Case: Americans for Immigrant Justice v. CBP

1:14-cv-20945 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Filed Date: March 13, 2014

Closed Date: 2015

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On March 13, 2014, a non-profit law firm advocating for the rights of immigrants, Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice), filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The case was assigned to Judge Kathleen Williams. AI Justice sued U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). After interviewing immigrant detainees who reported having been kept in cold, overcrowded holdin…

On March 13, 2014, a non-profit law firm advocating for the rights of immigrants, Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice), filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The case was assigned to Judge Kathleen Williams. AI Justice sued U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). After interviewing immigrant detainees who reported having been kept in cold, overcrowded holding cells for days on end, AI Justice had filed a FOIA request in March 2013, asking the defendants to provide documents regarding their temporary holding policies and the conditions in the temporary holding cells in the Rio Grande Valley sector. The defendants had not responded to the request within the applicable time period and still had not responded a year later. AI Justice sought declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and attorney’s fees.

The defendants completed their initial document search and issued a response to the plaintiff’s FOIA request on March 9, 2015. The defendants produced responsive documents to some but not all parts of the plaintiff’s request. Pursuant to FOIA exemptions, the defendants redacted portions of the documents that contained personal information or information used by law enforcement. Unsatisfied, AI Justice argued that the defendants’ search was inadequately thorough and the FOIA exemptions were inappropriate.

The parties conferred and began collaborating to resolve the issues between them. These conferences lasted for several months and took place entirely without intervention of the court. The parties sought to postpone their trial date several times while they attempted to reach a settlement.

On August 26, 2015, the parties jointly moved to remove this case from the trial calendar, as they had resolved all of their disputes regarding the FOIA request and now only disagreed on whether the plaintiff should receive attorney’s fees. Five days later, the court granted the parties’ motion and requested that they file a stipulation of mootness. The parties resolved their dispute regarding attorney’s fees before filing that stipulation of mootness on September 8, 2015. The defendants agreed to pay the plaintiff $8,750.00. The next day, Judge Williams dismissed the case.

This case presumably closed in September 2015. Nothing else appears on the docket after the case’s dismissal.

Summary Authors

Rebecca Strauss (6/4/2018)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13228920/parties/americans-for-immigrant-justice-v-united-states-customs-and-border/


Judge(s)

Williams, Kathleen Mary (Florida)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Santos-Bourne, Jennie (Florida)

Attorney for Defendant

Raurell, Carlos Javier (Florida)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Anderson, Joseph (Florida)

Judge(s)

Williams, Kathleen Mary (Florida)

Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant
Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:14-cv-20945

Docket [PACER]

Sept. 10, 2015

Sept. 10, 2015

Docket
1

1:14-cv-20945

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

March 13, 2014

March 13, 2014

Complaint
33

1:14-cv-20945

Joint Stipulation of Mootness

Sept. 8, 2015

Sept. 8, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13228920/americans-for-immigrant-justice-v-united-states-customs-and-border/

Last updated March 24, 2024, 3:07 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants. Filing fees $ 400.00 receipt number 113C−6563918, filed by Americans for Immigrant Justice. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summon(s) to CBP, # 3 Summon(s) to DHS, # 4 Summon(s) to DOJ, # 5 Summon(s) to USAO SDFL)(Anderson, Joseph) (Entered: 03/13/2014)

March 13, 2014

March 13, 2014

2

Judge Assignment to Judge Kathleen M. Williams (ail) (Entered: 03/13/2014)

March 13, 2014

March 13, 2014

3

Summons Issued as to United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (ail) (Entered: 03/13/2014)

March 13, 2014

March 13, 2014

5

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 4 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer RE: Complaint. Defendants shall file their response to Plaintiff's Complaint on or before May 30, 2014. Signed by Judge Kathleen M. Williams on 4/3/2014. (sh00) (Entered: 04/03/2014)

April 3, 2014

April 3, 2014

6

Case Reassignment of Paired Magistrate Judge pursuant to Administrative Order(s) 2013−63 to Magistrate Judge Andrea M. Simonton. Magistrate Judge William C. Turnoff no longer assigned to case. (dm) (Entered: 04/04/2014)

April 4, 2014

April 4, 2014

7

Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer RE: Complaints re 1 Complaint, by United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Department of Homeland Security. (Raurell, Carlos) (Entered: 06/04/2014)

June 4, 2014

June 4, 2014

8

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 7 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer RE: Complaints. Defendants shall file their response to Plaintiff's Complaint on or before July 7, 2014. Signed by Judge Kathleen M. Williams on 6/4/2014. (sh00) (Entered: 06/04/2014)

June 4, 2014

June 4, 2014

9

Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer RE: Complaints re 1 Complaint, by United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Department of Homeland Security. (Raurell, Carlos) (Entered: 07/07/2014)

July 7, 2014

July 7, 2014

10

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 9 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer RE: Complaint. Defendants shall file their response to Plaintiff's Complaint on or before August 8, 2014. Signed by Judge Kathleen M. Williams on 7/7/2014. (sh00) (Entered: 07/07/2014)

July 7, 2014

July 7, 2014

11

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Jennie Santos−Bourne on behalf of Americans for Immigrant Justice. Attorney Jennie Santos−Bourne added to party Americans for Immigrant Justice(pty:pla). (Santos−Bourne, Jennie) (Entered: 07/29/2014)

July 29, 2014

July 29, 2014

12

Defendant's MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer RE: Complaints re 1 Complaint, by United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Department of Homeland Security. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Raurell, Carlos) (Entered: 08/07/2014)

Aug. 7, 2014

Aug. 7, 2014

13

PAPERLESS ORDER granting 12 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer RE: Complaints. Defendants shall file their responses to Plaintiff's Complaint on or before September 8, 2014. Signed by Judge Kathleen M. Williams on 8/7/2014. (sh00) (Entered: 08/07/2014)

Aug. 7, 2014

Aug. 7, 2014

14

ANSWER to Complaint by United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Department of Homeland Security. (Raurell, Carlos) (Entered: 09/08/2014)

Sept. 8, 2014

Sept. 8, 2014

15

Order Requiring Joint Pre−Trial Scheduling Report −Joint Pre−Trial Scheduling Report due by 9/29/2014 Signed by Judge Kathleen M. Williams on 9/8/2014. (ail) (Entered: 09/09/2014)

Sept. 9, 2014

Sept. 9, 2014

16

NOTICE by Americans for Immigrant Justice Joint Pre−Trial Conference Report (Santos−Bourne, Jennie) Modified to re−docket, see 17 Joint Pre−Trial Scheduling Report on 9/29/2014 (asl). (Entered: 09/26/2014)

Sept. 26, 2014

Sept. 26, 2014

17

Joint Pre−Trial SCHEDULING REPORT − Rule 16.1 by Americans for Immigrant Justice. See 16 for image (asl) (Entered: 09/29/2014)

Sept. 26, 2014

Sept. 26, 2014

18

Clerks Notice to Filer re 16 Notice (Other). Wrong Event Selected ; ERROR − The Filer selected the wrong event. The document was re−docketed by the Clerk, see 17 . It is not necessary to refile this document. (asl) (Entered: 09/29/2014)

Sept. 29, 2014

Sept. 29, 2014

19

SCHEDULING ORDER: ( Jury Trial set for 6/29/2015 before Judge Kathleen M. Williams., Calendar Call set for 6/23/2015 11:00 AM in Miami Division before Judge Kathleen M. Williams., Amended Pleadings due by 10/31/2014., Discovery due by 3/27/2015., Expert Discovery due by 3/27/2015., Joinder of Parties due by 10/31/2014., Mediation Deadline 5/1/2015., In Limine Motions due by 5/26/2015., Dispositive Motions due by 4/10/2015., Joint Pretrial Stipulation due by 5/26/2015.), ORDER REFERRING CASE to Mediation. ( Mediation Deadline 5/1/2015.), ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Andrea M. Simonton for Pretrial Non−Dispositive Matters Signed by Judge Kathleen M. Williams on 10/24/2014. (ots) (Entered: 10/27/2014)

Oct. 24, 2014

Oct. 24, 2014

20

Unopposed MOTION to be Excused from Mediation by United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Department of Homeland Security. (Raurell, Carlos) (Entered: 12/01/2014)

Dec. 1, 2014

Dec. 1, 2014

21

ORDER granting 20 Unopposed MOTION to be Excused from Mediation. Signed by Judge Kathleen M. Williams on 12/2/2014. (ail) (Entered: 12/03/2014)

Dec. 3, 2014

Dec. 3, 2014

22

Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Dispositive Motions and for Removal of Case from Trial Calendar by United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Department of Homeland Security. Responses due by 4/23/2015 (Raurell, Carlos) (Entered: 04/06/2015)

April 6, 2015

April 6, 2015

23

Plaintiff's MOTION for Summary Judgment and Memorandum of Law in Support by Americans for Immigrant Justice. Responses due by 4/27/2015 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A−D)(Santos−Bourne, Jennie) (Entered: 04/10/2015)

April 10, 2015

April 10, 2015

24

Defendant's MOTION for Summary Judgment by United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Department of Homeland Security. Responses due by 4/27/2015 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit AI Justice FOIA Request, # 2 Exhibit CBP Written March 9, 2015 Response, # 3 Exhibit AI Justice March 20 Reply, # 4 Exhibit CBP's April 1, 2015 Response to AIJ, # 5 Exhibit Index of Records Produced, # 6 Exhibit Declaration of Patrick Howard)(Raurell, Carlos) (Entered: 04/10/2015)

April 10, 2015

April 10, 2015

25

ORDER granting 22 Joint Motion for Extension of Time to File Dispositive Motions and for Removal of Case from Trial Calendar. Dispositive Motions due by 6/26/2015. Calendar Call set for 9/15/2015 11:00 AM in Miami Division before Judge Kathleen M. Williams. Jury Trial reset for 9/21/2015 in Miami Division before Judge Kathleen M. Williams. Signed by Judge Kathleen M. Williams on 4/10/2015. (ls) (Entered: 04/13/2015)

April 10, 2015

April 10, 2015

26

WITHDRAWAL of Motion by United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Customs and Border Protection re 23 Plaintiff's MOTION for Summary Judgment and Memorandum of Law in Support filed by Americans for Immigrant Justice, 24 Defendant's MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Department of Homeland Security (Raurell, Carlos) (Entered: 04/13/2015)

April 13, 2015

April 13, 2015

27

Stay AND Extension of Time

June 16, 2015

June 16, 2015

PACER
27

Stay AND Extension of Time

June 16, 2015

June 16, 2015

PACER
27

Stay AND Extension of Time

June 16, 2015

June 16, 2015

PACER
27

Stay AND Extension of Time

June 16, 2015

June 16, 2015

PACER
27

Stay AND Extension of Time

June 16, 2015

June 16, 2015

PACER
27

Stay AND Extension of Time

June 16, 2015

June 16, 2015

PACER
27

Stay AND Extension of Time

June 16, 2015

June 16, 2015

PACER
27

Stay AND Extension of Time

June 16, 2015

June 16, 2015

PACER
28

Order on Motion to Stay AND Order on Motion for Extension of Time

June 17, 2015

June 17, 2015

PACER
28

Order on Motion to Stay AND Order on Motion for Extension of Time

June 17, 2015

June 17, 2015

PACER
28

Order on Motion to Stay AND Order on Motion for Extension of Time

June 17, 2015

June 17, 2015

PACER
28

Order on Motion to Stay AND Order on Motion for Extension of Time

June 17, 2015

June 17, 2015

PACER
28

Order on Motion to Stay AND Order on Motion for Extension of Time

June 17, 2015

June 17, 2015

PACER
28

Order on Motion to Stay AND Order on Motion for Extension of Time

June 17, 2015

June 17, 2015

PACER
28

Order on Motion to Stay AND Order on Motion for Extension of Time

June 17, 2015

June 17, 2015

PACER
28

Order on Motion to Stay AND Order on Motion for Extension of Time

June 17, 2015

June 17, 2015

PACER
29

Miscellaneous Relief

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER
29

Miscellaneous Relief

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER
29

Miscellaneous Relief

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER
29

Miscellaneous Relief

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER
29

Miscellaneous Relief

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER
29

Miscellaneous Relief

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER
29

Miscellaneous Relief

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER
29

Miscellaneous Relief

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER

Order Setting Hearing on Motion

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER

Order Setting Hearing on Motion

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER

Order Setting Hearing on Motion

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER

Order Setting Hearing on Motion

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER

Order Setting Hearing on Motion

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER

Order Setting Hearing on Motion

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER

Order Setting Hearing on Motion

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER

Order Setting Hearing on Motion

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

PACER
30

PAPERLESS ORDER setting telephonic hearing on 29 the Parties' joint motion for removal of case from trial calendar. The hearing is set for August 31, 2015 at 3:00 PM by telephone before Judge Kathleen M. Williams. Signed by Judge Kathleen M. Williams on 8/26/2015. (lky) (Entered: 08/26/2015)

Aug. 26, 2015

Aug. 26, 2015

32

Order

Sept. 1, 2015

Sept. 1, 2015

PACER
32

Order

Sept. 1, 2015

Sept. 1, 2015

PACER
32

Order

Sept. 1, 2015

Sept. 1, 2015

PACER
32

Order

Sept. 1, 2015

Sept. 1, 2015

PACER
32

Order

Sept. 1, 2015

Sept. 1, 2015

PACER
32

Order

Sept. 1, 2015

Sept. 1, 2015

PACER
32

Order

Sept. 1, 2015

Sept. 1, 2015

PACER
32

Order

Sept. 1, 2015

Sept. 1, 2015

PACER
33

STIPULATION of Mootness by United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Department of Homeland Security (Raurell, Carlos) (Entered: 09/08/2015)

Sept. 8, 2015

Sept. 8, 2015

34

Order AND Order Dismissing Case

Sept. 10, 2015

Sept. 10, 2015

PACER
34

Order AND Order Dismissing Case

Sept. 10, 2015

Sept. 10, 2015

PACER
34

Order AND Order Dismissing Case

Sept. 10, 2015

Sept. 10, 2015

PACER
34

Order AND Order Dismissing Case

Sept. 10, 2015

Sept. 10, 2015

PACER
34

Order AND Order Dismissing Case

Sept. 10, 2015

Sept. 10, 2015

PACER
34

Order AND Order Dismissing Case

Sept. 10, 2015

Sept. 10, 2015

PACER
34

Order AND Order Dismissing Case

Sept. 10, 2015

Sept. 10, 2015

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Florida

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 13, 2014

Closing Date: 2015

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Americans for Immigrant Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

Americans for Immigrant Justice (previously FIAC)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

United States of America, Federal

United States of America, Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Attorneys fees

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Voluntary Dismissal

Amount Defendant Pays: $8,750.00

Content of Injunction:

Required disclosure

Issues

General:

Conditions of confinement

Juveniles

Language access/needs

Record-keeping

Records Disclosure

Totality of conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Confinement/isolation

Placement in detention facilities

Youth / Adult separation

Crowding / caseload

Discrimination-basis:

Immigration status

Type of Facility:

Government-run

Immigration/Border:

Detention - conditions

Detention - procedures

Family Separation