Page:United States Reports 502 OCT. TERM 1991.pdf/189

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Cite as: 502 U. S. 21 (1991)

31

Opinion of the Court

against suits to impose “individual and personal liability” on state officials under § 1983. Ibid. To be sure, imposing personal liability on state officers may hamper their performance of public duties. But such concerns are properly addressed within the framework of our personal immunity jurisprudence. See Forrester v. White, supra, at 223. Insofar as respondents seek damages against Hafer personally, the Eleventh Amendment does not restrict their ability to sue in federal court. We hold that state officials, sued in their individual capacities, are “persons” within the meaning of § 1983. The Eleventh Amendment does not bar such suits, nor are state officers absolutely immune from personal liability under § 1983 solely by virtue of the “official” nature of their acts. The judgment of the Court of Appeals is Affirmed. Justice Thomas took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.