In Tanzin v. Tanvir, the Supreme Court will consider a case brought by a group of Muslim men who were each placed on the “No Fly List” after rebuffing FBI agents’ pressure to inform on their faith communities. They have since been removed, but suffered serious harm after being placed on the list and sued the agents in their official and personal capacities.
In an ideal world, a discriminatory government policy that targets a religious minority would be changed before it could cause harm. But often, redress is only available after the fact. In this case, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) prohibits these men from suing the government for the harm they suffered under the principle of qualified immunity.
The Supreme Court must decide whether individuals, like FBI agents, can be personally sued for Religious Freedom Restoration Act violations.
“Friends of the Court”
We joined religious and civil rights partners in an amicus brief emphasizing that money damages are often the only meaningful way to address the harm that results when someone’s religious freedom is violated.
Rights of Religious Minorities
Religious freedom and equal treatment under the law are non-partisan issues. We stand with our friends and allies who face discrimination, with the knowledge that our freedoms are inextricably linked.