Case: Gonzalez Machado v. Ashcroft

2:02-cv-00066 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington

Filed Date: Feb. 19, 2002

Closed Date: 2002

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On February 19, 2002, attorneys with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Columbia Legal Services, the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and private firms filed suit on behalf of a 15-year-old Mexican orphan detainee in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, seeking to establish a right to appointed counsel under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment for detained, unaccompanied and indigent juvenile aliens facing deportation. Plaintiff sought declaratory and inju…

On February 19, 2002, attorneys with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Columbia Legal Services, the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and private firms filed suit on behalf of a 15-year-old Mexican orphan detainee in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, seeking to establish a right to appointed counsel under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment for detained, unaccompanied and indigent juvenile aliens facing deportation. Plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief and class certification.

Shortly after suit was filed, the District Court (Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle) issued a TRO, prohibiting the INS from removing the plaintiff until further order of the Court. On March 5, 2002, Judge Van Sickle entered a preliminary injunction, ordering the INS not to remove plaintiff from the U.S. or conduct deportation proceedings until further order of the Court. The Court appointed counsel to plaintiff for the limited purpose of securing his release from custody.

Plaintiff then filed a motion for class certification. The government opposed class certification and moved to dismiss the case. The District Court (Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle) dismissed the complaint, holding that undocumented aliens did not have a constitutional right to have lawyers appointed to represent them in deportation proceedings. Judge Van Sickle then dissolved the preliminary injunction, by order dated August 21, 2002. Plaintiff then accepted voluntary deportation and was returned to Mexico.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (12/12/2007)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/19401949/parties/machado-v-ashcroft/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Adams, Matthew H (Washington)

Arthur, Patricia J (Washington)

Brownstein, Rhonda (Washington)

Attorney for Defendant

Beatty, William Herbert (Washington)

Gorden, Michelle E (Washington)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

2:02-cv-00066

Docket (PACER)

Machado v. Ashcroft

Aug. 20, 2002

Aug. 20, 2002

Docket
3

2:02-cv-00066

Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

Feb. 19, 2002

Feb. 19, 2002

Complaint
69

2:02-cv-00066

Order Granting Motion to Dismiss

June 18, 2002

June 18, 2002

Order/Opinion

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/19401949/machado-v-ashcroft/

Last updated March 30, 2026, 4:47 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Feb. 19, 2002

RECEIVED Complaint - Receipt #none (IFP) (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
3 Feb. 19, 2002

COMPLAINT (Summons(es) issued) Fee-status: ifp Receipt #: ifp (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

Clearinghouse
4 Feb. 19, 2002

MOTION by plaintiffs for Class Certification (Class Action) (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
5 Feb. 19, 2002

Memorandum by plaintiffs in support of Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1] (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
6 Feb. 19, 2002

Declaration of Rhonda Brownstein in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1] (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
7 Feb. 19, 2002

Declaration of Nancy L Isserlis in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1] (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
8 Feb. 19, 2002

Declaration of Patricia J Arthur in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1] (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

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9 Feb. 19, 2002

Declaration of Matt Adams in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1] (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

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10 Feb. 19, 2002

Declaration of Atieno Odhiambo in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1] (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
11 Feb. 19, 2002

Notice by plaintiffs of hearing setting motion for Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1] (w/o oral argument 3/25/02 ) (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
12 Feb. 19, 2002

MOTION by plaintiffs to File Overlength Brief (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
13 Feb. 19, 2002

Notice by plaintiffs of hearing on Motion for Leave to File Overlength Brief LR 7.1(f) and (h) [12-1] (w/o oral argument 3/25/02 ) (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
14 Feb. 19, 2002

MOTION by plaintiffs for appointment of Guardian ad Litem (LR 17.1(a)) (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

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15 Feb. 19, 2002

Declaration of Atieno Odhiambo in Support of Motion for appointment of Guardian ad Litem (LR 17.1(a)) [14-1] (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
16 Feb. 19, 2002

Notice by plaintiffs of hearing setting motion for appointment of Guardian ad Litem (LR 17.1(a); LR 7.1(h)) [14-1] (w/o oral argument 3/25/02 ) (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
17 Feb. 19, 2002

Notice by plaintiffs of hearing on Motion for Permission to Participate Pro Hac Vice LR 83.2(c) Without Oral Argument 3/25/02 (CP) Modified on 02/22/2002 (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
2 Feb. 20, 2002

ORDER TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS by Magistrate Judge Cynthia Imbrogno (nunc pro tunc 2/19/02)(cc: all counsel) (CP) Modified on 02/22/2002 (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
18 Feb. 20, 2002

MOTION by plaintiffs to Participate pro hac vice (re: atty Rohit Nepal) (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
19 Feb. 20, 2002

MOTION by plaintiffs to Participate pro hac vice (re: Rhonda Brownstein) (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
20 Feb. 20, 2002

Declaration of Rohit Nepal in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1] (CP) (Entered: 02/20/2002)

RECAP
Feb. 25, 2002

Law Clerk assigned to case is 02 (PW)

21 Feb. 26, 2002

MOTION by plaintiffs Marcos Gonzalez Machado & David Groesbeck for temporary restraining order and for preliminary injunction (SAP) (Entered: 02/27/2002)

RECAP
22 Feb. 26, 2002

Memorandum by plaintiffs Marcos Gonzalez Machado, David Groesbeck in support of motion for temporary restraining order [21-1], motion for preliminary injunction [21-2] (SAP) (Entered: 02/27/2002)

RECAP
23 Feb. 26, 2002

Declaration of Daniel Smith by plaintiffs re motion for temporary restraining order [21-1], re motion for preliminary injunction [21-2] (SAP) (Entered: 02/27/2002)

RECAP
24 Feb. 26, 2002

Declaration of Margaret H. Taylor by plaintiffs re motion for temporary restraining order [21-1], re motion for preliminary injunction [21-2] (SAP) (Entered: 02/27/2002)

RECAP
25 Feb. 26, 2002

Declaration of Ann E. Benson by plaintiffs re motion for temporary restraining order [21-1], re motion for preliminary injunction [21-2] (SAP) (Entered: 02/27/2002)

RECAP
26 Feb. 26, 2002

Declaration of Marcos Gonzalez Machado by plaintiffs re motion for temporary restraining order [21-1], re motion for preliminary injunction [21-2] (SAP) (Entered: 02/27/2002)

RECAP
27 Feb. 26, 2002

Notice by plaintiffs of hearing setting motion for temporary restraining order [21-1] (w/o oral argument 2/26/02 ) (SAP) (Entered: 02/27/2002)

RECAP
28 Feb. 26, 2002

Notice by plaintiffs of hearing setting motion for preliminary injunction [21-2] (w/o oral argument 3/8/02 ) (SAP) (Entered: 02/27/2002)

RECAP
29 Feb. 26, 2002

MOTION by plaintiffs Marcos Gonzalez Machado, David Groesbeck for leave to file overlength brief (SAP) (Entered: 02/27/2002)

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30 Feb. 26, 2002

Notice by plaintiffs of hearing setting motion for leave to file overlength brief [29-1] (w/o oral argument 3/29/02 ) (SAP) (Entered: 02/27/2002)

RECAP
Feb. 26, 2002

End file #1 (docs 1-24) (SAP)

31 Feb. 27, 2002

TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER by Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle: INS shall not remove pltf Machado from USA prior to 3/7/02; telephonic hrg set for 10:00 3/5/02 Spokane, WA to determine if this order to remain in effect w/pltfs to initiate call; pltfs do not need to post a bond at this time (cc: all counsel via facsimile & mail) (SAP) (Entered: 02/27/2002)

RECAP
32 Feb. 27, 2002

AMENDED TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER by Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle: pltfs' mtn to file an overlength brief [12-1] is granted; pltfs' mtn for TRO [21-1] is granted in part & denied in part; INS shall not remove pltf Machado from USA prior to 3/7/02; telephonic hrg set 3/5/02 @ 10:00 w/pltfs to initiate call; pltfs do not need to post a bond at this time (cc: all counsel via facsimile & regular mail) (SAP) (Entered: 02/28/2002)

RECAP
Feb. 28, 2002

(PW)

33 March 5, 2002

MINUTES: Telephonic TRO hearing held before Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle Hrg Location: Spokane; Topper Baker court reporter (SAP) (Entered: 03/05/2002)

RECAP
34 March 5, 2002

ORDER by Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle granting motion for leave to file overlength brief [29-1], granted in part and denied in part [21-2] motion for preliminary injunction, INS shall not remove Marcos Gonzalez Machado from US prior to end of case or upon further order of the court; INS shall not conduct hrgs/proceedings re removal/deportation except upon order of the court; INS to permit access by Machado's counsel to all records; if parties have not reached agr by 3/6/02 12:00 pm re release of Machado from INS custody, then court appoints Marie Higuera to represent Machado for limited purpose of securing his release from INS custody w/atty's fees to be paid by dfts; bond requirement by pltf is waived; court to set expeditied schedling conf (cc: all counsel & atty Higuera via fax & mail) (SAP) Modified on 03/07/2002 (Entered: 03/07/2002)

RECAP
35 March 7, 2002

NOTICE of ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant Immigration and Nat; Atty William Herbert Beatty appearing (SAP) (Entered: 03/08/2002)

RECAP
March 12, 2002

Status Conference Notice ;telephonic status conf 8:30 4/19/02 Spokane, WA (PW)

36 March 20, 2002

OBJECTION by Federal defendants' to plaintiff's motions: to motion to Participate pro hac vice (re: Rhonda Brownstein) [19-1], motion to Participate pro hac vice (re: atty Rohit Nepal) [18-1], motion for appointment of Guardian ad Litem (LR 17.1(a)) [14-1], motion for Class (Class Action) [4-1] (SAP) (Entered: 03/20/2002)

RECAP
37 March 20, 2002

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief (SAP) (Entered: 03/20/2002)

RECAP
38 March 21, 2002

REPORTER'S TRANSCRIPT FILED. CR : Topper S Baker Judge Van Sickle City : Spokane, WA For date of 3/5/02 Type of Proceeding: Telephonic Hrg on TRO (CP) (Entered: 03/21/2002)

RECAP
39 March 22, 2002

NOTICE OF ADDRESS CORRECTION by plaintiff (CP) (Entered: 03/22/2002)

RECAP
40 March 25, 2002

NOTICE of ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant John Ashcroft, defendant Robert Coleman, defendant Immigration and Nat; Atty Michelle E Gorden appearing (SAP) (Entered: 03/25/2002)

RECAP
41 March 27, 2002

ORDER re Motions by Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle; parties to jointly file by 4/17/02 a briefing schedule for all pending and anticipated motions; court will set a date for motions to be re-noted at status conf on 4/19/02; 3/25/02 is sticken for motion for appointment of Guardian ad Litem (LR 17.1(a)) [14-1] & motion for Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1] (cc: all counsel) (SAP) (Entered: 03/27/2002)

RECAP
42 March 29, 2002

SUMMONS/RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant John - Ashcroft, defendant Robert - Coleman (CP) (Entered: 03/29/2002)

RECAP
43 April 8, 2002

JOINT Status Conference Certificate filed (SAP) (Entered: 04/08/2002)

RECAP
44 April 16, 2002

SUBMISSION re Discovery Plan & Initial Disclosure Deadlines by plaintiffs (SAP) (Entered: 04/16/2002)

RECAP
45 April 19, 2002

MOTION by defendants John Ashcroft, Robert Coleman & Immigration and Nat for leave to file overlength brief (SAP) (Entered: 04/22/2002)

RECAP
46 April 19, 2002

Memorandum by defendants John Ashcroft, Robert Coleman & Immigration and Nat in support of motion for leave to file overlength brief [45-1] (SAP) (Entered: 04/22/2002)

RECAP
47 April 19, 2002

MOTION by defendants John Ashcroft, Robert Coleman & Immigration and Nat to dismiss the complaint and to vacate the court's 3/5/02 order granting a preliminary injunction (SAP) (Entered: 04/22/2002)

RECAP
48 April 19, 2002

Memorandum by defendants John Ashcroft, Robert Coleman & Immigration and Nat in support of motion to dismiss the complaint [47-1] & motion to vacate the court's 3/5/02 order granting a preliminary injunction [47-2] (SAP) (Entered: 04/22/2002)

RECAP
49 April 19, 2002

Notice by defendants John Ashcroft, Robert Coleman & Immigration and Nat of hearing setting motion for leave to file overlength brief [45-1] with oral argument 1:30 6/6/02 Spokane, WA, setting motion to dismiss the complaint [47-1] with oral argument 1:30 6/6/02 Spokane, WA, setting motion to vacate the court's 3/5/02 order granting a preliminary injunction [47-2] with oral argument 1:30 6/6/02 Spokane, WA (SAP) (Entered: 04/22/2002)

RECAP
50 April 19, 2002

Certificate of service by defendants John Ashcroft, Robert Coleman & Immigration and Nat of: docs #45-49 (SAP) (Entered: 04/22/2002)

RECAP
51 April 19, 2002

MINUTES: Status/Scheduling Conference hearing held before Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle Hrg Location: Spokane; Mark Snover court reporter (SAP) (Entered: 04/22/2002)

RECAP
52 April 24, 2002

Notice by plaintiff of hearing setting motion for Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1]; oral argument 1:30 6/6/02 Spokane, WA (LE) (Entered: 04/24/2002)

RECAP
53 April 29, 2002

Scheduling Conference Order by Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle Disp mtn ddl: 10/7/02; Mtn in limine ddl: 10/28/02 ; In-court hearing set 1:30 6/6/02 Spokane, WA ;discovery to be complete 9/30/02 ;proposed PTO due 1/2/03; Pretrial Conf set 8:30 1/7/03 Spokane, WA ; Non-Jury Trial set 9:00 1/27/03 Spokane, WA (cc:all counsel) (CP) Modified on 04/30/2002 (Entered: 04/29/2002)

RECAP
54 May 7, 2002

MOTION by defendant John Ashcroft, defendant Robert Coleman, defendant Immigration and Nat for an extension of time to file a response to plaintiff's motion for class certification (SAP) (Entered: 05/07/2002)

RECAP
55 May 7, 2002

Declaration of Marcos Gonzalez Machado by plaintiffs Marcos Gonzalez Machado, David Groesbeck (SAP) (Entered: 05/07/2002)

RECAP
56 May 7, 2002

PROPOSED RECEIVED Stipulation and Order vacating stay of removal proceedings and stay of removal re: submitted by plaintiffs Marcos Gonzalez Machado & David Groesbeck (SAP) (Entered: 05/07/2002)

RECAP
57 May 7, 2002

Stipulation and ORDER Vacating Stay of Removal Proceedings and Stay of Removal by Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle re order of 3/5/02 [34-1] both court's stay of pltf's administrative proceedings & stay of his removal from US are VACATED (cc: faxed to all counsel) (SAP) (Entered: 05/08/2002)

RECAP
58 May 7, 2002

ORDER Extending Briefing Deadlines for Motion to Certify Class by Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle; dft's motion for an extension of time [54-1] is GRANTED IN PART; govt's resp ddl 5/17/02; pltf's rply ddl 5/31/02 (cc: all counsel) (SAP) (Entered: 05/08/2002)

RECAP
59 May 17, 2002

Memorandum by defendant John - Ashcroft, defendant Robert - Coleman, defendant Immigration and Nat in opposition to motion for Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1] (SAP) (Entered: 05/17/2002)

RECAP
60 May 20, 2002

MOTION by plaintiff to file overlength brief (RF) (Entered: 05/20/2002)

RECAP
61 May 20, 2002

Notice of Hearing by plaintiff setting motion to file overlength brief [60-1] (w/o oral argument 6/6/02 ) (RF) (Entered: 05/20/2002)

RECAP
62 May 20, 2002

Declaration of Nancy L Isserlis by plaintiff in support of motion to file overlength brief [60-1] (RF) (Entered: 05/20/2002)

RECAP
63 May 20, 2002

Plaintiffs' opposition to Defendants' motion to dismiss the complaint [47-1] (RF) (Entered: 05/20/2002)

RECAP
64 May 20, 2002

Appendix to plaintiffs' opposition to Defendants' motion to dismiss [63-1] (Exhibits 1-7) (RF) (Entered: 05/20/2002)

RECAP
65 May 31, 2002

Reply by plaintiffs Marcos Gonzalez Machado, David Groesbeck re memorandum in opposition to class certification [59-1] (SAP) (Entered: 06/03/2002)

RECAP
66 May 31, 2002

Reply by defendants to plaintiff's memorandum in opposition to defendants' motion to dismiss the complaint and vacate the court's 3/5/02 order granting a preliminary injunction [63-1] (SAP) (Entered: 06/03/2002)

RECAP
67 June 6, 2002

MINUTES: Motion hearing held before Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle Hrg Location: Spokane; Mark Snover court reporter (SAP) (Entered: 06/07/2002)

RECAP
68 June 17, 2002

MINUTES: Telephonic motion hearing held before Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle Hrg Location: Spokane; Mark Snover court reporter (SAP) (Entered: 06/18/2002)

RECAP
69 June 18, 2002

ORDER Granting Motion to Dismiss by Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle; dft's mtn to dismiss the complaint [47-1] is GRANTED; this action is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE; pltf's mtn for Class Certification (Class Action) [4-1] is DENIED AS MOOT; granting motion for appointment of Guardian ad Litem (LR 17.1(a)) [14-1], granting motion to Participate pro hac vice (re: atty Nepal) [18-1], granting motion to Participate pro hac vice (re: Rhonda Brownstein) [19-1], granting motion for leave to file overlength brief [45-1], granting motion to file overlength brief [60-1], dft's mtn to vacate [47-2] is DENIED AS MOOT; DCE to close file; CrOB-188-90; case terminated (cc: all counsel) (SAP) (Entered: 06/18/2002)

Clearinghouse
70 July 15, 2002

Application by plaintiff for attorney fees (CP) (Entered: 07/15/2002)

RECAP
71 July 29, 2002

MOTION by defendant to dissolve the preliminary injunction granting appointment of counsel at government expense & ... (SAP) (Entered: 07/30/2002)

RECAP
71 July 29, 2002

... & Memorandum by defendant in opposition to application motion for attorney fees [70-1] (SAP) (Entered: 07/30/2002)

RECAP
72 Aug. 13, 2002

BRIEF in Support of Fees by plaintiff Marcos Gonzalez Machado (SAP) (Entered: 08/14/2002)

RECAP
73 Aug. 20, 2002

ORDER by Chief Judge Fred L. Van Sickle granting motion to dissolve the preliminary injunction granting appointment of counsel at government expense [71-1]; atty Marie Higuera is appointed counsel retroactively under 18 USC 3006A(a)(2); atty Higuera is to submit an appl for pyment under CJA; DCE to process appl for atty's fees under CJA (cc: all counsel & atty Higuera w/CJA form) (SAP) (Entered: 08/21/2002)

RECAP
Aug. 20, 2002

FAXED/MAILED order re atty's fees to all counsel (SAP)

Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 19, 2002

Closing Date: 2002

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Class of unaccompanied immigrant children detained by the INS and facing deportation proceedings without a lawyer

Plaintiff Type(s):

State Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Legal Services/Legal Aid

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP)

Southern Poverty Law Center

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Denied

Defendants

Federal

Immigration and Naturalization Service

U.S. Attorney General

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Washington 2:02-cv-00066

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Relief Granted:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

Deportation - judicial review

Deportation - procedure

Family Separation

Recommended Citation