Racial profiling case thrown out

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP/WPRI) - A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit over a highway traffic stop of Guatemalan nationals that civil rights groups said was unconstitutional.

The state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which sued claiming racial profiling, said it will appeal Tuesday's decision from U.S. District Judge Mary Lisi.

"It is distressing that these serious claims have been summarily dismissed, for it only demonstrates the difficulties racial minorities face in vindicating their right to equal protection of the laws," said Stephen Brown, executive director of the RI ACLU.

In July 2006, a Rhode Island state trooper stopped a van carrying more than a dozen Guatemalan nationals on Interstate 95 and temporarily detained them.

They were then escorted to a federal immigration office in Providence when the driver and passengers couldn't produce proof of U.S. citizenship.

An internal state police probe cleared the trooper of any wrongdoing.

Following the decision, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch said, "This ruling affirms that this case was a proper law enforcement action by a well-trained State Trooper. The State Police in this instance were merely cooperating with the Federal ICE office in the performance of their duties."

Colonel Brendan Doherty added, “I am proud of the men and women of the Rhode Island State Police as they always comport themselves in a professional and unbiased manner while performing a very difficult job.”

The stop was one of two incidents that prompted state legislators to introduce an anti-racial profiling bill in 2007. The bill died in committee.