Nezameslami v. Department of Homeland Security

A transcript of the March 18, 2026 proceedings before Judge Steven D. Grimberg was filed, with redaction and release deadlines (redaction request due 4/22/2026; redacted transcript deadline 5/4/2026; transcript release restriction until 6/30/2026). The entry includes an appendix and identifies the court reporter.

The Department of Homeland Security/USCIS filed a motion to dismiss the case, asserting improper venue, lack of standing, lack of jurisdiction, and failure to state a claim. The filing is a formal motion by defendants to have the case dismissed on those grounds.

The court issued an order granting the parties' consent motion to extend the time for defendants to file an answer or otherwise respond to the complaint and set the new deadline as March 30, 2026. The docket entry is a court order effecting the extension.

The court held oral argument on March 18, 2026 on the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction; the minute entry states the parties appeared and the court took the motion under advisement. The entry indicates the hearing occurred but does not state a ruling.

On March 4, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security/USCIS filed a notice providing supplemental information, including a declaration from Andrew Good, likely intended to supplement the agency's opposition to the plaintiffs' preliminary injunction motion. This adds new evidentiary material to the record before the court decides whether to grant emergency relief.

The plaintiffs filed a reply brief on February 27, 2026, opposing the government's response to their motion for a preliminary injunction and attaching an exhibit (Bowser v. Noem). This completes the plaintiffs' side of briefing on the request for emergency relief to block the challenged USCIS policy.

The court granted the defendants' consent motion to extend time and ordered that defendants must file their response to the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction by February 23, 2026, and that the plaintiffs may file a reply by February 27, 2026. The order was signed by Judge Steven D. Grimberg on February 12, 2026.

On February 11, 2026, DHS/USCIS filed a consent motion for an extension of time to file their response to the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. The request is consented to, so the parties have agreed to more time for the defendants' opposition.

Plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint on February 6, 2026, further revising their claims and party list. This represents another iteration of the operative complaint in the case.

Plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint with a Notice of Errata on February 3, 2026, making corrections to prior filings and maintaining the litigation record. This updates the operative pleadings and corrects errors.

On January 30, 2026, the plaintiffs filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction with supporting brief and multiple declarations/exhibits, asking the court to temporarily block the challenged USCIS policy. This seeks immediate court relief pending the case outcome.

Plaintiffs filed a First Amended Complaint on January 29, 2026, replacing or supplementing the initial complaint and listing additional named plaintiffs. Amending the complaint is a substantive procedural step in framing the parties and claims.

Judge Steven D. Grimberg granted the pro hac vice admission for Zachery Ryan New on January 27, 2026, allowing him to represent plaintiffs in this district. This is a court order approving outside counsel's participation.

Judge Steven D. Grimberg granted the pro hac vice admission for Jesse M. Bless on January 16, 2026, allowing him to appear in this court for the plaintiffs. This is a judicial order permitting outside counsel to participate.

The court issued electronic summonses for the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Attorney, and the U.S. Attorney General. This advances formal notice and service to the defendants.

Plaintiffs Nezameslami et al. filed a Complaint seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against DHS/USCIS and related federal defendants on January 9, 2026. The filing opens the lawsuit challenging agency action (filing fee and civil cover sheet noted).