Bluman v. Federal Election Commission

Issue: Whether Congress violates the First Amendment by making it a crime for individuals who lawfully reside in the United States, but are neither U.S. citizens nor “permanent residents” under the immigration laws, to make independent expenditures or campaign contributions in connection with any federal, state, or local election; or whether, as the district court held, the ban satisfies strict scrutiny as a “piecemeal” attempt to reduce the “influence” on “how voters will cast their ballots” of aliens whom Congress may suspect of lacking “primary loyalty” to the nation.

Judgment: Affirmed on January 9, 2012.

Briefs and Documents

Certiorari-stage documents

• Jurisdictional statement
• Opinion below (D.D.C.)
• Opposition to motion to dismiss or affirm
• Amicus brief of Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights et al.
• Amicus brief of Institute for Justice
• Motion of Federal Election Commission to dismiss or affirm