Current stage: Hearing Held
The plaintiffs sued seeking declaratory and injunctive relief and moved for a preliminary injunction to pause USCIS policy. The court heard oral argument on March 18, 2026 and on May 13, 2026 issued a written Opinion and Order denying the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction. Defendants have moved to dismiss and briefing on that motion has been completed while a subset of plaintiffs filed notices of voluntary dismissal on May 20, 2026.
Deadlines, hearings, and court-ordered dates from this docket
Clerk to follow up by 1/22/2026 regarding LR 83.1 pro hac vice requirements.
Defendants must file their response to the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction by 2026-02-23.
The plaintiffs may file a reply to the defendants' response by 2026-02-27.
Counsel who do not have a blue card must file a motion for leave to bring electronics into the building (with proposed order) at least two business days prior to the hearing (i.e., by 2026-03-16) and may email it to the Courtroom Deputy.
The court allowed counsel to bring electronic equipment into Courtroom 1706 for the hearing on 03/18/2026 at 3:00 PM.
Oral argument on the motion (ECF 12) at 3:00 PM on 2026-03-18 in Courtroom 1706, Richard B. Russell Federal Building, Atlanta, GA; argument limited to 30 minutes per side. Counsel who wish to use courtroom technology are encouraged to contact the Courtroom Deputy in advance.
Defendants' new deadline to file an answer or otherwise respond to the complaint is March 30, 2026.
Deadline to submit redaction requests for the transcript: 2026-04-22.
Deadline for the redacted transcript to be filed/set: 2026-05-04.
Defendants shall file any sur-rebuttal on the limited issue of joinder within 14 days of the 04/30/2026 Order (due 2026-05-14).
Date the transcript restriction is set to be released: 2026-06-30.
The Court stated it may revisit its denial of the preliminary injunction if the adjudicative hold/pause policies remain in effect within 60 days of the 05/13/2026 Order (deadline: 2026-07-12).
Extracted from court filings. Check linked sources for official deadlines.
May 20, 2026
A notice of voluntary dismissal was filed indicating that a subset of plaintiffs have been voluntarily dismissed from the case.
May 13, 2026
Key EventThe court issued a written Opinion and Order dated 2026-05-13 denying the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction; the order explains the court's conclusions on jurisdiction and the merits and states conditions under which the court may reconsider the denial.
May 13, 2026
Defendants filed a response related to plaintiffs' motion for leave to file a surreply.
May 11, 2026
Defendants filed a response to plaintiffs' supplemental authority notice (docket text later modified).
May 11, 2026
Plaintiffs filed a notice attaching additional supplemental authorities and exhibits for the court's consideration.
April 30, 2026
Defendants filed a response to plaintiffs' earlier notice of supplemental authority (docket text later modified).
April 30, 2026
Key EventThe court granted plaintiffs' motion for leave to file a surreply and directed the Clerk to docket the proposed surreply; the court also ordered defendants to file any sur-rebuttal limited to the joinder issue within 14 days of the order.
April 30, 2026
Plaintiffs filed the surreply they had been granted leave to file in connection with the motion to dismiss.
April 29, 2026
Plaintiffs moved for leave to file a surreply to the defendants' motion to dismiss and attached a proposed surreply.
April 27, 2026
Defendants filed a reply in support of their motion (a reply to a response to the motion to dismiss).
April 27, 2026
Plaintiffs filed yet another notice of supplemental authority with an attached exhibit.
April 24, 2026
Plaintiffs filed an additional notice of supplemental authority with an attached exhibit.
April 16, 2026
Plaintiffs filed another notice of supplemental authority attaching an exhibit.
April 13, 2026
Plaintiffs filed an opposition brief responding to defendants' motion to dismiss.
April 13, 2026
Defendants filed a response to plaintiffs' filing that had been labeled as a response to defendants' notice.
April 7, 2026
Plaintiffs filed another notice of supplemental authority with an attached exhibit for the court's consideration.
April 3, 2026
Defendants filed a response to plaintiffs' earlier notice (docket text later modified).
April 1, 2026
Plaintiffs filed a response to the defendants' notice of supplemental information.
April 1, 2026
Defendants filed a notice of filing an attachment related to their March 30, 2026 update of enhanced screening processes.
April 1, 2026
Key EventA transcript of the March 18, 2026 proceedings was filed; the docket lists deadlines for redaction requests, the redacted transcript, and release of transcript restriction.
March 31, 2026
Defendants filed a notice attaching an update about USCIS's enhanced screening processes dated March 30, 2026.
March 30, 2026
Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint asserting improper venue, lack of standing, lack of jurisdiction, and failure to state a claim.
March 27, 2026
Plaintiffs filed a notice submitting supplemental authority (an exhibit) for the court's consideration.
March 25, 2026
An attorney filed a notice of planned leave of absence listing multiple future dates of unavailability.
March 23, 2026
Key EventThe court granted the parties' consent motion to extend the time for defendants to file an answer or otherwise respond to the complaint and set a new deadline of March 30, 2026.
March 20, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services filed a consent motion seeking extra time to file an answer or otherwise respond to the complaint.
March 18, 2026
Key EventThe docket reflects that oral argument on the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction was held on March 18, 2026, and the court took the motion under advisement.
March 16, 2026
Key EventThe court issued an order permitting specified counsel to bring electronic/audio-visual equipment into Courtroom 1706 for the hearing scheduled on 2026-03-18 at 3:00 PM. The order terminated the prior motion seeking that permission.
March 13, 2026
The plaintiffs filed a motion requesting permission to bring audio/visual/electronic equipment into the courtroom and attached a proposed order; the entry does not indicate any court ruling on the request.
March 4, 2026
On 2026-03-04 the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services filed a notice providing supplemental information; the filing includes an attached Declaration of Andrew Good (Attachment #1).
February 27, 2026
On 2026-02-27 the plaintiffs filed a reply brief in support of their Motion for Preliminary Injunction (ECF No. 12), attaching an exhibit titled "Bowser v. Noem."
February 23, 2026
On 2026-02-23, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services filed a response in opposition to the plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction (ECF No. 12). The entry records the filing but does not indicate any court ruling or action on the motion.
February 18, 2026
Key EventThe court set an oral argument on the pending Motion for Preliminary Injunction (ECF 12) for March 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM in Courtroom 1706, Richard B. Russell Federal Building in Atlanta, with argument limited to 30 minutes per side; the entry also gives instructions about courtroom technology and filing motions to bring electronics. The entry appears to be a notice scheduling that hearing and providing logistical instructions.
February 12, 2026
Key EventThe court granted the defendants' consent motion for more time and set briefing deadlines: defendants must file their response to the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction by February 23, 2026, and the plaintiffs may file a reply, if any, by February 27, 2026.
February 11, 2026
Key EventThe court entered a standing order regarding civil litigation, signed by Judge Steven D. Grimberg on February 11, 2026. The docket entry does not describe the order’s substance or identify any deadlines or obligations arising from it.
February 11, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services filed a consent motion requesting additional time to file its response to the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction and included a supporting brief. The docket entry does not indicate whether the court has ruled on or granted the requested extension.
February 6, 2026
A second amended complaint against all defendants was filed by the plaintiffs; the docket entry also includes a clerk’s notice directing parties to the court website for pretrial instructions and the consent-to-proceed-before-a-magistrate form. The entry reflects the filing only and does not indicate any court ruling or scheduled hearing.
February 3, 2026
The plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint and a Notice of Errata against all defendants, with an attachment labeled “Errata Notice of Errata.” The docket entry also includes a clerk’s notice directing parties to the court website for pretrial instructions and associated forms.
January 30, 2026
The plaintiffs filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction with a supporting brief and attached eight exhibit declarations. The docket entry records the motion filing but does not reflect any court ruling or a scheduled hearing or deadline.
January 29, 2026
The plaintiffs filed a First Amended Complaint against all defendants. The docket entry also includes a clerk’s notice directing parties to the court website for pretrial instructions and the consent-to-proceed-before-a-magistrate form.
January 27, 2026
Key EventThe court entered an order on 2026-01-27 granting the application for admission pro hac vice of Zachery Ryan New, approved by Judge Steven D. Grimberg. The order instructs that if the applicant does not have CM/ECF access in the Northern District of Georgia, they must request access at http://pacer.gov.
January 22, 2026
An application for admission pro hac vice for attorney Zachery Ryan New was filed on behalf of the plaintiffs, with a $100 application fee paid (receipt AGANDC-14943852). The entry notes the filing’s documents are not available for viewing outside the courthouse.
January 16, 2026
Key EventThe court issued an order on 2026-01-16 granting the Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice (docket no. 6) for attorney Jesse M. Bless, approved by Judge Steven D. Grimberg. The order instructs that if the attorney lacks CM/ECF access in the Northern District of Georgia they must request access at http://pacer.gov, but that step may be omitted if the attorney has previously electronically filed in this district.
January 14, 2026
On 2026-01-14 the plaintiffs filed an application for admission pro hac vice for Jesse M. Bless, paying a $100 application fee (receipt number AGANDC-14922813); the entry notes the documents are not viewable outside the courthouse. The entry appears to be a routine pro hac vice admission filing and does not indicate any court action on the application.
January 14, 2026
An electronic summons was issued directed to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Attorney, and the U.S. Attorney General; three summons attachments are listed. The entry appears to document issuance of those summons.
January 13, 2026
A proposed summons was filed on behalf of the plaintiffs; the filing included three attached summons documents for DHS and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The entry lists the proposed summons and its attachments.
January 13, 2026
The clerk mailed a letter regarding the court's LR 83.1 attorney admission requirements to counsel Gregory Siskind and noted the clerk will follow up by 2026-01-23.
January 13, 2026
The court clerk sent a letter to counsel about the court's LR 83.1 attorney admission requirements and noted the clerk will follow up by 2026-01-23. The entry appears to be an administrative notification from the clerk's office.
January 12, 2026
The court clerk sent a letter about the local rule LR 83.1 pro hac vice requirements to counsel and noted the clerk will follow up by 2026-01-22.
January 9, 2026
On 2026-01-09 the plaintiff filed a complaint seeking declaratory and injunctive relief; the filing fee was paid and a civil cover sheet was attached. The entry includes a clerk’s notice about obtaining pretrial forms and was later modified to match the case name.