Aisha Johnson

Correspondent

Aisha Johnson

Federal courthouse correspondent, covers civil rights, employment discrimination, housing rights, and Second Amendment disputes.

Civil Rights & Constitutional

Decisions covered by Aisha Johnson

1,080 decisions
Apr 21 2026
11th Cir. 1:25-cv-22896-KMW Published

Friends of the Everglades, Inc. v. Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security

The Eleventh Circuit vacated a district court's preliminary injunction against a state-built immigration detention facility, ruling that the National Environmental Policy Act does not apply. The court held that the facility was constructed and managed by Florida using state funds and personnel, meaning no final federal agency action triggered NEPA review.

Civil Labor
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Apr 21 2026
7th Cir. 25-2565 Panel Decision

WISCONSINITES FOR ALTERNATIVES TO SMOKING & TOBACCO INC v. DAVID CASEY, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction against Wisconsin's requirement for FDA authorization before selling electronic nicotine delivery systems. The court held that the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Tobacco Control Act do not preempt state laws regulating the sale of these products.

Civil Constitutional Securities
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Apr 20 2026
10th Cir. 1:24-CV-00225-KWR-LF Panel Decision

Lowrey v. Collela, et al.

The Tenth Circuit dismissed the appeal as moot regarding injunctive relief and affirmed the dismissal of other claims against state judges and legal aid attorneys. The court held that federal law bars prospective relief against judicial officers and that the legal aid defendants were not state actors subject to civil rights liability.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Mootness
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Apr 20 2026
5th Cir. 25-50247 Per Curiam

United States v. Garcia

The Fifth Circuit affirmed David Manuel Garcia's conviction for engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place, rejecting his Commerce Clause challenge as unpreserved plain error. The court held that Garcia failed to cite controlling authority establishing that the statute exceeds congressional power, meaning no clear or obvious error occurred.

Criminal Plain Error Review Sex Offenses
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Apr 20 2026
5th Cir. 25-30213 Panel Decision

Amanda Carter v. Chad Dupuy

The Fifth Circuit reversed the denial of summary judgment, holding that a deputy's brief push and pull of a mother at a school constituted de minimis force insufficient to violate the Fourth Amendment. Because the force used was nominal, the deputy is entitled to qualified immunity and the plaintiffs' federal and state law claims must be dismissed.

Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Apr 20 2026
4th Cir. 24-6490 Panel Decision

Spivey v. Breckon

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a federal inmate's Bivens action alleging inadequate medical care and excessive force, holding that no implied private right of action exists for these claims against federal prison officials. The court ruled that the plaintiff's allegations presented a new context distinct from Supreme Court precedent and that special factors counseled against extending Bivens remedies in this domain.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Eighth Amendment - Cruel & Unusual
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Apr 20 2026
9th Cir. 1:23-cr-00187-DCN-1 Unpublished

USA v. Aguirre

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to suppress evidence, ruling that an officer's opening of a driver's door was reasonable to ensure safety and facilitate communication. Even assuming the door opening was unlawful, the court held that probable cause for a vehicle search was independently established by a second officer detecting marijuana odor.

Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure
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