NEW York City has agreed to pay $92.5 million to settle a lawsuit.
The suit alleged that the city unlawfully held individuals past their release dates.
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A class action lawsuit filed against New York City claims that plaintiffs were held in custody longer than necessary.
The detentions were due to requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The settlement from the New York City Department of Correction covers people who were held past their scheduled release between April 1, 1997, and Dec. 21, 2012.
Despite this, all other conditions for release were met and the only cause was an ICE detainer.
A number of requirements must be fulfilled to be eligible for a portion of the funds.
The settlement identifies two subclasses: the Statute of Limitations Group and the Recent Group.
The Statute of Limitations Group includes those detained past release from April 1, 1997, to Jan. 31, 2007.
The Recent Group includes individuals detained past release between Feb. 1, 2007, and Dec. 21, 2012.
According to the class action suit, the Department of Correction allegedly held people longer than legally allowed based solely on these ICE detainer requests.
Plaintiffs say that the department only had the authority to detain individuals for 48 hours, according to ICE documents, but regularly exceeded that limit.
The Department of Correction oversees New York City’s jail system, correctional facilities, and rehabilitation programs.
Though the city denies any wrongdoing, it has agreed to the $92.5 million settlement to end the lawsuit.
Eligible individuals will receive compensation depending on how long they were unlawfully held.
Payout amounts will vary based on the number of days a person was over-detained and the category they fall under.
What’s a class-action settlement?
Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or ‘classes,’ a way to band together in court.
These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.
When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.
Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.
These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.
Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company’s doorstep.
According to the settlement website, Recent Group members may receive between $20,000 and $48,000 on average.
Statute of Limitations Group members are expected to receive an average of between $10,000 and $24,000.
The deadline to request exclusion from or object to the settlement is May 15, 2025.
The final court hearing to approve the settlement is set for Oct. 6, 2025.
To receive compensation, eligible class members must submit a valid claim form by May 15, 2025.
The forms may also be printed and sent by mail to the address provided by the settlement administrator.
