Ten area immigrants have again been successful in pursuing their 2007 civil rights lawsuit against city and federal officials.
Chief Judge Robert Chatigny of the U.S. District Court of Connecticut last month denied the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency's motion to dismiss the lawsuit against its agents.
"We are happy that Judge Chatigny has decided that all law enforcement officers -- even immigration agents -- are bound by the Constitution," Yale Law School student Elizabeth Simpson said.
[...]
The denial of ICE's motion to dismiss is the third time in nine months the 10 plaintiffs have won moves against their case.
In December 2008, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donna Martinez ruled Danbury officials and federal agents named in the lawsuit must give depositions immediately, even though the motion to dismiss was pending.
Simpson said some of those depositions have begun. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton and Police Chief Al Baker, who are named in the lawsuit, will also be deposed.
The discovery phase of the lawsuit, including the depositions, will continue for about a year.
Time and patience...time and patience.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of day laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
