Update on the First Female Genital Mutilation Case in the U.S.: Judge Grants AHA Foundation’s Motion to File Amicus Curiae Brief

United States of America v. Nagarwala, et al (17-20274)

Eastern District of Michigan United States District Court

At the start of November, the district court judge presiding over the first federal female genital mutilation (FGM) case involving a physician-administered procedure on girls in the U.S., granted AHA Foundation’s motion to file an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in support of the U.S. government’s position affirming the constitutionality of the federal law.

In July 2018, defense attorneys in the landmark FGM case submitted a motion to dismiss five counts of the then-latest indictment, asserting that Congress lacked authority to enact the law. AHA Foundation responded by submitting a motion to file an amicus curiae brief, arguing that the anti-FGM law is constitutional pursuant to the Commerce Clause and treaty obligations, and that Congress had the authority to enact the law. Read our amicus brief here.

More information on the latest developments in the trial can be found here.

AHA Foundation will continue to monitor the trial and bring updates as they come.