No. 19-71October Term 2019Decided Dec 10, 2020Updated May 24, 2026
Tanzin v. Tanvir
This case asked whether Muslim men who said FBI agents put them on the No Fly List after they refused to act as informants could recover money damages under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Case status
Decided 8-0 · December 10, 2020 · Opinion by Justice Thomas
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Dec 10, 2020
- What it's about
This case asked whether Muslim men who said FBI agents put them on the No Fly List after they refused to act as informants could recover money damages under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Supreme Court held that RFRA allows suits for money damages against federal officials in their individual capacities when appropriate.
Question presented
Whether the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., permits suits seeking money damages against individual federal employees.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit / Decision released Dec 10, 2020
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided December 10, 2020
The Court released its decision on December 10, 2020 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity4
Brief added: Questions Presented
May 24, 2026 | Court records
Opinion added: opinion
Dec 10, 2020 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Jul 12, 2019 | Court records
Court Order added: Lower Court Orders/Opinions
May 3, 2019 | Court records
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology