Opinion
CV 02-2553 (RR) (ASC)
May 8, 2002
IVAN THEOPHILUS JOSEPH, Oakdale, LA, for Petitioner Pro Se
HONORABLE ALAN VINEGRAD, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, Brooklyn, New York, for Respondents
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Petitioner, Ivan Theophilus Joseph, a resident alien who is now incarcerated in the Immigration and Naturalization Service's ("INS") Oakdale, Louisiana holding facility, petitions this court for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 vacating the order of deportation pending against him. Joseph further moves for an emergency stay of deportation pending the outcome of his § 2241 petition. Petitioner asserts that the INS deportation order in his case was obtained in violation of the Constitution's Due Process Clause. After a careful review of Joseph's documents, the court concludes that even if this court has jurisdiction over his suit, his action is more appropriately venued in the Western District of Louisiana.
Factors to be considered in determining the appropriate venue for a § 2241 petition include (1) where the material events at issue took place, (2) where records and witnesses relevant to petitioner's claim are to be found, and (3) the convenience of the forum for both petitioner and respondent. See Henderson v. INS, 157 F.3d 106, 128 n. 25 (2d Cir. 1998) (citing Braden v. 30th Judicial Circuit Court of Kentucky, 410 U.S. 484, 493-94 (1973)); 28 U.S.C. § 1404 (a) ("For the convenience of parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice, a district court may transfer any civil action to any other district or division where it might have been brought."). Applying these factors to this case, it is apparent that the convenience of the parties and the interests of justice are best served by transferring this case to the Western District of Louisiana.
Joseph's basis for venue in this district is his one time residence in Brooklyn and the continued residence of his family members there. Since 1988, however, when he was convicted in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for narcotics and firearm offenses, see United States v. Joseph, 892 F.2d 118 (D.C. Cir. 1989), Joseph has been incarcerated outside this district. Indeed, when Joseph completed his sentence, he was immediately transferred from federal prison to the Oakdale facility for removal hearings before an INS Immigration Judge. It is those Oakdale proceedings that Joseph challenges in his § 2241 proceedings. Thus, the events material to petitioner's § 2241 claim all occurred in Louisiana, all material witnesses to his claim are located there, and the site is the most convenient forum for petitioner since that is where he is presently detained.
In the exercise of discretion and in furtherance of justice, this court hereby transfers this petition to the Western District of Louisiana. See 28 U.S.C. § 1404 (a). The provision of Rule 83.1 of the Local Rules for the Eastern District of New York requiring a five-day delay in the transfer of relevant case materials is waived. Upon prompt transfer of the case, the Clerk of the Court is to mark the case closed.