Igartúa v. United States
654 F.3d 99
1st Cir.2011Background
- Plaintiffs-appellants seek en banc review of a panel decision addressing voting rights for Puerto Rico residents and ICCPR implications.
- Igartúa III held ICCPR is not self-executing and not binding as domestic law; the panel dismissed on that basis.
- The Commonwealth sought rehearing, and an en banc poll was denied; the majority concluded Igartúa III governs.
- Dissent argues en banc review is warranted given exceptional importance of rights for U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico.
- The Court notes Supreme Court guidance (Medellin v. Texas; Abbott v. Abbott) supports a text-focused treaty interpretation.
- The majority emphasizes Fed. R. App. P. 35(a)(2) favors avoiding reexamination of settled issues.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is ICCPR self-executing and a source of private rights in U.S. courts? | Igartúa asserts ICCPR creates privately enforceable rights. | Igartúa III held ICCPR non-self-executing; no private rights. | ICCPR is not self-executing; no private rights created. |
| Does the Constitution permit Congress to extend the right to vote to Puerto Rico residents? | Congress could extend voting rights to PR residents. | Constitution does not necessarily authorize such extension; no clear power. | Panel decision remains controlled by Igartúa III; no basis for affirmative holding. |
| If ICCPR is non-self-executing, can courts issue a declaratory judgment that the U.S. violates ICCPR obligations? | Declaration remedied by recognizing treaty violations. | Non-self-executing treaties do not create private rights; declaratory relief limited. | Court does not grant declaratory relief in absence of private rights; dismissal affirmed. |
| Should en banc review be granted given exceptional importance of Puerto Rico voting rights? | Issues are of exceptional importance affecting millions of citizens. | Rule 35(a)(2) requires exceptional importance but denial was appropriate. | En banc review denied; Igartúa III controls. |
Key Cases Cited
- Igartúa de la Rosa v. United States, 417 F.3d 145 (1st Cir. 2005) (en banc), 417 F.3d 145 (1st Cir. 2005) (ICCPR not self-executing; precedent controlling)
- Medellin v. Texas, 552 U.S. 491 (2008), 552 U.S. 491 (U.S. 2008) (text-based treaty interpretation; postratification understanding)
- Abbott v. Abbott, 130 S. Ct. 1983 (2010), 130 S. Ct. 1983 (S. Ct. 2010) (textual focus; treatises and executive views as context)
- Sosa v. Alvarez-Machain, 542 U.S. 692 (2004), 542 U.S. 692 (U.S. 2004) (precedent on private rights and treaty interpretation)
- Igartúa IV, 626 F.3d 592 (1st Cir. 2010), 626 F.3d 592 (1st Cir. 2010) (discusses en banc considerations post Igartúa III)
- Leal Garcia v. Texas, 131 S. Ct. 2866 (2011), 131 S. Ct. 2866 (U.S. 2011) (post-ratification understanding of ICCPR)