Opinion
Case No.:EDCV 11-01620 DMG (DTBx)
10-14-2011
US Bank National Association v. Lily Euwjong, et al.
CIVIL MINUTES—GENERAL
Present: The Honorable DOLLY M. GEE , UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
VALENCIA VALLERY
Deputy Clerk
NOT REPORTED
Court Reporter
Attorneys Present for Plaintiff(s)
None Present
Attorneys Present for Defendant(s)
None Present
Proceedings: IN CHAMBERS—ORDER REMANDING ACTION TO RIVERSIDE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
On September 15, 2011, Plaintiff U.S. Bank National Association filed a complaint in Riverside County Superior Court for unlawful detainer against Defendants Lily Euwjong, Ronny Jao, and Does 1 through 5. Plaintiff seeks possession of real property and restitution for Defendants' use and occupancy of the property in the amount of $60 per day starting on September 12, 2011. (Compl. at 2.) Defendants removed the case to this Court on October 7, 2011, asserting subject matter jurisdiction on the basis of a federal question, 28 U.S.C. § 1331, and diversity of citizenship, id. § 1332(a).
"The burden of establishing federal subject matter jurisdiction falls on the party invoking removal." Marin Gen. Hosp. v. Modesto & Empire Traction Co., 581 F.3d 941, 944 (9th Cir. 2009) (citing Toumajian v. Frailey, 135 F.3d 648, 652 (9th Cir. 1998)). There is a "strong presumption against removal jurisdiction," and courts must reject it "if there is any doubt as to the right of removal in the first instance." Geographic Expeditions, Inc. v. Estate of Lhotka ex rel. Lhotka, 599 F.3d 1102, 1107 (9th Cir. 2010) (quoting Gaus v. Miles, Inc., 980 F.2d 564, 566 (9th Cir. 1992) (per curiam)) (internal quotation marks omitted).
The complaint raises no federal question. Federal jurisdiction cannot rest upon an actual or anticipated defense or counterclaim. Vaden v. Discover Bank,___U.S. ___, 129 S.Ct. 1262, 1272, 173 L.Ed.2d 206 (2009). Nor does the complaint reveal a basis for diversity jurisdiction. The amount in controversy is well below the $75,000 jurisdictional threshold for diversity jurisdiction. The caption of the underlying state court complaint clearly states that the amount of damages sought by Plaintiff does not exceed $10,000.
As Defendants have not established a basis for subject matter jurisdiction, this action is hereby REMANDED to Riverside County Superior Court.
IT IS SO ORDERED.