Opinion
CV-23-00329-PHX-MTL
03-29-2023
American Express National Bank, Plaintiff, v. Geremy Richards, et al., Defendants.
ORDER
MICHAEL T. LIBURDI, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
This action originated in the Kyrene Justice Peace Court because Plaintiff, American Express National Bank, alleges that Defendant, Geremy Richards, is delinquent on his credit card debt. Defendant removed the action to this Court on the basis of a federal defense, viz., “Defendant is in fact a Federally protected consumer as defined in Title 15 U.S. Code § 1692a(3) and as such reserves the right to validate all alleged claims of debt obligations pursuant to Title 15 U.S. Code § 1692g.” (Doc. 1)
Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. As such, this Court has an affirmative obligation to determine sua sponte whether it has subject matter jurisdiction. Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Allapattah Servs., Inc., 545 U.S. 546, 552 (2005). It is well-settled law that a defendant cannot invoke federal subject matter jurisdiction based on his assertion of a federal defense. Caterpillar Inc. v. Williams, 482 U.S. 386 (1987). That is precisely what Mr. Richards has done here. And there is no other basis for subject matter jurisdiction.
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED:
1. This case is remanded to the Kyrene Justice Court.
2. Defendants Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis is denied as moot. (Doc. 2)
3. Defendant's Motion for More Definite Statement is denied as moot. (Doc. 8)
4. The Clerk of Court is instructed to close this case.