Islam v. Quarantillo

350 F. Supp. 3d 183
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. New York
DecidedNovember 20, 2018
Docket18-CV-1879 (KAM)(LB)
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 350 F. Supp. 3d 183 (Islam v. Quarantillo) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Islam v. Quarantillo, 350 F. Supp. 3d 183 (E.D.N.Y. 2018).

Opinion

MATSUMOTO, United States District Judge:

Plaintiff MD. Aminul Islam, currently residing in Bangladesh, brings this pro se complaint, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, seeking this Court's review of a discretionary decision by the United States Department of Homeland Security ("DHS"). Plaintiff paid the requisite filing fee to bring this action. For the reasons discussed below, the complaint is dismissed.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

Where, as here, the plaintiff is proceeding pro se, the complaint is held to less stringent standards than pleadings drafted by attorneys. Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94, 127 S.Ct. 2197, 167 L.Ed.2d 1081 (2007). The court is obliged to construe the pleadings liberally and to interpret them as raising the strongest arguments they suggest. Pabon v. Wright, 459 F.3d 241, 248 (2d Cir. 2006). If a liberal reading of the complaint "gives any indication that a valid claim might be stated," the court must grant leave to amend the complaint. See Cuoco v. Moritsugu, 222 F.3d 99, 112 (2d Cir. 2000) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).

A plaintiff seeking to bring a lawsuit in federal court must establish that the court has subject matter jurisdiction over the action. If the Court "determines at any time that it lacks subject-matter jurisdiction, the court must dismiss the action." Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3) ; accord Yong Qin Luo v. Mikel, 625 F.3d 772, 775 (2d Cir. 2010) ; see also *185Chestnut v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. 11 CV 5369, 2012 WL 1657362, at *3 (E.D.N.Y. May 7, 2012) ("Notwithstanding the liberal pleading standard afforded pro se litigants, federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and may not preside over cases if subject matter jurisdiction is lacking."). "[F]ailure of subject matter jurisdiction is not waivable and may be raised at any time by a party or by the court sua sponte . If subject matter jurisdiction is lacking, the action must be dismissed." Lyndonville Sav. Bank & Trust Co. v. Lussier, 211 F.3d 697, 700-01 (2d Cir. 2000) (citations omitted).

Federal subject matter jurisdiction is available only when a "federal question" is presented, 28 U.S.C. § 1331, or when plaintiffs and defendants have complete diversity of citizenship and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000, 28 U.S.C. § 1332. In order to invoke federal question jurisdiction, a plaintiff's claims must arise "under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States." 28 U.S.C. § 1331.

DISCUSSION

This Court does not have jurisdiction to consider plaintiff's claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff styles his submission as a civil rights complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and he alleges that his constitutional rights, "Immigrant's Rights," "Human Rights," and the Immigration and Nationality Act were violated. Plaintiff also asserts discrimination, misconduct, and excessive delay. However, he does not seek damages. Instead, he appears to seek review of two prior decisions by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service ("USCIS"), United States Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") in order to "enter into the United States," either on the grounds of humanitarian parole or on the basis of his status "as a long standing legalization seeker." (See ECF No. 1, Compl. at 5.)

I. Background

In his Complaint, plaintiff states that he originally "entered the United States in the year of 1981 without visa for better life and education[,] .... applied for legalization for Temporary Resident ... in December 23, 1990 ... and was approved /Issued me for Work Authorization." (See Compl. at 3.) In 2002, plaintiff applied for permanent residency in an I-485 Application to Adjust Status "and was permitted to enter into the United States through Parole Letter in the year of June, 2005." (Id. ) In 2007, plaintiff "was called for an interview by the District Director of New York Immigration Office," and "[l]ater they sent [a] denial letter." (Id. ) Plaintiff further stated, "I think I did not get the Justice. I appealed against their decision to the Administrative Appeal Office; the AAO dismissed my case in 2009 because I could not establish credible evidences." (Id. )

In June 2010, plaintiff had two heart attacks which made it necessary for him to undergo a heart catheterization procedure. (Id. at 4.) According to plaintiff, one month later he was advised to have open heart surgery, but decided that he needed to see his mother and family before undergoing a nine-hour surgical procedure. (Id. ) "At last, without consulting the [d]octors, [plaintiff] left the US in January 17, 2011 to see [his] ailing mother and family," in Bangladesh. (Id. ) On December 10, 2015, plaintiff applied for "Humanitarian Parole for Extreme Situation under Emergency Medical Issues," seeking re-entry to the United States. (Id. ) His application was denied on April 11, 2016. (Id.

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350 F. Supp. 3d 183, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/islam-v-quarantillo-nyed-2018.