Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse

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

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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.

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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)

Martin, David L. (Rhode Island)

Torruella, Juan R. (Puerto Rico)

Attorneys(s) for Plaintiff

Baum, Brenda D. (Rhode Island)

Formisano, V. Edward (Rhode Island)

Attorneys(s) for Defendant

Lee, James R. (Rhode Island)

Moreira, John M. (Rhode Island)

Judge(s)

Lisi, Mary M. (Rhode Island)

Lynch, Sandra Lea (Massachusetts)

Martin, David L. (Rhode Island)

Torruella, Juan R. (Puerto Rico)

Attorneys(s) for Plaintiff

Baum, Brenda D. (Rhode Island)

Formisano, V. Edward (Rhode Island)

Attorneys(s) for Defendant

Lee, James R. (Rhode Island)

Moreira, John M. (Rhode Island)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
	Docket (PACER)	March 1, 2010	Docket
1	Complaint	Jan. 8, 2007	Complaint
	ACLU Files Racial Profiling Lawsuit Against Rhode Island State Police (1/8/2007) No Court	Jan. 8, 2007	Press Release
52	Memorandum and Order [Granting Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment]	Dec. 30, 2008	Order/Opinion
30	[First Circuit] Opinion [Affirming the District Court] U. S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit 594 F.3d 56	Feb. 4, 2010	Order/Opinion

Docket

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

Last updated May 13, 2022

ECF Number	Description	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 View on RECAP	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	RECAP
3	ANSWER to Complaint with Jury Demand by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot.(Baum, Brenda)	April 2, 2007	RECAP
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	RECAP
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	RECAP
6	AMENDED ANSWER to Complaint with Jury Demand by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot.(Baum, Brenda)	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	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 View on RECAP 2 Exhibit Affidavit of Acting Superintendent Steven G. O'Donnell View on RECAP	April 20, 2007	RECAP
9	RULE 16 STATEMENT by Astrid G. Estrada. (Formisano, V.)	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	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	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	RECAP
13	NOTICE to Take Deposition by Astrid G. Estrada of Trooper Donohue (Formisano, V.)	Jan. 11, 2008	RECAP
14	NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Astrid G. Estrada (Baum, Brenda)	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	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	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	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	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	RECAP
20	NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Jose Burgos (Baum, Brenda)	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	RECAP
22	NOTICE to Take Deposition by State of Rhode Island, Steven M. Pare, Thomas Chabot of Israel Tebalan (Baum, Brenda)	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	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	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	RECAP
26	Joint MOTION to Extend Discovery Deadlines by all parties.Responses due by 2/19/2008 (Baum, Brenda)	Jan. 30, 2008	RECAP
27	NOTICE to Take Deposition by Astrid G. Estrada of Trooper Donahue (Formisano, V.)	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	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	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	RECAP
31	NOTICE by Astrid G. Estrada To Take Deposition of Trooper Donohue (Formisano, V.)	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	RECAP
33	NOTICE of Appearance by John M. Moreira on behalf of all defendants (Moreira, John)	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	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 View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on RECAP 3 Exhibit C View on RECAP 4 Exhibit D View on RECAP 5 Exhibit E View on RECAP 6 Exhibit F View on RECAP 7 Exhibit G View on RECAP 8 Exhibit H View on RECAP 9 Exhibit I View on RECAP 10 Exhibit J View on RECAP 11 Exhibit K View on RECAP 12 Exhibit L View on RECAP 13 Exhibit M View on RECAP 14 Exhibit N View on RECAP 15 Exhibit O View on RECAP 16 Exhibit P-1 View on RECAP 17 Exhibit P-2 View on RECAP 18 Exhibit Q View on RECAP 19 Exhibit R View on RECAP 20 Exhibit S View on RECAP 21 Errata T View on RECAP 22 Exhibit U View on RECAP 23 Exhibit V View on RECAP 24 Exhibit W View on RECAP	May 22, 2008	RECAP
36	STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED FACTS by all defendants re [35] MOTION for Summary Judgment. (Moreira, John)	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	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 View on RECAP 2 Exhibit View on RECAP 3 Exhibit View on RECAP 4 Exhibit View on RECAP 5 Exhibit View on RECAP	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	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	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	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 View on RECAP	June 27, 2008	RECAP
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	RECAP
44	RESPONSE in Opposition re [35] MOTION for Summary Judgment With Supporting Memo filed by all plaintiffs. (Formisano, V.)	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 View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on RECAP 3 Exhibit C View on RECAP	June 30, 2008	RECAP
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	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 View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on RECAP 3 Exhibit C View on RECAP	July 17, 2008	RECAP
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 View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on RECAP 3 Exhibit C View on RECAP	July 17, 2008	RECAP
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	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 View on RECAP	Aug. 4, 2008	RECAP
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	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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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