ICWA Case Update

Kathryn “Kate” E. Fort

ICWA Appellate Project

All Case Documents (and other information) Available at: https://turtletalk.blog/icwa/

vTracks appellate cases nationwide

vProvides limited representation for tribes in ICWA appeals

vProvides technical assistance and research for tribes

vProvides training for jurists and other legal professionals on ICWA

Important 2018 State Casesv In re L.D., 391 Mont. 33 (2018)

v J.W.E. v. State, 419 P.3d 374 (Okla. Civ. App. 2018)

v In re A.P., 818 S.E.2d 396 (N.C. 2018)

v In re Beers, 325 Mich.App. 653 (2018)

v In re E.R., 2018 COA 58, (Colo. App. 2018)

v Matter of Welfare of S.R.K., 911 N.W. 821 (Minn. 2018)

v Diego K. v. State Dept. of Health & Soc. Srvs. 411 P.3d 622 (Alaska, 2018)

v In re B.Y., 432 P.3d 129 (Mont. 2018)

Important 2019 State Casesv In re Shirley T., 199 A.3d 221 (Maine)

v In re Radiance K., 208 A.3d 380 (Maine)

v In re L.R.B., __P.3d__ (Colorado Court of Appeals)

v In re Damian G. (State ex rel Children, Youth & Families Dept. v. Tanisha G.), __P.3d__ (New Mexico Court of Appeals)

v Oliver N. v. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 444 P.3d 171 (Alaska)

v In re K.L.J., __ S.E.2d __ (North Carolina Court of Appeals)

v In re Z.J.G., Washington Court of Appeals, Nos. 78790, 78791

v In re S.R., Montana, 2019 MT 47

Brackeen/Texas v. Bernhardtv Northern District of Texas, 17-cv-00868

v Complaint filed on Oct. 25, 2017

v Plaintiff(s):

v Brackeens; Texas

v Defendants/Intervenors:

v Depts of Interior, BIA

v Two Amended Complaints (12/15/17; 3/22/18)

v Brackeens, Cliffords, and Librettis; Texas, Louisiana, and Indiana

v Depts of Interior, HHS, Bernhardt, Sweeney; Cherokee Nation, Quinault Indian Nation, Oneida Nation, Morongo Band of Mission Indians

Brackeen/Texas v. Bernhardtv Northern District of Texas, 17-cv-00868

v Order Released on Oct. 10, 2018

v Court Granted the Plaintiffs Motions for Summary Judgment in Part and Denied in Part

v Granted:

v Equal Protection

v Non-Delegation

v Anti-Commandeering

v APA

v Unconstitutional under the Indian Commerce Clause (in one paragraph)

v Denied

v Substantive Due Process

Brackeen/Texas v. Bernhardt

v Northern District of Texas, 17-cv-00868

v Stay Denied on Oct. 29, 2018

v Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 18-11479

v Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 18-11479

v Stay Granted on Dec. 3, 2018

Brackeen/Texas v. Bernhardtv Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 18-11479

v Oral Arguments, March 13, 2019

v Briefing completed on February 19, 2019

v Plaintiffs:

v Brackeens, Cliffords, and Librettis; Texas, Louisiana, and Illinois

v Defendants/Intervenors:

v Depts of Interior, HHS, Bernhardt, Sweeney; Cherokee Nation, Quinault Indian Nation, Oneida Nation, Morongo Band of Mission Indians; Navajo Nation

v Amici:

v Christian Alliance, Project on Fair Representation, Goldwater/Cato/AAAA, Ohio

v Congress, Casey Family Programs and 30 orgs, 21 AGs, Indian Law Profs, Constitutional Law Profs, 325 Tribal Governments and 57 Tribal orgs, +3 additional

Brackeen/Texas v. Bernhardt

v Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 18-11479

v Issues on Appeal:

v Standing

v Equal Protection

v Commandeering

v Non-Delegation

v Administrative Procedures Act

Brackeen/Texas v. Bernhardtv Decision Issued on August 9, 2019

v Tribes and Federal Government won on all issues except standing:

v Equal Protection

v Commandeering

v Non-Delegation

v Administrative Procedures Act

v Dissent Found for the States on Commandeering

v Timeframes for Appeal:v 45 days for en banc [Sept. 23]

v 90 for SCOTUS [Nov. 7, with no extensions]

Kate Fort fort@law.msu.edu