Haitian Refugee Center v. Benjamin R. Civiletti, Attorney General of the United States

This appeal springs from a putative class action brought in the Southern District of Florida on May 9, 1979, questioning on constitutional and statutory grounds practices and procedures allegedly followed by the defendants in handling and processing applications of Haitian nationals who seek political asylum in the United States. Plaintiffs asked declaratory and injunctive relief and relief in the nature of mandamus.

On July 23, 1979, the individual plaintiffs applied for a temporary restraining order enjoining defendants from removing plaintiffs and proposed class members from the United…