: 03/30/1998)

March 27, 1998

March 27, 1998

36

MEMORANDUM OPINION by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan (N) (mlp) (Entered: 08/20/1998)

Aug. 20, 1998

Aug. 20, 1998

37

MEMORANDUM ORDER by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan : granting motion to dismiss amended complaint for lack of jurisdiction and failure to state claim upon which relief can be granted [8-1] [13-1] by ANTHONY MOSCATO, DORIS MEISSNER, JANET RENO dismissing amended complaint and complaint [35-1] with prejudice; directing the Clerk to enter final jugment in favor of defendants and against all named plaintiffs. (N) (N) (mlp) (Entered: 08/20/1998)

Aug. 20, 1998

Aug. 20, 1998

38

FINAL JUDGMENT entered by Clerk of the Court in favor of defendants JANET RENO, DORIS MEISSNER, and ANTHONY MOSCATO against all named plaintiffs. (N) (mlp) (Entered: 08/20/1998)

Aug. 20, 1998

Aug. 20, 1998

39

AMENDED FINAL JUDGMENT by Clerk of the Court for federal defendant JANET RENO, defendant DORIS MEISSNER, federal defendant ANTHONY MOSCATO against all named plaintiffs. (N) (mlp) (Entered: 08/21/1998)

Aug. 21, 1998

Aug. 21, 1998

40

NOTICE OF APPEAL by plaintiff from order dismissing amended complaint and complaint [35-1] with prejudice; directing the Clerk to enter final jugment in favor of defendants and against all named plaintiffs. [37-1], order [37-2], order [38-1], order [39-1]. entered on: 8/20/98 and 8/21/98; $100.00 docketing and $5.00 filing fee paid; copies mailed to Anna Marie Gallagher, Karen T. Girsez, Terrence A. Corrigan and Linda Susan Wendtland. (tw) Modified on 09/23/1998 (Entered: 09/23/1998)

Sept. 21, 1998

Sept. 21, 1998

TRANSMITTED PRELIMINARY RECORD on appeal [40-1] by plaintiff to U.S. Court of Appeals (tw) (Entered: 09/23/1998)

Sept. 23, 1998

Sept. 23, 1998

USCA # 98-5466 assigned for appeal [40-1] by plaintiff (lkn) (Entered: 10/02/1998)

Oct. 1, 1998

Oct. 1, 1998

41

MEMORANDUM by federal defendant JANET RENO in opposition to plaintiff's motion for contempt and sanctions; Attachments (2). (lkn) (Entered: 10/02/1998)

Oct. 1, 1998

Oct. 1, 1998

42

CERTIFIED COPY of judgment filed in USCA dated 1/11/00, on appeal [40-1] , affirming the judgment of USDC . OPINION (ORIGINAL FILED IN 98-5464) USCA # 98-5464 (cjp) (Entered: 03/03/2000)

March 3, 2000

March 3, 2000

Case Details

State / Territory: District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 27, 1997

Closing Date: Aug. 20, 1998

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Ten immigrant assistance organizations and individual aliens challenging Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Washington Lawyers' Committee

ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

United States Attorney General, Federal

Immigration and Naturalization Service, Federal

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA)

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Admission - procedure

Constitutional rights

Deportation - procedure

Immigration lawyers