Tanzin v. Tanvir
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Tanzin v. Tanvir and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Tanzin v. Tanvir.
The Supreme Court decided that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) allows for monetary damages against federal officials in their individual capacities. This decision arose from a case where practicing Muslims claimed federal agents placed them on the No Fly List for refusing to act as informants. The Second Circuit's decision to allow such claims was affirmed.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Tanzin v. Tanvir.
The Court held that RFRA's express remedies provision permits litigants to obtain money damages against federal officials in their individual capacities.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Tanzin v. Tanvir. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Free Exercise of Religion is relevant to Tanzin v. Tanvir
The case involves the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was enacted to provide a remedy for violations of the right to free exercise under the First Amendment.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) was enacted in the wake of Employment Div., Dept. of Human Resources of Ore. v. Smith, 494 U. S. 872, to provide a remedy to redress Federal Government violations of the right to free exercise under the First Amendment.
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Why Remedies and Relief is relevant to Tanzin v. Tanvir
The Court's holding focuses on the availability of monetary damages as a form of relief under RFRA against federal officials in their individual capacities.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Held: RFRA's express remedies provision permits litigants, when appropriate, to obtain money damages against federal officials in their individual capacities.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Tanzin v. Tanvir that support the summary and concepts above.
RFRA's express remedies provision permits litigants, when appropriate, to obtain money damages against federal offcials in their individual capacities.
RFRA's text provides that persons may sue and 'obtain appropriate relief against a government.'
Damages have long been awarded as appropriate relief.
