70 F. Supp. 3d 33
D.D.C.2014Background
- Bianca Udugampola and family sue regarding Mr. Udugampola's visa denial, alleging Fifth Amendment due-process violations.
- This is the second federal suit after the first dismissal for lack of jurisdiction in Udugampola I (consular non-reviewability).
- Past denials occurred: 1999 (persecution finding under 8 C.F.R. § 208.13(c)(2)(i)(E)); 2009 (INA § 212(a)(3)(B) relating to terrorism); 2013 (INA § 212(a)(3)(E)(iii)(II) for extrajudicial killings).
- The 2011 DOJ agreement allowed a new de novo visa adjudication with new interview and documents, but without any outcome guarantee.
- Plaintiffs claim the varying grounds show bad faith and lack of a facially legitimate and bona fide reason for the 2013 denial.
- The court dismisses the Amended Complaint, finding no subject matter jurisdiction and no plausible claim under Mandel review.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the consular non-reviewability doctrine bars review or allows Mandel review. | Udugampola wife has a constitutionally protected liberty interest invoking review. | No Mandel exception applies; a spouse's due-process claim fails. | No subject matter jurisdiction under consular non-reviewability; Mandel exception not shown. |
| If Mandel review applies, whether the 2013 denial rests on a facially legitimate and Bona Fide reason. | The 2013 denial lacks a specific, facially legitimate basis and is potentially bad faith. | Citation to INA § 212(a)(3)(E)(iii)(II) provides a facially legitimate and Bona Fide basis. | The denial is facially legitimate and Bona Fide; no leave to reexamine the rationale. |
Key Cases Cited
- Saavedra Bruno v. Albright, 197 F.3d 1153 (D.C. Cir. 1999) (limits of consular non-reviewability and Mandel exception)
- Knauff v. Shaughnessy, 338 U.S. 537 (1950) (review of visa determinations beyond court's authority)
- Kleindienst v. Mandel, 408 U.S. 753 (U.S. 1972) (facially legitimate and bona fide standard for review)
- Udugampola v. Jacobs (Udugampola I), 795 F. Supp. 2d 96 (D.D.C. 2011) (consular non-reviewability and standing of spouse's rights)
- Jathoul v. Clinton, 880 F. Supp. 2d 168 (D.D.C. 2012) (limitations of Mandel review in spousal visa cases)