CA1 on Habeas, CAT, Extradition: Aguasvivas v. Pompeo

Aguasvivas v. Pompeo

"The Dominican Republic requests Cristian Starling Aguasvivas for extradition. After a federal magistrate judge certified Aguasvivas as eligible for extradition, Aguasvivas filed a habeas corpus petition in the District of Rhode Island arguing, among other things, that the Dominican Republic had failed to provide the required documentation in its extradition request, and that his extradition would violate the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Dec. 10, 1984, T.I.A.S. No. 94-1120.1 ("CAT"), given that the Board of Immigration Appeals ("BIA") had previously found that he was qualified for CAT relief. The district court agreed with Aguasvivas on both points, and the United States has now appealed. For the reasons explained below, we disagree with the district court that the United States is bound by the BIA's prior determination awarding Aguasvivas CAT relief. We nevertheless affirm the grant of habeas relief because we agree that the United States has failed to file the necessary documents to support an extradition request."