Filed Date: Nov. 22, 2019
Closed Date: Jan. 26, 2022
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This case challenged the detention of an American military veteran in an immigration facility despite evidence of the veteran’s citizenship status.
On November 22, 2019, a 28-year-old United States citizen and marine officer filed a complaint against the Field Office Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Detroit Field Office, and two officers of ICE. The Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint was on April 20, 2024 adding as Defendants a supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer of ICE, and an additional ICE officer. Plaintiff was represented by the ACLU of Michigan and private counsel. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in front of Judge Laurie Jill Michelson.
The complaint stated that on November 21, 2018, the Plaintiff suffered a PTSD-related mental health episode and found himself on the roof of the Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids, where he was ultimately arrested. The complaint stated that at the time of arrest, the Plaintiff had in his possession his United States passport, military identification tags, and REAL ID. The complaint alleged that Defendants unlawfully targeted him for deportation and detained him for three days in ICE custody, despite knowing he was a United States citizen.
The Plaintiff alleged that Defendants violated 42 U.S.C. § 1985 by conspiring to deprive Plaintiff of the equal protection of the law and ignoring unequivocal evidence of the Plaintiff’s citizenship when targeting him for immigration enforcement. The complaint also alleged that Defendants violated 42 U.S.C. § 1986 by failing to take action to intervene and prevent the Plaintiff’s unlawful detention and violation of his constitutional rights. The complaint sought compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and any other relief the court deems proper.
On April 10, 2020, the Defendants filed a Motion to Transfer Venue. On May 6, 2020, while the motion was pending, three of the Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss the complaint. On August 24, 2020, another Defendant filed a separate Motion to Dismiss.
On October 8, 2020, the court granted Defendant’s Motion to Transfer Venue, reasoning that transfer served the convenience of the parties and witnesses. On October 9, 2020, the case was transferred to the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (under docket number 1:20-cv-00969) and assigned to District Judge Robert James Jonker. Following the transfer, the case was suspended at the request of Plaintiff’s counsel for a time due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. On July 12, 2021, the court held a hearing on the Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss.
The court granted the Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss on January 26, 2022, reasoning that the Plaintiff failed to state a claim of conspiracy against the Defendants in this case because 42 U.S.C. § 1985 did not apply to federal officials. Further, the court noted that because all Defendants were members of ICE, the conspiracy claim was additionally barred by the “Intracorporate Conspiracy Doctrine,” which states that a conspiracy cannot be formed among members of the same collective entity. Without an actionable conspiracy claim under 42 U.S.C. §1985, the court ruled that the Plaintiff’s second claim under 42 U.S.C. §1986 necessarily failed.
The court entered judgment in favor of the Defendants on January 26, 2022. The case is closed.
Summary Authors
Colton French (2/18/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16507998/parties/ramos-gomez-v-adducci/
Jonker, Robert James (Michigan)
Michelson, Laurie Jill (Michigan)
Aukerman, Miriam J. (Michigan)
Korobkin, Daniel S. (Michigan)
Long, Jeanne Frances (Michigan)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16507998/ramos-gomez-v-adducci/
Last updated Aug. 7, 2025, 11:01 p.m.
State / Territory: Michigan
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Nov. 22, 2019
Closing Date: Jan. 26, 2022
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiff is a 28-year-old US citizen and military veteran who was detained in an immigration facility following arrest.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Basis:
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions: