AI Justice Wins Landmark Settlement for Asylum Seeker Detained by CBP

In February 2016 AI Justice, along with co-counsel Kurzban, Kurzban, Weinger, Tetzeli and Pratt, P.A., settled a landmark Federal Tort Claims Act case on behalf of Alba Quiñonez Flores challenging the inhumane conditions of her detention in multiple holding stations operated by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along the southern Texas border. The holding cells are called hieleras (ice-boxes) because they are deliberately kept at low temperatures and are maintained in deplorable conditions. Ms. Quiñonez, like thousands of other immigrants detained by CBP every year, was held for several days in dirty, overcrowded cells with no mattress and denied access to proper medical care, clean drinking water, and basic hygiene products. AI Justice obtained a substantial monetary settlement of $80,000.00 on behalf of Ms. Quiñonez to compensate her for the damages suffered during her time in CBP custody. The suit, filed in New York District Court, also resulted in two precedent setting rulings regarding venue, which in the future should be instrumental in preventing the Government from forcing non-citizens to unnecessarily litigate cases far away from where they live.