The Role and Impact of Nationwide Injunctions: Written Testimony for the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet

11 Pages Posted: 25 Jan 2018

Date Written: November 30, 2017

Abstract

This document is the written testimony submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. My testimony examines the authority of federal district courts to issue nationwide injunctions, defined as injunctions that bar the defendant from taking action against individuals who are not parties to the lawsuit. Such injunctions have been used frequently over the past few years to halt executive policies, particularly in immigration cases. My testimony explains that nationwide injunctions are sometimes essential to provide complete relief to the plaintiff, to avoid irreparable injury to those similarly situated to the plaintiff, and are sometimes the only practicable method of providing relief. However, I also acknowledge that they come with costs, such as preventing percolation of the law and promoting forum shopping. I argue that district courts should carefully consider the costs and benefits before issuing such injunctions.

Keywords: nationwide injunctions, universal injunctions, national injunctions, immigration, travel ban, deferred action

Suggested Citation

Frost, Amanda, The Role and Impact of Nationwide Injunctions: Written Testimony for the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet (November 30, 2017). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3104789 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3104789

Amanda Frost (Contact Author)

University of Virginia ( email )

(434) 924-7573 (Phone)
22903 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.law.virginia.edu/faculty/profile/sga3rt/3078461

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