The facts of the case concern the extrajudicial execution of a group of Haitian immigrants and the expulsion of the survivors, following an attack by military agents which led to their discovery while they entered the country.

The IA Court established standards regarding the application of due process in administrative processes of deportation or expulsion of immigrants, making reference to the State obligation to evaluate the special circumstances of each person, and the prohibition of collective expulsion. In conjunction, the IA Court reiterated its standards on the excessive use of force on the part of state agents, and with regards to the competence of military jurisdiction in cases involving human rights violations.