Humanitarian Law Project v. United States Department of Treasury
United States District Court for the Central District of California
484 F. Supp. 2d 1099 (2007)
- Written by Tanya Munson, JD
Facts
The Humanitarian Law Project and other plaintiffs (plaintiffs) challenged the constitutionality of Executive Order 13,224 (the EO) by suing the United States Department of Treasury (defendant). The court issued an order resolving the issues of the case and issuing an injunction against enforcement of the EO. The court decided that the “otherwise associated with” provision of the EO was unconstitutionally vague on its face and overbroad. The order found that the term itself did not have a clear meaning, was not defined by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which regulated and interpreted the EO, and its application was not subject to any identifiable criteria. The order also found that the provision was unconstitutionally overbroad because it imposed penalties for mere association with specially designated global terrorists (SDGTs). The court issued a judgment and informed the parties that the order should be made final, but the court allowed for any party that disagreed with the court’s views to submit a brief setting forth the objection before the case was closed. The government filed a motion seeking reconsideration of the court’s determination that the “otherwise associated with” provision of the EO was unconstitutional. The government argued that in response to the order, OFAC issued a new regulation that defined “otherwise associated with” and cured the unconstitutionality of the EO provision. OFAC defined the term “otherwise associated with” to mean to own or control; to attempt, or conspire with another to act for or on behalf of; or to provide support or services. The government requested that the court assess the new regulation to find the EO constitutional and vacate the order.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Collins, J.)
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