Javier Sanchez-Espinoza v. Ronald Wilson Reagan, President of the United States

SCALIA, Circuit Judge:

The complaint at issue in this appeal recites various causes of action arising out of appellees’ alleged support of forces bearing arms against the government of Nicaragua (so-called “Contra” forces). The United States District Court for the District of Columbia granted a motion to dismiss, primarily on the ground that the case presented a nonjusticiable political question. The issues presented by the appeal include whether the Alien Tort Statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1350 (1982), confers jurisdiction over suits against officers of the United States alleging violation of…