This month, three major news outlets highlighted the dramatic stories of IJ clients Kevin Byrd and Hamdi Mohamud. For example, this piece from the Washington Post <[link removed]> emphasizes the crucial question in Kevin’s and Hamdi’s cases—do federal officers and agents operate in a “Constitution-free
zone” simply because they wear a federal badge?

What happened to Kevin and Hamdi was outrageous. Kevin was violently assaulted by an off-duty federal officer, and Hamdi spent two years in prison due to false accusations from a policewoman on a federal taskforce. When Kevin <[link removed]> and Hamdi <[link removed]> sued, courts initially denied both officers qualified
immunity, a very high hurdle citizens must meet when suing government officials. But Kevin’s and Hamdi’s rights had been so egregiously violated that judges in both cases indicated a lawsuit could move forward. However, both clients lost their cases on appeal, because federal officers are granted a higher degree of immunity beyond qualified immunity that effectively makes them impossible to sue.

IJ has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit these decisions and affirm that America doesn’t have Constitution-free zones. As you know, getting the Court to agree to hear a case is always an uphill battle, and we know the fight to challenge immunity doctrines is going to be a long one. Whether or not the Court accepts these cases, generating national attention is a crucial part of the work our supporters help us do. I invite you to read these pieces from the Washington Post <[link removed]>, USA Today <[link removed]>, and the New York Times <[link removed]>. They give our clients vindication and support from across the nation. Furthermore, the articles signal that IJ’s Project on Immunity and Accountability is successfully shining the national spotlight on an issue of significance to all Americans—the near-absolute immunity federal officials enjoy.

Please consider an online donation today <[link removed]> to help continue the fight to hold government accountable—at the Supreme Court
and in the court of public opinion.

Scott

Scott G. Bullock
President and General Counsel
Institute for Justice
Donate Today <[link removed]>

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