Santa Fe Dreamers Project v. U.S. Customs & Border Protection, No. 1:20-cv-00490 (D.N.M., filed May 21, 2020)
In response to the Trump Administration’s implementation of a series of new policies designed to dissuade asylum seekers from coming to the United States, an increasing number of immigrants’ rights advocates began representing asylum seekers in the U.S.-Mexico border region. In late 2018 and early 2019, reports emerged that federal law enforcement was surveilling attorneys and immigrants’ rights advocates as a result of this increased human rights work. In mid-December 2018, federal officials subjected El Paso-area advocates to increased questioning and detention while traveling through ports of entry and abroad. In April 2019, the Santa Fe Dreamers Project (SFDP) submitted a Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) seeking records related to border enforcement and the potential targeting of human rights defenders by border enforcement agencies. SFDP did not receive a single responsive document.
On May 21, 2020, SFDP filed this FOIA lawsuit seeking to compel CBP to conduct a reasonable search and produce records responsive to their FOIA request. On June 24, 2020, Defendants filed their answer. Per their August scheduling order, Defendants were required to produce all responsive documents by November 6, 2020. However, on November 6, Defendants filed an unopposed motion to extend this production deadline. On December 28, the magistrate judge vacated all deadlines related to production of documents and briefing in the case, and on January 12, 2021, the magistrate judge ordered Defendants to produce all responsive documents no later than March 15, 2021.
Settlement conferences were held on April 6 and 7, 2021, and on June 14, 2021, after Defendants had agreed to pay fees and costs, Plaintiffs stipulated to dismiss the case.
Documents:
Counsel: Christopher Benoit, The Law Office of Lynn Coyle, PLLC
Contact: Christopher Benoit, The Law Office of Lynn Coyle, PLLC | chris@coylefirm.com
Hold CBP Accountable 