sosa et argued march decided june counsel record petitioner sosa carter phillips sidley austin brown wood llp washington dc washington dc respondents et al paul hoffman schonbrun desimone seplow harris hoffman llp venice ca respondent theodore olson solicitor general washington dc drug enforcement administration dea approved using petitioner sosa mexican nationals abduct respondent alvarez also mexican national mexico stand trial dea agent torture murder relevant acquittal alvarez sued false arrest federal tort claims act ftca waives sovereign immunity suits personal injury caused negligent wrongful act omission government employee acting within scope office employment sued sosa violating law nations alien tort statute ats law giving district courts original jurisdiction civil action alien tort committed violation law nations district dismissed ftca claim awarded alvarez summary judgment damages ats claim ninth circuit affirmed ats judgment reversed ftca claim dismissal held ftca exception waiver sovereign immunity claims arising foreign country bars claims based injury suffered foreign country regardless tortious act omission occurred pp exception face seems plainly applicable facts case alvarez arrest said false thus tortious extent took place endured mexico nonetheless ninth circuit allowed action proceed known headquarters doctrine concluding alvarez abduction direct result wrongful planning direction dea agents california claim aris foreign country virtually always possible assert negligent activity occurring analysis must viewed skepticism two considerations confirm skepticism lead reject headquarters doctrine pp first consideration applies cases like one harm arguably caused action foreign country planning proximate cause necessary connect domestic breach duty action foreign country headquarters behavior must sufficiently close ultimate injury sufficiently important producing make reasonable follow liability back behavior proximate cause connection sufficient bar foreign country exception application since given proximate cause may harm exclusive proximate cause example assuming dea officials direction proximate cause abduction actions sosa others mexico thus recognition additional domestic causation leaves open question whether exception applies alvarez claim pp second consideration rooted fact harm occurred foreign soil good reason think congress understood claim arising foreign country claim injury harm occurring country common usage arising contemporary state borrowing statutes used determine state limitations statute applied cases transjurisdictional facts language interpreted tort cases way reads ftca today moreover specific reason believe using arising refer place harm central foreign country exception object ftca passed courts generally applied law place injury occurred tort cases foreign law plaintiff injured foreign country however application foreign substantive law congress intended avoid foreign country exception applying headquarters doctrine thus thwarted exception object recasting foreign injury claims claims arising foreign country domestic planning negligence headquarters doctrine outgrown tension exception traditional approach choice substantive tort law lost favor many still use analysis least cases ninth circuit approach treat arising headquarters even later methodologies choice point application foreign law also merit argument headquarters doctrine permitted state choice law approach apply foreign law place injury congress write exception apply foreign law applied rather exception written time arising meant harm occurred odds congress meant simply used phrase pp alvarez entitled recover damages sosa ats pp limited implicit sanction entertain handful international law cum common law claims understood authority recognize ats right action alvarez asserts contrary alvarez claim ats jurisdictional statute creating new causes action mean sosa contends ats stillborn claim relief required statute expressly authorizing adoption causes action rather reasonable inference history practice ats intended practical effect moment became law understanding common law provide cause action modest number international law violations thought carry personal liability time offenses ambassadors violation safe conducts piracy sosa objections view unpersuasive pp correct assume first congress understood district courts recognize private causes action certain torts violation law nations development law last two centuries categorically precluded federal courts recognizing claim law nations element common law good reasons restrained conception discretion federal exercise considering new cause action deriving standard assessing alvarez particular claim suffices look historical antecedents persuade federal courts recognize claims federal common law violations international law norm less definite content acceptance among civilized nations paradigms familiar enacted pp several reasons argue great caution adapting law nations private rights first prevailing conception common law changed since enacted accepted conception common law found discovered understood cases asked state formulate common law principle new context made created hence judge deciding reliance international norm find substantial element discretionary judgment decision second along part driven conceptual development come equally significant rethinking federal courts role making common law erie tompkins denied existence federal general common law largely withdrew havens specialty general practice look legislative guidance exercising innovative authority substantive law third decision create private right action better left legislative judgment cases correctional services malesko fourth potential implications foreign relations recognizing private causes action violating international law make courts particularly wary impinging discretion legislative executive branches managing foreign affairs fifth congressional mandate seek define new debatable violations law nations modern indications congressional understanding judicial role field affirmatively encouraged greater judicial creativity pp ii limit judicial recognition adopted fatal alvarez claim alvarez contends prohibition arbitrary arrest attained status binding customary international law arrest arbitrary applicable law authorized thus invokes general prohibition arbitrary detention defined officially sanctioned action exceeding positive authorization detain domestic law government however cites little authority rule broad status binding customary norm today certainly cites nothing justify federal courts taking rule predicate federal lawsuit implications breathtaking create cause action seizure alien violation fourth amendment supplanting actions bivens six unknown fed narcotics agents provide damages violations create federal action arrests state officers simply exceed authority state law alvarez failure marshal support rule underscored restatement third foreign relations law refers prolonged arbitrary detention relatively brief detention excess positive authority whatever may said broad principle expresses aspiration exceeding binding customary rule specificity requires pp reversed souter delivered opinion parts iii unanimous part ii joined rehnquist stevens scalia kennedy thomas part iv joined stevens kennedy ginsburg breyer jj scalia filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment rehnquist thomas joined ginsburg filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment breyer joined breyer filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment jose francisco sosa petitioner humberto et al petitioner humberto et al writs certiorari appeals ninth circuit june justice souter delivered opinion two issues whether respondent allegation drug enforcement administration instigated abduction mexico criminal trial supports claim government federal tort claims act ftca act whether may recover alien tort statute ats hold entitled remedy either statute considered underlying facts agent drug enforcement administration dea enrique captured assignment mexico taken house guadalajara tortured course interrogation murdered based part eyewitness testimony dea officials came believe respondent humberto alvarez mexican physician present house acted prolong agent life order extend interrogation torture federal grand jury indicted alvarez torture murder district central district california issued warrant arrest en banc dea asked mexican government help getting alvarez requests negotiations proved fruitless dea approved plan hire mexican nationals seize alvarez bring trial planned group mexicans including petitioner jose francisco sosa abducted alvarez house held overnight motel brought private plane el paso texas arrested federal officers ibid american custody alvarez moved dismiss indictment ground seizure outrageous governmental conduct violated extradition treaty mexico district agreed ninth circuit affirmed reversed holding fact alvarez forcible seizure affect jurisdiction federal case tried ended close government case district granted alvarez motion judgment acquittal returning mexico alvarez began civil action us sued sosa mexican citizen dea operative antonio five unnamed mexican civilians four dea agents far matters alvarez sought damages ftca alleging false arrest sosa ats violation law nations former statute authorizes suit personal injury caused negligent wrongful act omission employee government acting within scope office employment latter provides entirety district courts shall original jurisdiction civil action alien tort committed violation law nations treaty district granted government motion dismiss ftca claim awarded summary judgment damages alvarez ats claim panel ninth circuit affirmed ats judgment reversed dismissal ftca claim divided en banc came conclusion ats claim called precedent ats provides federal courts subject matter jurisdiction also creates cause action alleged violation law nations circuit relied upon called clear universally recognized norm prohibiting arbitrary arrest detention support conclusion alvarez arrest amounted tort violation international law ftca claim ninth circuit held dea authority effect alvarez arrest detention mexico liable california law tort false arrest granted certiorari companion cases clarify scope ftca ats reverse ii government seeks reversal judgment liability ftca two principal grounds argues arrest tortious authorized setting arrest authority dea says event liability asserted falls within ftca exception waiver sovereign immunity claims arising foreign country think exception applies decide ground ftca designed primarily remove sovereign immunity suits tort certain specific exceptions render government liable tort private individual like circumstances richards see also act accordingly gives federal district courts jurisdiction claims injury caused negligent wrongful act omission employee government acting within scope office employment circumstances private person liable claimant accordance law place act omission occurred act also limits waiver sovereign immunity number ways see waiver ny claim arising loss miscarriage negligent transmission letters postal matter ny claim damages caused imposition establishment quarantine ny claim arising activities panama canal company significant limitation waiver immunity act exception ny claim arising foreign country provision face seems plainly applicable facts case ninth circuit view alvarez within borders detention tortious see appellate suggested government liability alvarez rested solely upon false arrest claim alvarez arrest however said false thus tortious extent took place endured actions mexico thus naturally understood kernel claim arising foreign country barred suit exception waiver immunity notwithstanding straightforward language foreign country exception ninth circuit allowed action proceed come known headquarters doctrine courts appeals reasoning entire scheme ftca focuses place negligent wrongful act omission government employee occurred sami cadc concluded foreign country exception exempt suit acts omissions occurring operative effect another country refusing apply communiqué sent federal law enforcement officer resulted plaintiff wrongful detention germany headquarters claims typically involve allegations negligent guidance office within employees cause damage foreign country activities take place within foreign country cominotto instances courts concluded bar suit reasoning ninth circuit since alvarez abduction mexico direct result wrongful acts planning direction dea agents located california alvarez abduction fits headquarters doctrine like glove working dea offices los angeles dea agents made decision kidnap alvarez gave mexican intermediary precise instructions recruit seize alvarez treated trip dea officials washington approved details operation alvarez abducted according plan dea agents supervised transportation telling arrest team land plane obtaining clearance el paso landing california particular served command central operation carried mexico thus ninth circuit held alvarez claim aris foreign country potential effect sort headquarters analysis flashes yellow caution light virtually always possible assert negligent activity injured plaintiff abroad consequence faulty training selection supervision even less lack careful training selection supervision beattie cadc scalia dissenting legal malpractice claims knisley supp sd ohio allegations negligent medical care newborn supp dc even cases eaglin dept army repackaged headquarters claims based failure train failure warn offering bad advice adoption negligent policy approve headquarters exception foreign country exception claim become standard part ftca litigation cases potentially implicating foreign country exception beattie supra scalia dissenting headquarters doctrine threatens swallow foreign country exception whole certainly pleadings stage need skepticism borne two considerations one pertinent cases like one harm arguably caused individual action foreign country well planning suggested simply harm occurred foreign soil although every headquarters case rested explicit analysis proximate causation notion cause necessary connect domestic breach duty headquarters action foreign country case like producing foreign harm injury necessary words conclude act omission home headquarters sufficiently close ultimate injury sufficiently important producing make reasonable follow liability back headquarters behavior way behavior headquarters properly seen act omission ftca liability must rest see cominotto supra headquarters claim exists negligent acts proximately cause harm foreign country eaglin supra noting headquarters cases require plausible proximate nexus connection acts omissions resulting damage injury foreign country recognizing connection proximate cause domestic behavior foreign harm injury however sufficient bar application foreign country exception claim resting foreign consequence proximate cause causation substantial enough close enough harm recognized law given proximate cause need frequently exclusive proximate cause harm see jur discussing proper jury instructions cases involving multiple proximate causes beattie supra scalia dissenting ordinary case may several points along chain causality pertinent enquiry example assuming direction dea officials california proximate cause abduction actions sosa others mexico surely proximate causes well thus understanding california planning legal cause harm way eliminates conclusion claim arose harm proximately caused acts mexico recognition additional domestic causation headquarters doctrine leaves open question whether exception applies claim domestic proximate causation headquarters doctrine fail eliminate application foreign country exception good reason think congress understood claim arising foreign country way bar application headquarters doctrine good reason conclude congress understood claim arising foreign country claim injury harm occurring foreign country sense arising common usage state borrowing statutes contemporary act operated determine state statute limitations apply cases involving transjurisdictional facts ftca passed general rule set various state statutes cause action arising another jurisdiction barred laws jurisdiction also barred domestic courts borrowing statutes typically restricted express terms situations cause action time barred state cause action arose accrued originated emphasis original critically present purposes variations theme arising interpreted tort cases way read ftca today commentator noted purposes borrowing statutes courts unanimously hold cause action sounding tort arises jurisdiction last act necessary establish liability occurred jurisdiction injury received ester borrowing statutes limitation conflict laws rev moreover specific reason believe using arising referring place harm central object foreign country exception tort action based acts government employee causing harm outside state district action filed requires determination source substantive law govern liability ftca passed dominant principle choice law analysis tort cases lex loci delicti courts generally applied law place injury occurred see richards per curiam noting texas apply cambodian law action involving explosion cambodia artillery round manufactured thomas fmc supp md applying german law determine american manufacturer liability negligently designing manufacturing howitzer killed decedent germany quandt beech aircraft supp del noting italian law applies allegations negligent manufacture kansas resulted airplane crash italy manos trans world airlines supp nd applying italian law determine american corporation liability negligent manufacture plane crashed italy see also dallas whitney ohio law applied blasting operations west virginia highway caused property damage ohio cameron vandergriff ark arkansas law applied blasting rock indian territory inflicted injury plaintiff arkansas application foreign substantive law exemplified cases however congress intended avoid foreign country exception house committee judiciary considered early draft ftca exempted claims arising foreign country behalf alien bill revised suggestion attorney general omit last five words explaining amendment house committee judiciary assistant attorney general shea said laims arising foreign country exempted bill whether claimant alien since liability determined law situs wrongful act omission wise restrict bill claims arising country seems desirable law particular state applied otherwise lead think good deal difficulty hearings et al house committee judiciary amended version enacted law constitutes current text foreign country exception thus codified congress unwilling ness subject liabilities depending upon laws foreign power spelar see also sami noting spelar explanation attempting recast object behind foreign country exception leaf object avoid application substantive foreign law congress evidently used modifier arising foreign country refer claims based foreign harm injury fact trigger application foreign law determine liability object addressed quoted phrase obviously thwarted however applying headquarters doctrine doctrine displaced exception recasting claims foreign injury claims arising foreign country planning negligence domestic headquarters turn resulted applying foreign law place injury accordance rule headquarters jurisdiction practical matter said headquarters doctrine outgrown tension exception true traditional approach choice substantive tort law lost favor simson revolution notes rereading von mehren cornell traditional methodology place wrong receded importance new approaches concepts governmental interest analysis significant relationship better rule law taken center stage footnotes omitted good many still employ essentially choice law analysis tort cases first restatement exemplified symeonides choice law american courts comp ten continue adhere traditional method tort conflicts see raskin allison app traditional choice law principles largely reflected original restatement mexican law applied boating accident mexican waters injuries sustained mexican waters equally point least cases appeals approach treat arising headquarters foreign country even later methodologies choice point application foreign law second restatement encouraging general shift towards using flexible balancing analysis inform choice includes default rule tort cases rooted traditional approach action personal injury local law state injury occurred determines rights liabilities parties unless state significant relationship occurrence parties restatement second conflict laws see also comment occasion conduct personal injury occur different instances local law state injury usually applied determine issues involving tort practice new dispensation frequently leads traditional application law jurisdiction injury see dorman emerson elec applying canadian law negligent saw design missouri caused injury canada bing halstead supp sdny applying costa rican law letter written mailed arizona caused mental distress costa rica mckinnon morgan applying canadian law defective bicycle sold vermont caused injuries quebec sum current flexibility choice law methodology gives assurance applying foreign substantive law federal courts follow headquarters doctrine assume jurisdiction tort claims government foreign harm based experience noted expectation application headquarters doctrine fact result substantial number cases applying foreign law foreign country exception meant concluding headquarters analysis part applying foreign country exception however word needed answer argument selective application headquarters doctrine permitted state choice law approach apply foreign law place injury see agent orange product liability litigation supp edny noting purpose exception apply litigation hand foreign law implicated point well taken course congress written exception apply foreign law applied congress said provision exception claim arises foreign country written time phrase arising used state statutes express position claim arises harm occurs odds congress meant simply used arising finally even stretch equate arising foreign country implicating foreign law result accepting headquarters analysis foreign injury cases application foreign law ensue scheme federal jurisdiction vary state state benefiting penalizing plaintiffs accordingly idea congress intended jurisdictional variety implausible drive analysis point grafting even selective headquarters exception onto foreign country exception therefore hold ftca foreign country exception bars claims based injury suffered foreign country regardless tortious act omission occurred iii alvarez also brought action ats petitioner sosa argues supporting relief ats statute vest federal courts jurisdiction neither creating authorizing courts recognize particular right action without congressional action although agree statute terms jurisdictional think time enactment jurisdiction enabled federal courts hear claims limited category defined law nations recognized common law believe however limited implicit sanction entertain handful international law cum common law claims understood taken authority recognize right action asserted alvarez judge friendly called ats legal lohengrin iit vencap one seems know whence came years enactment provided jurisdiction one case first congress passed part judiciary act providing new federal district courts shall also cognizance concurrent courts several circuit courts case may causes alien sues tort violation law nations treaty act ch stat parties amici advance radically different historical interpretations terse provision alvarez says ats intended simply jurisdictional grant authority creation new cause action torts violation international law think reading implausible enacted ats gave district courts cognizance certain causes action term bespoke grant jurisdiction power mold substantive law see federalist pp cooke ed hamilton using jurisdiction interchangeably cognizance fact ats placed judiciary act statute otherwise exclusively concerned jurisdiction support strictly jurisdictional nature distinction jurisdiction cause action elided drafters act voted fisher ames put substantial difference jurisdiction courts rules decision annals cong gales ed unsurprising authority historical origins ats written section clearly create statutory cause action contrary suggestion simply frivolous casto federal courts protective jurisdiction torts committed violation law nations rev hereinafter casto law nations cf dodge constitutionality alien tort statute observations text context sum think statute intended jurisdictional sense addressing power courts entertain cases concerned certain subject holding ats jurisdictional raises new question one interaction ats time enactment ambient law era sosa ats stillborn claim relief without statute expressly authorizing adoption causes action amici professors federal jurisdiction legal history take different tack federal courts entertain claims jurisdictional grant books torts violation law nations recognized within common law time brief vikram amar et al amici curiae think history practice give edge latter position declared independence bound receive law nations modern state purity refinement ware hylton dall wilson years early republic law nations comprised two principal elements first covering general norms governing behavior national science teaches rights subsisting nations obligations correspondent rights de vattel law nations preliminaries chitty et al transl ed hereinafter vattel omitted code public instruction defines rights prescribes duties nations intercourse james kent commentaries aspect law nations thus occupied executive legislative domains judicial see blackstone commentaries laws england hereinafter commentaries ffenses law nations principally incident whole nations law nations included second pedestrian element however fall within judicial sphere body law regulating conduct individuals situated outside domestic boundaries consequently carrying international savor blackstone law nations sense implicated mercantile questions bills exchange like marine causes relating freight average demurrage insurances bottomry disputes relating prizes shipwrecks hostages ransom bills law merchant emerged customary practices international traders admiralty required transnational regulation law nations sense precursors spoke explained status coast fishing vessels wartime grew ancient usage among civilized nations beginning centuries ago gradually ripening rule international law paquete habana finally sphere rules binding individuals benefit individuals overlapped norms state relationships blackstone referred mentioned three specific offenses law nations addressed criminal law england violation safe conducts infringement rights ambassadors piracy commentaries assault ambassador example impinged upon sovereignty foreign nation adequately redressed rise issue war see vattel narrow set violations law nations admitting judicial remedy time threatening serious consequences international affairs probably minds men drafted ats reference tort ats distinctly american preoccupation hybrid international norms taken shape owing distribution political power independence period confederation continental congress hamstrung inability cause infractions treaties law nations punished madison journal constitutional convention scott ed congress implored vindicate rights law nations words echo blackstone congressional resolution called upon state legislatures provide expeditious exemplary adequate punishment violation safe conducts passports hostility amity infractions immunities ambassadors public ministers infractions treaties conventions party journals continental congress hunt ed hereinafter journals continental congress resolution recommended authorise suits damages party injured compensation damage sustained injury done foreign power citizen cf vattel whoever offends public minister punished state expense delinquent give full satisfaction sovereign offended person minister apparently one state acted upon recommendation see first laws state connecticut cushing ed compilation exact date act unknown congress done signal commitment enforce law nations appreciation continental congress incapacity deal class cases intensified marbois incident may french adventurer longchamps verbally physically assaulted secretary french legion philadelphia see respublica de longchamps dall phila congress called state legislation addressing matters concern inadequate vindication law nations persisted time constitutional convention see records federal convention farrand ed speech randolph convention fact new york city constable produced reprise marbois affair secretary jay reported congress dutch ambassador protest explanation federal government appear vested judicial powers competent cognizance judgment cases casto law nations framers responded vesting original jurisdiction cases affecting ambassadors public ministers consuls art iii first congress followed judiciary act reinforced original jurisdiction suits brought diplomats see stat ch created alienage jurisdiction course included ats see generally randall federal jurisdiction international law claims inquiries alien tort statute pol discussing foreign affairs implications judiciary act casto early republic although congress modified draft became judiciary act see generally warren new light history federal judiciary act harv rev made hardly changes provisions aliens including became ats see casto law nations record congressional discussion private actions might subject jurisdictional provision need legislation create private remedies record even debate section given poverty drafting history modern commentators necessarily concentrated text remarking innovative use word tort see sweeney tort violation law nations hastings comp rev arguing tort refers law prize statute mixture terms expansive suits see casto law nations restrictive tort see randall supra limiting suits torts opposed commercial actions especially british plaintiffs historical scholarship also placed ats within competition federalist antifederalist forces national role foreign relations nonexclusiveness federal jurisdiction ats may reflect compromise despite considerable scholarly attention fair say consensus understanding congress intended proven elusive still history tend support two propositions first every reason suppose first congress pass ats jurisdictional convenience placed shelf use future congress state legislature might day authorize creation causes action decide make element law nations actionable benefit foreigners anxieties preconstitutional period ignored easily enough think statute meant practical effect consider principal draftsman ats apparently oliver previously member continental congress passed resolution member connecticut legislature made good congressional request see generally brown life oliver ellsworth consider first congress attentive enough law nations recognize certain offenses expressly criminal including three mentioned blackstone see act punishment certain crimes stat murder robbery capital crimes punishable piracy committed high seas violation safe conducts assaults ambassadors punished imprisonment fines described infract ions law nations passing strange ellsworth congress vest federal courts expressly jurisdiction entertain civil causes brought aliens alleging violations law nations effect whatever congress take action much historical record believe congress enacted ats leave lying fallow indefinitely second inference drawn history congress intended ats furnish jurisdiction relatively modest set actions alleging violations law nations uppermost legislative mind appears offenses ambassadors see violations safe conduct probably understood actionable individual actions arising prize captures piracy may well also contemplated common law appears understood three hybrid variety definite actionable rate assumed limited set claims blackstone put offences law nations principally incident whole nations individuals seeking relief commentaries sparse contemporaneous cases legal materials referring ats tend confirm inferences torts violation law nations understood within common law bolchos darrel cas district doubt admiralty jurisdiction suit damages brought french privateer mortgagee british slave ship assuaged assuming ats jurisdictional basis action moxon fanny cas contrary case owners british ship sought damages seizure waters french privateer district said dictum ats proper vehicle suit called suit tort property well damages supposed trespass sought judge gave intimation legislation needed give district jurisdiction suit limited damages opinion attorney general william bradford asked whether criminal prosecution available americans taken part french plunder british slave colony sierra leone op atty bradford uncertain made clear federal open prosecution tort action growing episode doubt company individuals injured acts hostility remedy civil suit courts jurisdiction expressly given courts cases alien sues tort violation laws nations treaty although conceivable bradford prosecuted marbois incident see casto law nations assumed violation treaty op atty certainly obvious appears likely bradford understood ats provide jurisdiction must amounted common law causes action indications ats meant underwrite litigation narrow set common law actions derived law nations sosa raises two main objections first claims conclusion makes sense view continental congress recommendation state legislatures pass laws authorizing suits sosa thinks state legislation absurd reply brief petitioner sosa common law remedies available second sosa juxtaposes blackstone treatise mentioning violations law nations occasions criminal remedies statute innovative reference tort evidence familiar set legal actions exercise jurisdiction ats neither argument convincing notion absurd continental congress recommend pass positive law duplicate remedies already available common law rests misunderstanding relationship common law positive law late century positive law frequently relied upon reinforce give standard expression brooding omnipresence common law thought discoverable reason blackstone clarified relation positive law law nations acts parliament time time made enforce universal law facilitate execution decisions considered introductive new rule merely declaratory old fundamental constitutions kingdom without must cease part civilized world commentaries indeed sosa argument undermined resolution principally relies notwithstanding undisputed fact per blackstone common law afforded criminal law remedies violations law nations continental congress encouraged state legislatures pass criminal statutes effect first congress supra convinced sosa argument legislation conferring right action needed blackstone treated international law offenses rubric public wrongs whereas ats uses word tort relatively uncommon legal vernacular day true blackstone refer deemed three principal offenses law nations course discussing criminal sanctions observing interest sovereigns animadvert upon becoming severity peace world may maintained commentaries vattel explicitly linked criminal sanction offenses ambassadors requirement state expense delinquent give full satisfaction sovereign offended person minister vattel cf stephens individuals enforcing international law comparative historical context depaul rev observing mixed approach international law violations encompassing criminal prosecution compensation injured civil suit familiar founding generation resolution goes step showing private remedy thought necessary diplomatic offenses law nations attorney general letter well two early federal precedents discussing ats point prevalent assumption congress intend ats sit shelf future time might enact legislation sum although ats jurisdictional statute creating new causes action reasonable inference historical materials statute intended practical effect moment became law jurisdictional grant best read enacted understanding common law provide cause action modest number international law violations potential personal liability time iv think correct assume first congress understood district courts recognize private causes action certain torts violation law nations though found basis suspect congress examples mind beyond torts corresponding blackstone three primary offenses violation safe conducts infringement rights ambassadors piracy assume development two centuries enactment birth modern line cases beginning filartiga categorically precluded federal courts recognizing claim law nations element common law congress relevant way amended limited civil common law power another statute still good reasons restrained conception discretion federal exercise considering new cause action kind accordingly think courts require claim based law nations rest norm international character accepted civilized world defined specificity comparable features paradigms recognized requirement fatal alvarez claim series reasons argue judicial caution considering kinds individual claims might implement jurisdiction conferred early statute first prevailing conception common law changed since way counsels restraint judicially applying internationally generated norms enacted accepted conception common law transcendental body law outside particular state obligatory within unless changed statute black white taxicab transfer brown yellow taxicab transfer holmes dissenting however cases asked state formulate common law principle new context general understanding law much found discovered either made created holmes explained famously substance growth law legislative considerations judges rarely mention always apology secret root law draws juices life mean course considerations expedient community concerned common law howe ed one need accept holmesian view far ultimate implications acknowledge judge deciding reliance international norm find substantial element discretionary judgment decision second along part driven conceptual development understanding common law come equally significant rethinking role federal courts making erie tompkins watershed denied existence federal general common law largely withdrew havens specialty defined express congressional authorization devise body law directly textile workers lincoln mills interpretation agreements fed rule evid evidentiary privileges cases elsewhere thought order create federal common law rules interstitial areas particular federal interest kimbell foods although even assumed competence make judicial rules decision particular importance foreign relations act state doctrine see banco nacional de cuba sabbatino general practice look legislative guidance exercising innovative authority substantive law remarkable take aggressive role exercising jurisdiction remained largely shadow much prior two centuries third recently repeatedly said decision create private right action one better left legislative judgment great majority cases correctional services malesko alexander sandoval creation private right action raises issues beyond mere consideration whether underlying primary conduct allowed entailing example decision permit enforcement without check imposed prosecutorial discretion accordingly even congress made clear statute rule applies purely domestic conduct reluctant infer intent provide private cause action statute supply one expressly absence congressional action addressing private rights action international norm equivocal failure provide right creates statute possible collateral consequences making international rules privately actionable argue judicial caution fourth subject collateral consequences reason high bar new private causes action violating international law potential implications foreign relations recognizing causes make courts particularly wary impinging discretion legislative executive branches managing foreign affairs one thing american courts enforce constitutional limits state federal governments power quite another consider suits rules go far claim limit power foreign governments citizens hold foreign government agent transgressed limits cf sabbatino supra yet modern international law much concerned questions apt stimulate calls vindicating private interests cases since many attempts federal courts craft remedies violation new norms international law raise risks adverse foreign policy consequences undertaken great caution cf libyan arab republic cadc bork concurring expressing doubt read require courts sit judgment conduct foreign officials countries respect citizens fifth reason particularly important light first four congressional mandate seek define new debatable violations law nations modern indications congressional understanding judicial role field affirmatively encouraged greater judicial creativity true clear mandate appears torture victim protection act stat providing authority establish es unambiguous modern basis federal claims torture extrajudicial killing pt affirmative authority confined specific subject matter although legislative history includes remark remain intact permit suits based norms already exist may ripen future rules customary international law congress body done nothing promote suits several times indeed senate expressly declined give federal courts task interpreting applying international human rights law ratification international covenant civil political rights declared substantive provisions document cong rec reasons argue great caution adapting law nations private rights justice scalia post opinion concurring part concurring judgment concludes caution hospitable word order summarize come far focus difference whether norms today law nations may ever recognized legitimately federal courts absence congressional action beyond members agree jurisdictional also agree least justice scalia dispute post jurisdiction originally understood available enforce small number international norms federal properly recognize within common law enforceable without statutory authority justice scalia concludes however two subsequent developments understood preclude federal courts recognizing international norms judicially enforceable today absent congressional action described tend understand common law discoverable reflection universal reason positivistic way product human choice adhere conception limited judicial power first expressed reorienting federal diversity jurisdiction see erie tompkins federal courts authority derive general common law whereas justice scalia sees developments sufficient close door independent judicial recognition actionable international norms considerations persuade us judicial power exercised understanding door still ajar subject vigilant doorkeeping thus open narrow class international norms today erie terms bar judicial recognition new substantive rules matter circumstances understanding identified limited enclaves federal courts may derive substantive law common law way two centuries affirmed domestic law recognizes law nations see sabbatino recognizing international disputes implicating relations foreign nations one narrow areas federal common law continues exist take explaining say federal courts must avert gaze entirely international norm intended protect individuals think attempt justify position particularly unconvincing light know congressional understanding bearing issue lying intersection judicial legislative powers first congress reflected understanding framing generation included framers assumed federal courts properly identify international norms enforceable exercise jurisdiction think unreasonable assume first congress expected federal courts lose capacity recognize enforceable international norms simply common law might lose metaphysical cachet road modern realism later congresses seem shared view position take today assumed federal courts years ever since second circuit decided filartiga practical purposes point today disagreement focused since exchange judge edwards judge bork libyan arab republic cadc congress however expressed disagreement view proper exercise judicial power responded notable instance enacting legislation supplementing judicial determination detail see supra discussing torture victim protection act agree justice scalia point welcome congressional guidance exercising jurisdiction obvious potential affect foreign relations nothing congress done reason us shut door law nations entirely enough say congress may time explicitly implicitly treaties statutes occupy field may modify cancel judicial decision far rests recognizing international norm must still however derive standard set standards assessing particular claim alvarez raises case suffices look historical antecedents whatever ultimate criteria accepting cause action subject jurisdiction persuaded federal courts recognize private claims federal common law violations international law norm less definite content acceptance among civilized nations historical paradigms familiar enacted see smith wheat illustrating specificity law nations defined piracy limit upon judicial recognition generally consistent reasoning many courts judges faced issue reached see filartiga supra purposes civil liability torturer become like pirate slave trader hostis humani generis enemy mankind supra edwards concurring suggesting limits section reach defined handful heinous actions violates definable universal obligatory norms see also estate marcos human rights litigation actionable violations international law must norm specific universal obligatory determination whether norm sufficiently definite support cause indeed inevitably must involve element judgment practical consequences making cause available litigants federal thus alvarez detention claim must gauged current state international law looking sources long albeit cautiously recognized treaty controlling executive legislative act judicial decision resort must customs usages civilized nations evidence works jurists commentators years labor research experience made peculiarly well acquainted subjects treat works resorted judicial tribunals speculations authors concerning law trustworthy evidence law really paquete habana begin alvarez cites two international agreements despite moral authority little utility standard set opinion says abduction sosa arbitrary arrest within meaning universal declaration human rights declaration res iii doc traces rule arbitrary arrest declaration also article nine international covenant civil political rights covenant party various conventions declaration force impose obligations matter international law see humphrey un charter universal declaration human rights international protection human rights luard ed quoting eleanor roosevelt calling declaration statement principles setting common standard achievement peoples treaty international agreement impos ing legal although covenant bind matter international law ratified covenant express understanding create obligations enforceable federal courts see supra accordingly alvarez say declaration covenant establish relevant applicable rule international law instead attempts show prohibition arbitrary arrest attained status binding customary international law useful examine alvarez complaint greater detail presently argues claim rest feature although district granted relief part finding violation international law taking alvarez across border mexico appeals rejected ground liability failure identify norm requisite force prohibiting forcible abduction across border instead relied conclusion law authorize alvarez arrest dea lacked extraterritorial authority federal rule criminal procedure limited warrant alvarez arrest jurisdiction position alvarez takes arrest arbitrary forbidden international law infringed prerogatives mexico applicable law authorized alvarez thus invokes general prohibition arbitrary detention defined officially sanctioned action exceeding positive authorization detain domestic law government regardless circumstances whether accurate reading covenant alvarez cites little authority rule broad status binding customary norm certainly cites nothing justify federal courts taking broad rule predicate federal lawsuit implications breathtaking rule support cause action federal arrest anywhere world unauthorized law jurisdiction took place create cause action seizure alien violation fourth amendment supplanting actions rev stat bivens six unknown fed narcotics agents provide damages remedies violations create action federal arrests state officers simply exceed authority violation limit law country might place authority officers arrest assumes alvarez establish sosa acting behalf government made arrest otherwise need rule broader still alvarez failure marshal support proposed rule underscored restatement third foreign relations law says discussion customary international human rights law state violates international law matter state policy practices encourages condones prolonged arbitrary detention although restatement explain requirements state policy prolonged detention implication clear credible invocation principle arbitrary detention civilized world accepts binding customary international law requires factual basis beyond relatively brief detention excess positive authority even restatement limits beginning enquiry although easy say policies prolonged arbitrary detentions bad enforce become enemies human race may harder say policies cross line certainty afforded blackstone three common law offenses event label never fit reckless policeman botches warrant even though officer might pay damages municipal law groh ramirez whatever may said broad principle alvarez advances present imperfect world expresses aspiration exceeds binding customary rule specificity creating private cause action aspiration go beyond residual common law discretion think appropriate enough hold single illegal detention less day followed transfer custody lawful authorities prompt arraignment violates norm customary international law well defined support creation federal remedy judgment appeals reversed jose francisco sosa petitioner humberto et al petitioner humberto et al writs certiorari appeals ninth circuit june justice scalia chief justice justice thomas join concurring part concurring judgment much add detailed opinion one thing subtract reservation discretionary power federal judiciary create causes action enforcement norms accordingly join parts ii iii opinion consolidated cases although agree much part iv join judicial lawmaking role invites commit federal judiciary task neither authorized suited perform question hand whether alien tort statute ats provides respondent cause action sue federal recover money damages violation claimed customary international law norm arbitrary arrest detention ats provides district courts shall original jurisdiction civil action alien tort committed violation law nations treaty ibid challenge posed case ascertain felicitous phrase interaction ats time enactment ambient law era ante begin describing general principles must guide analysis time enactment ats provided federal forum aliens bring suit recover torts committed violation law nations law nations applied federal forum time part general common law see young sorting debate customary international law bradley goldsmith customary international law federal common law critique modern position harv rev brief vikram amar et al amici curiae general common law federal law supremacy clause gave effect constitution laws treaties art vi cl federal state courts adjudicating questions general common law adjudicating questions federal state law respectively general common law neither see generally clark federal common law structural reinterpretation rev nonfederal nature law nations explains holding lacked jurisdiction new york life ins hendren asked review decision regarding effect general public law state sectional civil war upon contract life insurance ibid although case involved general laws war recognized law nations applicable case involved federal question concluded case presented decision upon principles general law alone nowhere appearing constitution laws treaties executive proclamations necessarily involved decision jurisdiction decision erie tompkins signaled end elaboration application general common law erie repudiated holding swift tyson pet federal courts free express opinion upon principles established general commercial law canvassing many problems resulting broad province accorded law federal courts exercised independent judgment erie extirpated law famous declaration federal general common law erie affected status law nations federal courts merely implication holding quite directly since question decided swift turned law merchant subset law nations see clark supra death old general common law erie came birth new different common law pronounced federal courts developed specifically federal common law sense judicially pronounced law restricted areas federal rule decision necessary protect uniquely federal interests congress given courts power develop substantive law texas industries radcliff materials internal quotation marks citation omitted unlike general common law preceded however federal common law made rather discovered judges sought avoid falling sway holmes hyperbolic language fallacy illusion exists transcendental body law outside particular state obligatory within unless changed statute black white taxicab transfer brown yellow taxicab transfer dissenting opinion federal common law made discovered federal courts must possess authority undertaking craft federal courts unlike state courts general courts possess general power develop apply rules decision milwaukee illinois general rule formulated texas industries declining create right contribution damages assessed equal pay act title vii rule finding delegation substantive lawmaking power grant jurisdiction subject exceptions better established others firmly entrenched admiralty law derived grant admiralty jurisdiction article iii cl constitution exercise jurisdiction federal courts develop apply body general maritime law venerable law sea arose custom among seafaring men titanic haver niemeyer internal quotation marks omitted extreme bivens six unknown fed narcotics agents created private damages cause action federal officials violation fourth amendment said authority create cause action derived general jurisdiction decide cases constitution laws treaties correctional services malesko quoting bivens stands ground supporting eroded past years consistently refused extend bivens liability new context correctional services supra bivens relic heady days assumed powers create causes action scalia concurring ii general principles mind turn question presented detailed exegesis ats conclusively establishes jurisdictional statute creating new causes action ante provides persuasive explanation respondent contrary interpretation ats intended simply jurisdictional grant authority creation new cause action torts violation international law wrong ante indeed properly endorses views one scholar interpretation frivolous ibid quoting casto federal courts protective jurisdiction torts committed violation law nations rev conclusions alone enough dispose present case favor petitioner sosa none exceptions general rule finding substantive lawmaking power jurisdictional grant apply bivens provides perhaps closest analogy shaky authority best least said bivens sought enforce command law constitution modern international human rights litigation sort proliferated since filartiga federal must first create underlying federal command fact rule recognized customary international law adequate basis viewing rule part federal common law meltzer customary international law foreign affairs federal common law benthamite terms creating federal command federal common law international norms constructing cause action enforce command purely jurisdictional grant ats nonsense upon stilts iii analysis opinion departs respect concluding part iii ats jurisdictional statute creating new causes action ante addresses length part iv good reasons restrained conception discretion federal exercise considering new cause action ats ibid emphasis added framing issue one discretion skips antecedent question authority neglects lesson erie grants jurisdiction alone acknowledged ats grants authority meltzer supra point observes development enactment ats birth modern international human rights litigation statute categorically precluded federal courts recognizing claim law nations element common law ante emphasis added turns jurisprudence regarding federal common law head question case congressional action prevents federal courts applying law nations part general common law authorizes peculiar exception erie fundamental holding general common law exist apparently find authorization understanding congress enacted ats district courts recognize private causes action certain torts violation law nations ante discussed understanding rested upon notion general common law repudiated erie recognizes erie watershed decision heralding avulsive change wrought conceptual development understanding common law accompanied equally significant rethinking role federal courts making ante analysis however follow insight interchangeably using unadorned phrase common law parts iii iv refer general common law federal common law lapse crucial creation federal common law rooted positivist mindset utterly foreign american tradition late century federal common lawmaking left federal courts far removed adjudication applied law nations anachronistic find authorization former statutory grant jurisdiction thought enable latter yet precisely analysis part iv suggests today federal common law framers general common law question presented suggestion discretionary authority enforce law nations whether extend adjudication rather whether create new federal common law masks novelty approach suggests difference us close door independent judicial recognition actionable international norms whereas permit exercise judicial power understanding door still ajar subject vigilant doorkeeping ante general common law old door close door today deed done erie supra federal common law new door question whether door left ajar whether open although fundamentally disagree framework employed seem accord creating new federal common law international human rights questionable enterprise agree general practice look legislative guidance exercising innovative authority substantive law area foreign relations remarkable take aggressive role exercising jurisdiction remained largely shadow much prior two centuries ante possible collateral consequences making international rules privately actionable argue judicial caution ante one thing american courts enforce constitutional limits state federal governments power quite another consider suits rules go far claim limit power foreign governments citizens hold foreign government agent transgressed limits ibid attempts federal courts craft remedies violation new norms international law raise risks adverse foreign policy consequences ibid several times indeed senate expressly declined give federal courts task interpreting applying international human rights law ante considerations thinks reasons courts must circumspect use extant powers reasons courts possibly thought given thought possess powers regard creation private federal causes action violations customary international law sure today opinion precipitate direct confrontation congress creating cause action congress invites precisely action lower courts even recognizing congress understood difference granting jurisdiction creating federal cause action ante congress understands difference today ante ats supplies jurisdiction ante holding open possibility judges may create rights congress authorized countenances judicial occupation domain belongs people representatives one need crystal ball predict occupation long coming since endorses reasoning many courts judges faced issue reached including second ninth circuits ante ninth circuit brought us judgment reverses today perhaps decision particular case like decisions lower federal courts receive passing attention opinion reflects assertive view federal judicial discretion claims based customary international law position take today ante verbal formula applied verbal formula explicitly endorses compare ante quoting estate marcos human rights litigation proposition actionable norms must universal en banc finding norm arbitrary arrest detention case universal obligatory specific actionable claim ats requires showing violation law nations specific universal obligatory internal quotation marks omitted endorsing formula led ninth circuit result case hardly seems recipe restraint future second circuit started judiciary path today tries hedge good indicator path leads us directly confrontation political branches kadic karadiæ provides case point one norms issue case norm genocide set forth convention prevention punishment crime genocide second circuit held norm actionable ats applying circuit case law today endorses appeals something perfectly logical yet truly remarkable dismissed determination congress executive norm give rise private cause action know congress executive made determination congress inscribed genocide convention implementation act et law signed president attaching criminal penalties norm genocide act congress said shall construed creating substantive procedural right enforceable law party proceeding undeterred second circuit reasoned decision create new private remedy hardly construed repealing implication cause action supplied ats emphasis added truly wish encourage use statute respect record congressional discussion private actions might subject jurisdictional provision need legislation create private remedies record even debate section ante override clear indication political branches specific universal obligatory norm genocide enforced private damages action today opinion leads lower courts right perilous path though necessary resolution present case one consideration deserves mention despite avulsive change erie framers included reference law nations article cl constitution entirely content system described quite terrified discretion endorsed portion general common law known law nations understood refer accepted practices nations dealings one another treatment ambassadors immunity foreign sovereigns suit etc actors high seas hostile nations beyond territorial jurisdictions pirates accepted practices part entirety enacted statutory law insofar concerned demise general common law inconsequential notion law nations redefined mean consensus subject used private citizen control sovereign treatment citizens within territory invention internationalist law professors advocates see generally bradley goldsmith critique modern position harv framers confident appalled proposition example american peoples democratic adoption death penalty see tex penal code ann judicially nullified disapproving views foreigners americans method making laws us elect representatives two houses congress must enact new law present approval president also elect two decades unelected federal judges usurping lawmaking power converting regard norms international law american law today opinion approves process principle though urging lower courts restrained seems incapable admitting matters matters none business see rasul bush ante ins cyr today latest victory never say never jurisprudence ignores conclusion ats provides jurisdiction wags finger lower courts going far repeating formula ambitious lower courts used invites try bad enough assurance future conversions perceived international norms american law approved though know eminently reasonable eminent reasonableness really substitute democratic election illegitimate lawmaking endeavor lower federal courts principal actors review tiny fraction decisions one thinks eminently reasonable american law law made people democratically elected representatives recognize category activity universally disapproved nations automatically unlawful automatically gives rise private action money damages federal simple principle today decision announced jose francisco sosa petitioner humberto et al petitioner humberto et al writs certiorari appeals ninth circuit june justice ginsburg justice breyer joins concurring part concurring judgment join full disposition alvarez claim pursuant see ante alvarez federal tort claims act ftca act claim see ante although agree result much reasoning take different path adopt different construction alvarez case government call comparison old versus newer methodologies see ante see generally kay theory practice choice law courts mercer rev particular discussion developments choice law ftca enactment hardly illuminates meaning statute risks giving undue prominence approach vast majority long abandoned see symeonides choice law american courts sixteenth annual survey comp lex loci delicti rule abandoned ftca renders liable tort claims manner extent private individual like circumstances act gives federal district courts exclusive jurisdiction civil actions claims money damages injury loss property personal injury death caused negligent wrongful act omission employee government acting within scope office employment circumstances private person liable claimant accordance law place act omission occurred congress included ftca series exceptions waiver relevant case act expressly excepts ny claim arising foreign country agree see ante provision exception applies bars alvarez tort claim read words arising appear signal place act omission occurred place injury ante face exception appears cover case see ante alvarez suit predicated arrest mexico alleged false occurred sosa conduct mexico implicating questions mexican law notes kernel alvarez claim ante alvarez inside borders ninth circuit observed activity regarding detention tortious see government liability alvarez analyzed appeals rested solely upon claim alvarez arrest false thus tortious extent took place endured mexico damages accrued alleged wrongful conduct continued abroad critical ninth circuit view dea agents authority federal law execute extraterritorial arrest suspect indicted federal los angeles see ante see also fermino fedco cal defining tortious nonconsensual intentional confinement person without lawful privilege appreciable length time however short emphasis added internal quotation marks omitted app pet cert alvarez arrived el paso texas actions domestic law enforcement set motion supervening prosecutorial mechanism met procedural requirements federal due process see ante accepting ninth circuit tortious act occurred alvarez within borders government liability alvarez claim false arrest necessarily depended foreign location arrest implicated foreign law appeals focused whether law furnished authority seize alvarez mexican territory see mexican law equally provided denied authority arrest sosa arrest team mexican law enforcement officers authorized mexican law arrest alvarez hand authorities example claim tenable similarly viable claim mexican law authorized citizen arrest circumstances presented indeed mexican honduran agents seized suspects indicted along alvarez respectively mexico honduras alvarez abduction unique involved neither cooperation local police consent foreign government interpretation ftca adopted ninth circuit short yielded liability based acts occurring mexico entangled questions foreign law subjecting liability depending upon law foreign sovereign however result exception aimed exclude see spelar construe exception harmony ftca waiver refers place negligent intentional act occurred see brief urging applied looking prohibited act committed foreign country exception must viewed together points law place allegedly wrongful act omission occurred internal quotation marks omitted emphasis deleted interpretation light government maintains grounded precedent construing reference foreign country draw support language principal provision ftca smith internal quotation marks omitted smith held action based exclusively acts omissions occurring antarctica barred exception noted instruct courts look law place law antarctica order determine liability surely bizarre result omitted thus smith presumed place act omission occurred purposes waiver coincided place claim ar ose purposes exception see also beattie cadc scalia dissenting claim purposes occurs alleged violation attributable government action inaction nearest injury sami cadc looking act omission complained occurred applying harmonious construction accords congress intent enacting exception congress unwilling subject liabilities depending upon laws foreign power spelar legislative history ftca suggests congress viewed cases relevant act omission occurred foreign country entailing great risk application thus assistant attorney general francis shea explaining finally enacted version exception house committee judiciary emphasized act omission occurred foreign country direct toward law country since liability determined law situs wrongful act omission wise restrict bill claims arising country hearings et al house committee judiciary emphasis added see ante enacting congress view thus appears aligned block waiver sovereign immunity relevant act omission took place overseas see supra true read renvoi words accordance law see richards ftca requires application whole law state act omission occurred emphasis added however reason resist defining place claim arises purposes mean place act omission occurred renvoi elsewhere one thing apply renvoi determine state within supplies governing law quite another suppose congress meant courts explore choice law foreign ftca enacted also true congress reasonably might anticipated prevailing methodology reflected restatement first conflicts lead mechanically law place injury see restatement first conflicts place wrong state last event necessary make actor liable alleged tort takes place richards general rule followed vast majority wa apply law place injury substantive rights parties omitted ante generally albeit always place negligent intentional act omission takes place coincides place looking whole law state wrongful act omission occurred therefore ordinarily lead application state law cf ante adopting rule ii ninth circuit concluded exception bar alvarez claim claim involve federal employees working offices guide supervise actions countries holding appeals applied doctrine whereby claim still proceed harm occurring foreign country proximately caused acts ibid good reason resist headquarters doctrine described relied upon ninth circuit appeals employment doctrine renders ftca exception inapplicable whenever authorization support planning takes place virtually always possible assert negligent intentional activity injured plaintiff consequence faulty training selection supervision even less lack careful training selection supervision beattie scalia dissenting see ante hence headquarters doctrine considers whether steps toward commission tort occurred within risks swallowing exception furthermore appeals failed address question implicated whenever tortious acts committed multiple provisions direct federal courts multistate tort actions look first instance law place acts negligence intentional tort took place richards cases involving acts omissions several question acts count neither text ftca richards provides guidance alleged acts omissions occur one state moreover legislative history ftca sheds light problem gould electronics see raflo supp dc courts appeals adopted varying approaches question see simon listing five different methodologies gould electronics canvassed different approaches third circuit judge becker concluded clarity important virtue crafting rule federal choose jurisdiction simon eschewing vague overlapping approaches yielded indeterminate results judge becker appl ied regime jurisdiction last significant act omission occurred salutary effect avoiding selection jurisdiction based completely incidental contact also avoiding conjecture alternative inquires often entail ibid agree last significant act omission rule applied close door headquarters doctrine applied ninth circuit case directing attention place last significant act omission occurred rather location authorization support planning may taken place clear rule advanced judge becker preserves genuine limitation congress intended last significant act omission rule works case identify mexico california place instant case arose apply rule hold alvarez tort claim false arrest ftca barred exception accordingly concur judgment concur parts iii iv opinion jose francisco sosa petitioner humberto et al petitioner humberto et al writs certiorari appeals ninth circuit june justice breyer concurring part concurring judgment join justice ginsburg concurrence join opinion respect alien tort statute ats claim says qualify recognition ats norm international law must content definite acceptance widespread characterized international norms prohibiting piracy ante norm must extend liability type perpetrator private actor plaintiff seeks sue ante congress make clear courts recognize norm direct indirect command occupying field see ante also suggests principles exhaustion might apply courts give serious weight executive branch view impact foreign policy permitting ats suit likely given case type case ante believe conditions important add one consideration since enforcement international norm one nation courts implies nations courts may ask whether exercise jurisdiction ats consistent notions comity lead nation respect sovereign rights nations limiting reach laws enforcement applying principles courts help assure potentially conflicting laws different nations work together harmony matter increasing importance ever interdependent world roche empagran ante slip cf murray schooner charming betsy cranch consideration necessary ensure ats litigation undermine harmony intended promote see ante comity concerns normally arise least mitigated conduct question takes place country provides cause action conduct involves country national say american assaults foreign diplomat diplomat brings suit american see restatement third foreign relations law hereinafter restatement describing traditional bases territorial nationality jurisdiction arise however foreign persons injured abroad bring suit ats asking courts recognize claim certain kind foreign conduct violates international norm since different courts different nations necessarily apply even similar substantive laws similarly workable harmony practice depends upon substantive uniformity among laws nations say substantive uniformity automatically mean universal jurisdiction appropriate thus century nations reached consensus substantive principle acts piracy universally wrong also jurisdictional principle nation found pirate prosecute see smith wheat referring general practice nations punishing persons whether natives foreigners committed piracy persons whatsoever amity today international law sometimes similarly reflect substantive agreement certain universally condemned behavior also procedural agreement universal jurisdiction exists prosecute subset behavior see restatement comment international law association final report exercise universal jurisdiction respect gross human rights offences subset includes torture genocide crimes humanity war crimes see see also prosecutor furundzija case international tribunal prosecution persons responsible serious violations international humanitarian law committed territory former yugoslavia since attorney israel eichmann sup israel fact procedural consensus exists suggests recognition universal jurisdiction respect limited set norms consistent principles international comity allowing every nation courts adjudicate foreign conduct involving foreign parties cases significantly threaten practical harmony comity principles seek protect consensus concerns criminal jurisdiction consensus universal criminal jurisdiction suggests universal tort jurisdiction threatening cf restatement comment criminal courts many nations combine civil criminal proceedings allowing injured criminal conduct represented recover damages criminal proceeding brief european commission amicus curiae citing donzallaz la convention de lugano du septembre concernant la competence judiciaire et des decisions en matiere civile et commerciale ec council regulation art thus universal criminal jurisdiction necessarily contemplates significant degree civil tort recovery well taking matters account believe courts find similar procedural consensus supporting exercise jurisdiction case lack consensus provides additional support conclusion ats recognize claim issue underlying substantive claim concerns arbitrary arrest outside citizen one foreign country another footnotes together et also certiorari footnotes ninth circuit view critical dea agents authority federal law execute extraterritorial arrest suspect indicted federal los angeles alvarez arrived actions domestic law enforcement set motion supervening prosecutorial mechanism met procedural requisites federal due process see also couzado claim barred section tortious conduct occurs injury sustained foreign quoting donahue dept justice supp sdny martinez lamagno wl judgt order reported per curiam unpublished opinion headquarters claim exists negligent acts proximately cause harm foreign country rev grounds leaf claim term used acts omissions proximately cause loss take place cf eaglin dept army assuming arguendo headquarters doctrine valid see also restatement second conflict laws original restatement stated minor exceptions substantive questions relating existence tort claim governed local law wrong described state last event necessary make actor liable alleged tort takes place since tort product wrongful conduct resulting injury since injury follows conduct state event state injury occurred ftca passed precisely kinds torts mind see expansion governmental activities recent years becomes especially important grant private individuals right sue government respect torts negligence operation vehicles see generally feres congress principally concerned making government liable ordinary torts actionable inflicted individual corporation application foreign law might nonetheless avoided headquarters cases courts instructed apply substantive tort law state federal act omission occurred regardless ultimate harm transpired richards held act requires whole law including rules state allegedly tortious federal act omission occurred given dominant american approach time act passed resulted application foreign law virtually case plaintiff suffered injury overseas see also rydstrom modern status rule substantive rights parties tort action governed law place wrong many courts abandoning orthodox rule substantive rights parties governed law place wrong express opinion relative merits various approaches choice questions discussion subject intended indicate positive matter transjurisdictional cases likely treated today second restatement tort liability determined local law state significant relationship occurrence parties taking account place injury occurred place conduct causing injury occurred domicil residence nationality place incorporation place business parties place relationship parties centered restatement second conflict laws courts applied headquarters doctrine believing intimated emphasis richards supra place occurrence negligent act acknowledged possibility foreign law may govern ftca claims function richards holding whole law pertinent state including provisions applied see leaf courts attempted defuse resulting tension object behind foreign country exception see sami cadc believing norm application foreign law contrary forum policy sufficient overcome possible conflict think attempts resolve tension give short shrift clear congressional mandate embodied foreign country exception cf shapiro choice law federal tort claims act richards renvoi revisited rev noting richards rule totality state law consulted may undermine object behind foreign country exception difficult reconcile government contrary reading fact two act exceptions specifically reference act omission see exempting liability ny claim based upon act omission employee government exercising due care execution statute regulation claim arising act omission employee government administering certain portions trading enemy act government request read phrase foreign country exception clear congress knew specify act omission wanted runs afoul usual rule legislature uses certain language one part statute different language another assumes different meanings intended singer statutes statutory construction ed statute slightly modified number occasions since original enactment reads entirety district courts shall original jurisdiction civil action alien tort committed violation law nations treaty french minister plenipotentiary lodged formal protest continental congress journals continental congress threatened leave pennsylvania unless decision longchamps case give full satisfaction letter samuel hardy gov benjamin harrison virginia june letters members continental congress burnett ed longchamps prosecuted criminal violation law nations state congress pass resolutions one approving proceedings journals continental congress another directing secretary foreign affairs apologize explain de marbois difficulties may arise nature federal union journals continental congress explain representative louis xvi many allowances made young nation ibid restriction may served different purpose putting foreigners notice longer able prosecute criminal cases federal compare commentaries victims start prosecutions judiciary act creating office district attorney cf op atty british consul initiate criminal prosecution provide evidence grand jury ats appears ellsworth handwriting original version bill national archives casto law nations see southern pacific jensen holmes dissenting consistent prevailing understanding international law resolution sensibly understood act international politics recommendation part program assure world new republic observe law nations day made recommendation state legislatures continental congress received confidential report detailing negotiations american representatives versailles journals continental congress king concerned british capture ship marquis de la fayette way boston expresse desire plan appointment consuls digested adopted france wished make basis commercial arrangements france congressional resolution louis xvi wished calculated assure foreign powers congress least intended concerns addressed way chosen french legal treatise well known early american lawyers see helmholz use civil law american jurisprudence tulane rev put laws written end writing may fix sense law determine mind conceive idea established law left free every one frame law pleased understand domat civil law natural order strahan transl cushing ed congressional statement common law task hand might well fallen short impressing continental readership petitioner says animadversion archaic reference imposition punishment reply brief petitioner sosa emphasis original claim somewhat exaggerated however animadvert carried broader implication turn ing attention officially judicially tak ing legal cognizance anything deserving chastisement censure hence proceed way punishment censure oxford english dictionary ed blackstone fact used term context property rights damages man disturbed enjoyment qualified property law animadvert hereon injury commentaries see also papers james madison rutland ed yet foreign powers rigorous animadverting us violations law nations see generally fallon meltzer shapiro hart wechsler federal courts federal system ch ed friendly praise erie new federal common law rev sabbatino directly apply international law see neither question application law appropriate cases endorsed reasoning noted commentator argued erie preclude continued application international law federal courts citing jessup doctrine erie railroad tompkins applied international law position justice scalia suggests imply every grant jurisdiction federal carries opportunity develop common law grant jurisdiction equally good purposes see post section enacted congressional understanding courts exercise jurisdiction entertaining common law claims derived law nations know reason think jurisdiction extended subject comparable congressional assumption holding today consistent division responsibilities federal state courts erie see supra expansive common law power related might related consideration whether international law extends scope liability violation given norm perpetrator sued defendant private actor corporation individual compare libyan arab republic cadc edwards concurring insufficient consensus torture private actors violates international law kadic karadzic sufficient consensus genocide private actors violates international law requirement clear definition meant principle limiting availability relief federal courts violations customary international law though disposes case example european commission argues amicus curiae basic principles international law require asserting claim foreign forum claimant must exhausted remedies available domestic legal system perhaps fora international claims tribunals see brief european commission amicus curiae citing brownlie principles public international law ed cf torture victim protection act stat exhaustion requirement certainly consider requirement appropriate case another possible limitation need apply policy deference political branches example pending federal district several class actions seeking damages various corporations alleged participated abetted regime apartheid formerly controlled south africa see south african apartheid litigation supp jpml granting motion transfer cases southern district new york government south africa said cases interfere policy embodied truth reconciliation commission deliberately avoided justice approach crimes apartheid chose instead one based confession absolution informed principles reconciliation reconstruction reparation goodwill declaration penuell mpapa maduna minister justice constitutional development republic south africa reprinted app brief government commonwealth australia et al amici curiae emphasis deleted agreed see letter william taft iv legal adviser dept state shannen coffin deputy asst atty reprinted cases strong argument federal courts give serious weight executive branch view case impact foreign policy cf republic austria altmann slip discussing state department use statements interest cases involving foreign sovereign immunities act et article nine provides one shall subjected arbitrary arrest detention one shall deprived liberty except grounds accordance procedure established law nyone victim unlawful arrest detention shall enforceable right compensation nevertheless substantial indirect effect international law see brownlie supra calling declaration good example informal prescription given legal significance actions authoritative alvarez brief contains one seeking incorporate reference arguments abductions appeals brief respondent enough raise question fairly consider rule since moved amended provides warrant may also executed anywhere else federal statute authorizes arrest fed rule crim proc occasion decide whether alvarez right authorize arrest specifically relies survey national constitutions bassiouni human rights context criminal justice identifying international procedural protections equivalent protections national constitutions duke comp case international justice iran authority drawn federal courts see brief respondent none suffice bassiouni survey show many nations recognize norm arbitrary detention consensus high level generality iran case sought relief taking diplomatic consular staff hostages involved different set international norms mentioned problem arbitrary detention passing detention case moreover far longer harsher alvarez see detention staff group armed militants lasted many months authority federal courts extent supports alvarez position reflects assertive view federal judicial discretion claims based customary international law position take today case sosa might well liable mexican law alvarez asserted claim district concluded applicable law law california california law sosa privileged make citizen arrest mexico whether correct us though discern tension simultaneous conclusions detention lacked legal basis violate international law yet privileged state law ordinary tort recovery violations rule logically foreclose existence rule international law cf filartiga fact prohibition torture often honored breach diminish binding effect norm international law nevertheless rule stated far full realization one alvarez urges evidence status binding law even clearer point creation judges private cause action enforce aspiration behind rule claimed alvarez also cites brief respondent finding nations working group detention arbitrary declaration covenant customary international law see report nations working group arbitrary detention doc pp finding addressed however demanding standard definition must met raise even possibility private cause action alvarez wishes seek compensation basis working group finding must address request congress footnotes conjures illusion continuity present ignoring fundamental differences approach places law nations footing unknown first congress time ats enactment law nations part general common law federal law displace state law supra contrast judicially created federal rule based international norms federal law moreover cause action sort reserves discretion create arise laws purposes article iii also purposes statutory jurisdiction see illinois milwaukee lack genuine continuity thus demonstrated fact today opinion renders ats unnecessary federal jurisdiction claims law nations transformed federal law basis provision merely grants jurisdiction combined residual judicial power whence nobody knows create federal causes action cases implicating foreign relations grant jurisdiction give rise power create federal common law effectively ats mean ats became largely superfluous congress granted general jurisdiction subject requirement act mar stat entirely superfluous congress eliminated requirement pub stat footnotes common exceptions listed use claim arising formulation see two use act omission terminology see exception ny claim based upon act omission employee government exercising due care execution statute regulation based upon exercise performance failure exercise perform discretionary function duty liability ny claim arising act omission employee government administering certain provisions concerning war national defense hardly apparent however congress intended interpreted accord congress used phrase arising exceptions focus governmental act omission see exception ny claim arising loss miscarriage negligent transmission letters postal matter liability ny claim arising assault battery false imprisonment false arrest malicious prosecution libel slander misrepresentation deceit interference contractual rights given usage light legislative history omission reference act omission employee provision may reflect congress attempt use least complex statutory language feasible cf sami cadc think omission specific reference acts omissions meaningful focus exemption shifted acts omissions resultant exception focus location tortious act omission borne colloquy hearing house committee judiciary member committee asked whether understood correctly representative committed tort england country reached ftca hearings et emphasis added assistant attorney general shea said yes understanding ibid renvoi doctrine resorting foreign law adopts well foreign law principles may turn refer back law forum black law dictionary ed reading renvoi even determine state supplies governing law moreover questionable see shapiro choice law federal tort claims act richards renvoi revisited rev fair federal liability determined law federal employee negligence took place congress intended simplicity internal law approach preferable complexity opportunity manipulation richards whole law enacting ftca congress concerned quotidian wrongs actionable inflicted individual corporation feres vehicular accidents see see also ante place injury torts almost inevitably place act omission occurred well cataloged appeals third circuit applying different rules different theories liability choosing place last act omission determining asserted act wrongdoing significant effect injury choosing state physical actions prevented injury determining act omission occurred simon cases applying discussing one another five approaches see ducey considering physical acts prevented harm occurred hitchcock cadc looking relevant act omission bowen noting alternatives place last act omission causal effect place act omission significant causal effect finding rules lead place raflo supp dc applying hitchcock relevance test looking place substantial portion acts omissions occurred kohn supp edny applying different rules basis