Opinion ID: 652671
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: may defendants remove to federal court and then move to dismiss?

Text: 6 As a threshold matter, this issue was not raised before the district court and, therefore, is not properly before us on appeal. FDIC v. Binion, 953 F.2d 1013, 1018 (6th Cir.1991). We ordinarily dismiss such an untimely contention. 7 Plaintiff concedes that removal under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1441(a) requires the existence of a federal claim. He also notes that dismissals under Rule 12(b)(6) are premised upon the failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Plaintiff argues that because the right of removal under Sec. 1441 depends on the existence of a federal claim, a defendant who removes an action to federal court necessarily concedes that the plaintiff has stated a claim upon which relief can be granted. Plaintiff's argument clearly lacks merit. Removal is proper if the plaintiff's allegations are federal in character regardless of whether they state a redressable claim. Dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) will be granted unless the plaintiff alleges facts that, if true, would entitle him to relief. 8