US: Court allows 'no-fly list' lawsuits, dissenters warn of danger

A divided federal appeals court Thursday said American Muslims who landed on the “No-Fly List” because of their refusal to become government informants can sue FBI agents for damages, prompting dissents that said the decision was dangerous and defied US Supreme Court precedents. In a 7-3 vote, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan refused to revisit its May 2018 decision by a three-judge panel allowing Muhammad Tanvir, Jameel Algibhah and Naveed Shinwari to seek monetary damages for being put on the list, despite no evidence they threatened airline or passenger safety. The plaintiffs, all US citizens or permanent residents who were born abroad, had sought damages under the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. They said their inclusion on the No-Fly List for refusing to spy on Muslim communities caused them to lose jobs, be unable to visit family and be stigmatised in their communities. None remains on the list. Story has background. <br/>