Morales-Alfaro v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security et al, No. 3:2020cv00082 - Document 49 (S.D. Cal. 2021)
Court Description: ORDER Granting in Part Motions to Dismiss (Docket Numbers 38 , 39 ). No later than 21 calendar days from the date this order is entered, Morales-Alfaro shall file a fourth amended complaint. Signed by Judge Larry Alan Burns on 3/17/2021. (jdt)
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Morales-Alfaro v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security et al Doc. 49 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 12 RUBIA MABEL MORALESALFARO Plaintiff, 13 14 15 16 17 Case No.: 20cv82-LAB (BGS) ORDER GRANTING IN PART MOTIONS TO DISMISS v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, et al. [DOCKET NUMBERS 38, 39.] Defendants. 18 19 Plaintiff Rubia Mabel Morales-Alfaro, who is represented by counsel, filed 20 her complaint challenging conditions of her confinement at the ICE Otay Mesa 21 detention facility. The Court screened and dismissed the complaint for failure to 22 invoke the Court’s jurisdiction. (Docket no. 3.) After other proceedings, Plaintiff 23 then filed her Third Amended Complaint. Defendants CoreCivic, Inc. and the U.S. 24 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) filed motions to dismiss under Fed. R. 25 Civ. P. 12(b)(1) and (6). (Docket nos. 38 and 39, respectively.) CoreCivic’s motion 26 alternatively asks the Court to strike certain allegations, under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(f). 27 The jurisdictional attacks under Rule 12(b)(1) are facial; they are based on the 28 pleadings and do not rely on outside evidence. See Safe Air for Everyone v. Meyer, 1 20cv82 Dockets.Justia.com 1 373 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir. 2004) (distinguishing between facial and factual 2 attacks on jurisdiction). The motions are now fully briefed and ready for disposition. 3 Background 4 Morales-Alfaro, a Salvadoran national, traveled to the United States to seek 5 asylum. While traveling, she learned she was pregnant. In late 2017, U.S. Customs 6 and Border Patrol apprehended her. While in custody at Otay Mesa, she suffered 7 a miscarriage, which she attributes to denial of access to medical and other 8 prenatal care and to the conditions of her confinement. She alleges other 9 mistreatment, and argues that conditions in the facility are punitive. She has since 10 been released on bond while awaiting adjudication of her asylum claim, and is 11 living in Little Rock, Arkansas. 12 Jurisdiction: Equitable Relief 13 CoreCivic moves to dismiss claims 1, 2, 3, and 5 as moot. The government 14 seeks dismissal of all non-FTCA claims including claim 4 (for violations of the 15 Administrative Procedures Act), citing both lack of standing and mootness. Claims 16 6 through 11 seek damages, and the mootness doctrine does not apply to them. 17 See Wilson v. Nevada, 666 F.2d 378, 380–81 (9th Cir. 1982). Claim 5 (for violation 18 of the Rehabilitation Act) seeks declaratory and injunctive relief against both 19 Defendants, and damages against CoreCivic, so the mootness doctrine applies 20 only to this claim to the extent it seeks declaratory or injunctive relief. 21 Morales-Alfaro seeks equitable relief intended to protect her from the same 22 kind of harm she suffered before.1 Even if Defendants had not raised the issue of 23 mootness, the Court would be required to raise it sua sponte. See Steel Co. v. 24 Citizens for Better Env’t., 523 U.S. 83, 94–95 (1998). The Court is presumed to 25 lack jurisdiction, and the burden always falls on the party invoking it—in this case, 26 27 28 1 The TAC’s prayer for relief mentions only injunctive relief, though the body of the TAC (¶¶ 32–33) mentions declaratory relief as well. 2 20cv82 1 Morales-Alfaro. See Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of Am., 511 U.S. 375 2 (1994). 3 The Court’s first screening order (Docket no. 3), in connection with her 4 request for injunctive relief, noted her release on bond, and pointed out that she 5 had not alleged facts showing she was reasonably likely to be returned to any 6 detention center, much less one operated by CoreCivic. 2 She also failed to allege 7 facts suggesting she was reasonably likely to be in need of medical care while in 8 such a facility. She was not representing others in a class action, nor could she do 9 so. The Court cited well-established precedent that a prisoner’s release from 10 custody generally moots claims for injunctive relief based on prison conditions, 11 unless a class action has been certified. See Dilley v. Gunn, 64 F.3d 1365, 1368 12 (9th Cir. 1995). Even transfer to another facility moots a claim for injunctive relief 13 based on conditions of confinement, unless there is evidence showing a likelihood 14 the plaintiff will be transferred back. See Prieser v. Newkirk, 422 U.S. 395, 402–03 15 (1975). 16 Morales-Alfaro points to her allegations (TAC, ¶¶ 9–11) to support her 17 contention that it is likely she will benefit from injunctive relief. Those allegations 18 say that only 38 percent of asylum applications were granted in 2018, and that if 19 her application is denied, “she could be subject to immigration detention and 20 deportation,” pending appeal. The strength of her claim to asylum is unknown, so 21 even assuming the 38 percent figure is still applicable, the likelihood of her 22 application being denied could be greater or less than 38 percent. But assuming 23 24 25 26 27 28 2 To the extent an injunction is aimed at CoreCivic, it would have no effect on other private companies who operate detention facilities, and who are not parties to this action. See Zepeda v. United States Immigration Serv., 753 F.2d 719, 727 (9th Cir. 1985) (holding that federal courts may not enjoin parties it lacks personal jurisdiction over, nor attempt to determine the rights of persons not before the court). 3 20cv82 1 it is denied, an allegation that she “could be subject to immigration detention” does 2 not adequately show any likelihood or reasonable expectation that she would. 3 Binding precedents such as Dilley and Prieser make clear that “could be” is not 4 enough to stave off mootness once a prisoner is moved out of the facility where 5 the allegedly offending conditions prevail — whether by release or transfer. 6 Furthermore, even if she were taken into custody, it is unclear why she believes 7 she would be returned to the same facility or even another CoreCivic-operated 8 facility with like conditions. 9 A good deal of Morales-Alfaro’s predictions about what is likely to happen to 10 her are based on policies under the Trump administration, and her allegations that 11 the administration imposed the policies she complains of on the basis of President 12 Trump’s own animus against people from Central America. The decision in Trump 13 v. Hawaii, 138 S. Ct. 2392 (2018) implies, if not outright holds, that such rhetoric 14 is generally not a reliable indicator of government intent. See id. at 2435–40 15 (Sotomayor, J., dissenting) (recounting at length the history of President Trump’s 16 remarks about Muslims and immigration, and arguing that the majority should have 17 considered it). She also points to Executive Order 13768 (Jan. 25, 2017) as the 18 basis for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE’s) policy 19 of detaining pregnant women. But because President Biden rescinded that order 20 soon after his inauguration, any persuasive force it might have brought to this 21 analysis is blunted. 22 The fact that claims for injunctive relief are moot does not necessarily mean 23 claims for declaratory relief are moot. See Ctr. For Biological Diversity v. Lohn, 511 24 F.3d 960, 964 (9th Cir. 2007). Nevertheless, the Court has no jurisdiction to 25 entertain a claim for declaratory relief to address past violations without affording 26 any remedy for continuing or future violations. See Bayer v. Neiman Marcus Grp., 27 Inc., 861 F.3d 853, 868 (9th Cir. 2017). Furthermore, Morales-Alfaro’s opposition 28 /// 4 20cv82 1 does not mention declaratory relief or explain why it would be available even if 2 injunctive relief is moot. 3 The Court holds that it lacks jurisdiction over Morales-Alfaro’s claims 1 4 through 4, and claim 5 to the extent it seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. The 5 Court need not, and cannot reach the merits. 6 Legal Standards for Rule 12(b)(6) Motion 7 A Rule 12(b)(6) motion tests the sufficiency of a complaint. Navarro v. Block, 8 250 F.3d 729, 732 (9th Cir. 2001). While a plaintiff need not give “detailed factual 9 allegations,” a plaintiff must plead sufficient facts that, if true, “raise a right to relief 10 above the speculative level.” Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 545 11 (2007). “To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual 12 matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” 13 Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 547). 14 When determining whether a complaint states a claim, the Court accepts all 15 allegations of material fact in the complaint as true and construes them in the light 16 most favorable to the non-moving party. Cedars–Sinai Medical Center v. National 17 League of Postmasters of U.S., 497 F.3d 972, 975 (9th Cir. 2007) (citation 18 omitted). The task of pleading her claims falls to the Plaintiff, however; the Court 19 will not supply facts she has not pled. See Ivey v. Bd. of Regents of Univ. of Alaska, 20 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982). 21 Tort Claims: United States 22 With respect to the tort claims (claims 6, 10, and 11) against DHS, the 23 government argues that claims against it fall within two exceptions to the FTCA’s 24 waiver of sovereign immunity: the discretionary function and independent 25 contractor exception. Morales-Alfaro bears the burden of establishing subject 26 matter jurisdiction under the FTCA’s general waiver of immunity, but the United 27 States bears the burden of proving the applicability of exceptions to the FTCA. 28 Senger v. United States, 103 F.3d 1437, 1444 (9th Cir. 1996). 5 20cv82 1 The TAC is ambiguous regarding the United States’ status as a Defendant. 2 FTCA claims can only be brought against the United States, not against federal 3 officers or agencies. Allen v. Veteran's Administration, 749 F.2d 1386, 1388 (9th 4 Cir. 1984). The FAC’s caption lists DHS, not the United States, as a Defendant. 5 However, the body of the complaint alleges that the United States is a Defendant. 6 Because the defect can easily be corrected by amendment, the Court need not 7 address it in this Order. 8 The TAC brings claims for negligence (claim 6), negligent infliction of 9 emotional distress (claim 10), and negligent supervision of DHS employees (claim 10 11) against DHS. The basis for claims 6 and 10 is that the government allegedly 11 knew about CoreCivic’s incompetence and poor management of the facility and 12 failed to do anything to correct it, and that the United States was negligent in 13 entering into contracts with CoreCivic. (TAC, ¶¶ 235–37, 242, 259–64.) These 14 claims against the United States all arise under the FTCA, and are governed by its 15 standards. 16 Independent Contractor Exception 17 It is undisputed that CoreCivic is an independent contractor. In most cases, 18 that would mean that the United States cannot be liable under the FTCA, and the 19 Court would lack jurisdiction over such claims. See Edison v. United States, 822 20 F.3d 510, 514, 517–18 (9th Cir. 2016). However, the exception does not bar claims 21 arising from a duty of care the United States could not or did not delegate. See id. 22 at 514. In other words, even if an independent contractor is involved, the United 23 States can still be held directly liable for its own negligence. Id. at 518. Morales 24 does not dispute that the United States is not vicariously liable for CoreCivic’s 25 actions or inaction. Rather, she argues the United States has retained 26 management authority over the detention facility, and is therefore directly liable to 27 her. 28 /// 6 20cv82 1 Edison is instructive here. In that case, the Ninth Circuit addressed claims 2 arising from an outbreak of coccidioidomycosis, where the United States knew 3 about the outbreak and allegedly failed to respond properly to protect prisoners. 4 Relying on the duties of landowners and jailers 3 under California law, the panel 5 held that the government had a duty to protect prisoners in its charge from 6 foreseeable harm. Because the government knew of a danger to prisoners and 7 retained power to take action (i.e., by formulating a policy responding to the 8 danger, or modifying prison facilities), its failure to take action violated its own duty. 9 Specifically, the panel held that although the government had delegated day-to- 10 day prison operations to a contractor, it had its “own duty to protect prisoners under 11 California law.” 822 F.3d at 521–22. 12 The TAC alleges in sweeping terms that the government knew pregnant 13 detainees were in danger, knew CoreCivic was not responding adequately to the 14 problem, and had authority to correct the situation. As noted, the government’s 15 motion represents a facial attack; thus, no evidence for or against any of these 16 allegations is before the Court, and none is properly considered at this stage of 17 litigation. 18 Discretionary Function Exception 19 Edison did not address the discretionary function exception. 822 F.3d at 20 522–23 n.9 (noting that the government had not invoked that exception, and that 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 3 Presumably this duty is the duty of private persons charged with the custody of prisoner, e.g., the operators of private prisons. See United States v. Olson, 546 U.S. 43, 45–46 (2005) (holding that liability under the FTCA is limited to liability that a private individual would face under analogous circumstances). To the extent the government’s obligations exceed those of private prison operators, the government can be liable only to the extent a private person would be. See United Scottish Ins. Co. v. United States, 614 F.2d 188, 192 (9th Cir. 1979) (in FTCA action, holding that violation of FAA regulations that applied only to the government should not be treated as amounting to negligence per se). 7 20cv82 1 the panel was not reaching that issue). Nor was it discussed or even mentioned in 2 another leading case Morales-Alfaro cites, Yanez v. United States, 63 F.3d 870 3 (9th Cir. 1995). But it has been squarely raised here. 4 Under 28 U.S.C. § 2680(a), the United States is not liable under the FTCA 5 for acts that are discretionary in nature, i.e., those that involve judgment or choice 6 and are based on considerations of public policy. United States v. Gaubert, 499 7 U.S. 315, 322–23 (1991). To survive a motion to dismiss on the basis of this 8 exception, a plaintiff must allege facts sufficient to support a finding that the 9 challenged actions cannot be said to be grounded in public policy. Id. at 324–25. 10 The government need not subjectively be exercising its discretion; it is enough if 11 the actions taken are susceptible to policy analysis. Id. at 325. 12 As alleged in the TAC, the government retains authority over CoreCivic in its 13 operation of the Otay Mesa detention facility. That being said, the government’s 14 authority is fairly high-level. The government has the authority to enter into 15 contracts, to require its contractors to maintain certain standards, to inspect 16 facilities, and to take steps to ensure compliance with contracts. The TAC does not 17 identify any relevant non-discretionary directives that DHS must follow, however. 18 Accepting the TAC’s allegations as true, the government knew there were 19 problems of the kind that might be expected to harm a detainee like Morales-Alfaro. 20 Nevertheless, the best way to address those problems, while balancing other 21 public policy considerations such as cost and security, involves policy decisions. 22 See, e.g., Alfrey v. United States, 276 F.3d 557, 564–65 (9th Cir. 2002) (Bureau 23 of Prisons’ determination about how to respond to threat to inmate was subject to 24 the discretionary function exception). 25 The decision to contract out to CoreCivic the function of operating the 26 detention facility was discretionary. See Marlys Bear Medicine v. U.S. ex rel. 27 Secretary of Dept. of Interior, 241 F.3d 1208, 1214 (9th Cir. 2001) (government’s 28 decision to contract out timber functions fell within discretionary function 8 20cv82 1 exception). Negligent supervision or failure to supervise — even if wrongful — also 2 falls within the exception. See Nanouk v. United States, 974 F.3d 941, 946 (9th 3 Cir. 2020) (Air Force personnel’s failure to supervise contractors’ disposal of 4 hazardous chemical waste fell within the exception); Nurse v. United States, 226 5 F.3d 996, 1001 (9th Cir. 2000) (failure to supervise employees fell within the 6 exception). While Morales-Alfaro argues that the government’s action or inaction 7 was “outside the bounds of its discretion,” this is in fact an argument based on 8 failure to perform a discretionary function or abuse of discretion, both of which are 9 specifically precluded by 28 U.S.C. § 2680(a). 10 The only non-discretionary duties on the government’s part that the TAC 11 points to pertain to reporting and record-keeping. While violation of these directives 12 might amount to general malfeasance, it is not alleged to have caused Morales- 13 Alfaro’s injury. Neither the TAC nor Morales-Alfaro’s briefing has not pointed to any 14 directive that would have stripped DHS of its discretion and created the kind of 15 specific directive her claims depend on. See Nanouk, 974 F.3d at 946 (holding that 16 “absence of a mandatory and specific directive” prevented plaintiff from prevailing). 17 To the contrary, she alleges that the lax enforcement of contractual requirements 18 requiring contractors to provide access to health care and treat detainees better is 19 consistent with government policy. (TAC, ¶¶ 71, 84, 149–50, 216.) Recommended 20 changes that would have mandated closer oversight by DHS were not adopted. 21 (Id., ¶ 94.) While the TAC alleges that DHS and ICE are “responsible for conducting 22 inspections to ensure compliance” with DHS standards and applicable law (id., 23 ¶ 96), it does not allege that DHS or ICE has a non-discretionary duty to do so. 24 Furthermore, the TAC makes clear that ICE contracts with inspectors to monitor 25 and enforce CoreCivic’s compliance. (TAC, ¶ 95.) This adds yet another layer of 26 “independent contractor” and “discretionary function” analysis. 27 /// 28 /// 9 20cv82 1 ICE Health Services Corps 2 The TAC alleges that health care at the Otay Mesa detention center is 3 provided by ICE Health Services Corps personnel, and Morales-Alfaro apparently 4 believes they acted negligently in carrying out their duties. “Ordinary occupational 5 or professional judgments are not protected by the discretionary-function 6 exception.” Alfrey, 276 F.3d at 566 (citation omitted). Nevertheless, the TAC 7 includes only sparse allegations against ICE Health Services personnel, and no 8 one she interacted with is clearly identified as an ICE or DHS employee. (See TAC, 9 ¶ 68 (alleging that pregnant detainees are taken outside the detention facility for 10 their medical visits).) 11 The TAC alleges Morales-Alfaro had an intake interview with a nurse on 12 December 24, 2017, 4 where she said she was pregnant and felt very bad, notified 13 the nurse that she had had a recent miscarriage, and said she thought she needed 14 iron pills and vitamins. (TAC, ¶ 171). While the TAC says the diet she was provided 15 was nutritionally deficient, it implies that this was CoreCivic’s responsibility, not that 16 of ICE personnel. The TAC alleges that, after being delayed by CoreCivic guards, 17 she was allowed a visit to the nurse on January 2, 2018 when she reported 18 bleeding and pain, and was given Tylenol. (Id., ¶ 178.) Her remaining interactions 19 with medical personnel were with the doctor who determined that the baby was not 20 viable, and one or more unidentified people who transported her to the hospital. 21 (Id., ¶ 184.) The TAC alleges that she was placed in restraints in violation of ICE 22 policies, but does not say who did that. (Id., ¶ 186.) The TAC contends that had 23 medical care not been delayed, she would not have suffered the miscarriage. (Id., 24 ¶ 185.) 25 26 27 28 4 The TAC says 2018, but this appears to be scrivener’s error. (See TAC, ¶ 6 (alleging that Morales-Alfaro was detained from December 25, 2017 to March 1, 2018).) 10 20cv82 1 Even if the nurses and doctor were ICE Health Services Corps personnel, 2 most of these allegations concern CoreCivic personnel. The TAC alleges that 3 CoreCivic guards — not nurses, the doctor, or ICE personnel — denied her 4 repeated requests for medical care, refused to provide her with sanitary supplies, 5 and would not allow her to see the nurse. (Id., ¶¶ 172–76, 180–82.)5 While it 6 identifies policies requiring that pregnant detainees be given access to prenatal 7 care and, if identified as high risk, referred to a physician. (Id., ¶¶ 73–74.) However, 8 the TAC appears to place the blame for non-compliance with this policy on 9 CoreCivic guards, rather than ICE personnel. 10 In her opposition brief, Morales-Alfaro argues that the second nurse was an 11 ICE employee. New allegations in opposition to a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss 12 may be considered when deciding whether to grant leave to amend, but are not 13 considered when ruling on the motion itself. See Schneider v. Cal. Dep't of Corr. & 14 Rehab., 151 F.3d 1194, 1197 n.1 (9th Cir. 1998). While the TAC does not 15 adequately plead a medical malpractice claim, it appears Morales-Alfaro intends 16 to raise one. She will therefore be permitted to amend to add allegations supporting 17 such a claim, if she so chooses. 18 Other Allegations 19 The TAC in passing alleges a conspiracy to violate civil rights. (TAC, ¶ 4.) 20 However, this is unsupported by any factual allegations. For the first time in her 21 opposition, Morales-Alfaro alleges “Physical violence by DHS employees.” (Docket 22 no. 45 at 16:15–16.) However, the allegations she cites refer to healthcare and 23 sanitary supplies, not violence. 24 25 26 27 28 5 Paragraph 179 alleges that “Rosenblatt” gave her no sanitary supplies, but the TAC is silent as to who Rosenblatt was, or what the circumstances were. For example, it does not say that Rosenblatt had sanitary supplies to give, or why it was Rosenblatt’s duty to provide them. 11 20cv82 1 Rehabilitation Act Damages Claim 2 CoreCivic’s motion points out that the TAC does not allege that it receives 3 financial assistance from the federal government, so as to bring it within the 4 Rehabilitation Act’s coverage. CoreCivic in response argues that receiving 5 contractual payments is enough. 6 While CoreCivic receives compensation under contracts, such payments do 7 not constitute “federal financial assistance” for purposes of § 794 unless they 8 involve a subsidy. See Hingson v. Pac. Southwest Airlines, 743 F.2d 1408, 1414 9 (9th Cir. 1984). See also Kimiko v. Alta Calif. Regional Ctr., 2020 WL 6146451, 10 slip op. at *3 (E.D. Cal., Oct. 20, 2020) (citing Jacobson v. Delta Airlines, Inc., 742 11 F.2d 1202, 1209 (9th Cir. 1984) (holding that “federal financial assistance” for 12 purposes of Rehabilitation Act does not include compensatory payment for 13 services). 14 Unless Morales-Alfaro can allege that CoreCivic receives federal financial 15 assistance, she cannot bring a Rehabilitation Act claim against it. See id. 16 (dismissing Rehabilitation Act claim). 17 Tort Claims: CoreCivic 18 CoreCivic argues that the negligence claims are inadequately pled, and that 19 derivative claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligent 20 supervision, and respondeat superior liability should be dismissed as well. 21 The TAC adequately alleges a number of deprivations that do not appear to 22 be required by federal policy — or in some cases are prohibited by federal policy 23 — and that could cause both the miscarriage and other harm Morales-Alfaro 24 alleges. For example, the TAC alleges CoreCivic’s guards ignored her repeated 25 requests for medical care for a week, and that if she had been allowed to see a 26 doctor earlier, the miscarriage likely would not have happened. (TAC, ¶¶ 182– 27 185.) The TAC alleges that she was provide a non-nutritious diet inappropriate for 28 a pregnant woman, was forced to try to sleep in the cold without a blanket or 12 20cv82 1 adequate coverings, and was denied necessary feminine hygiene products (Id., 2 ¶¶ 2, 131, 187, 207, 219.).) The TAC identifies these practices as violating federal 3 policy. (Id., ¶¶ 73–75.) It also alleges that on the day of her miscarriage Morales- 4 Alfaro was shackled or placed in restraints while being transported to and from the 5 hospital, in violation of federal policy. (Id., ¶ 184–86.) 6 Given the TAC’s ample allegations that CoreCivic consistently engaged in 7 harmful practices throughout the entire detention center over a long period of time, 8 including practices in violation of specific federal policies, the TAC has adequately 9 alleged a basis for punitive damages. 10 Certain other restrictions, e.g., that she was required to wear prison garb, not 11 given fresh fruits and vegetables to eat, and given only a few hours of time 12 outdoors each day, likely do not amount to negligence. But because the TAC 13 alleges enough practices to establish a claim of negligence, CoreCivic’s arguments 14 as to the tort claims must fail. 15 Motions to Strike 16 The allegations Defendants ask the Court to strike are not all strictly 17 necessary. Nevertheless, allegations about how another detainee was treated 18 months earlier, and other allegations suggesting deliberate oppression are 19 germane to the claim for punitive damages. 20 Obviously, some of the allegations are no longer necessary after this Order, 21 and Morales-Alfaro should omit those. Nevertheless, the Court finds no reason to 22 strike allegations at this time. 23 Conclusion and Order 24 The motions to dismiss are GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART. 25 All claims for injunctive and declaratory relief are DENIED AS MOOT. This 26 includes the Rehabilitation Act claim, to the extent it seeks declaratory 27 and injunctive relief. To the extent it seeks damages against CoreCivic, the 28 /// 13 20cv82 1 Rehabilitation Act claim is not moot, but nevertheless fails to state a claim and is 2 DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 3 FTCA claims against the United States are subject to the discretionary 4 function exception, and are DISMISSED WITHOUT LEAVE TO AMEND for that 5 reason. 6 While Morales-Alfaro might be able to bring medical negligence claims 7 against the government, she has not done so in the TAC. Nevertheless, she is not 8 precluded from raising such a claim in her fourth amended complaint. 9 10 CoreCivic’s motion to dismiss the tort claims against it is DENIED. The requests to strike are also DENIED. 11 No later than 21 calendar days from the date this order is entered, 12 Morales-Alfaro shall file a fourth amended complaint, omitting all claims denied as 13 moot, and all tort claims against DHS or the United States that she included in the 14 TAC. She is not precluded from adding medical malpractice claims against the 15 United States. 16 17 The complaint should correct pleading defects that have been pointed out. It should also omit allegations rendered unnecessary or inapposite by this Order. 18 19 20 IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: March 17, 2021 21 22 23 Honorable Larry Alan Burns United States District Judge 24 25 26 27 28 14 20cv82
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