Wrongly Detained Immigrant Gets Damages

A man wrongly arrested and detained for several years was awarded $82,500 in damages by a federal judge who also criticized the government's negligence in this case. However, the judge cites a change to a prevailing law that limited holding the government responsible to only 27 days of the 1,273 days the man was wrongly detained. A team of Holland & Knight attorneys, including Mark Flessner, and the National Immigrant Justice Center provided pro bono counsel to the man.

"It was a thorough opinion, but, with all due respect, we think he's wrong on the law and we're going to appeal the limiting [of damages] to 27 days," Mr. Flessner said.

READ: Wrongly Detained Immigrant Gets Damages (subscription required)