Current stage: Discovery
The plaintiffs filed suit challenging a USCIS policy and sought a preliminary injunction; the court held a hearing on the injunction motion and took it under submission. On August 17, 2026 the court dismissed all plaintiffs except one without prejudice, denied the remaining plaintiff’s preliminary-injunction motion without prejudice (with leave to renew), and set a scheduling conference and discovery activity going forward.
Deadlines, hearings, and court-ordered dates from this docket
Hearing on the motion for preliminary injunction set for 09:00 AM before Judge John W. Holcomb.
In-person hearing on the motion for preliminary injunction at 1:00 PM in Courtroom 9D before Judge John W. Holcomb.
In-person hearing on the plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction set for May 27, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 9D at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Santa Ana, California.
The defendant must file a response to the complaint by June 18, 2026.
The defendant must answer, move, or otherwise respond to the complaint by July 18, 2026.
Scheduling conference set for 10/16/2026 at 11:00 AM before Judge John W. Holcomb.
Extracted from court filings. Check linked sources for official deadlines.
August 18, 2026
A docket entry labeled “Discovery” was entered on 2026-08-18. The entry provides no details about what discovery was served, filed, or ordered, so the exact nature and effect are unclear from the entry text.
August 18, 2026
The court issued an order scheduling a conference in this case for October 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM before Judge John W. Holcomb.
August 17, 2026
Key EventThe court dismissed all plaintiffs except one from this action without prejudice, and stated the dismissed plaintiffs may file new, separate lawsuits against the defendant based on the same claims. The court denied the remaining plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction without prejudice and granted that plaintiff leave to file another motion providing additional information about the likelihood of irreparable harm.
August 16, 2026
The plaintiff filed a reply brief in support of an application for discovery seeking 110 interrogatories intended to inform the court of the positions of 110 plaintiffs' green-card applications in the adjudication queue. The filing was entered on 2026-08-16.
August 13, 2026
An objection or opposition related to a motion was filed on August 13, 2026; the docket entry provides only the brief label “Objection/Opposition (Motion related)” and does not state who filed it or which motion it addresses.
August 13, 2026
On 2026-08-13 a document titled "Memorandum in Opposition to Motion" was filed. The docket entry does not state which motion is opposed or who filed the memorandum.
August 10, 2026
The docket entry indicates a voluntary dismissal of party(ies) pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1) was filed on 2026-08-10; the entry does not identify who filed it, which party(ies) were dismissed, or whether the dismissal disposes of the case.
August 3, 2026
The docket entry appears to be a notice informing the court and parties that another court issued a decision; the entry provides no details about the decision's content, date, or any effect on this case.
August 3, 2026
On 2026-08-03 the docket shows a single entry labeled "Discovery." The entry contains no additional information about what discovery was served, filed, or ordered, nor does it state any deadlines or next steps.
August 3, 2026
The docket entry dated 2026-08-03 consists only of the brief notation "Dismiss Case." The entry does not state who moved for or ordered dismissal, whether the dismissal was voluntary or by court order, or whether it disposes of the entire case.
July 25, 2026
The docket entry appears to indicate that a voluntary dismissal of party(ies) was filed pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1) on July 25, 2026; the entry does not state which party(ies) were dismissed or whether the dismissal disposes of the case.
July 14, 2026
The docket entry appears to indicate an extension of time to file an answer by more than 30 days; the entry does not state who requested the extension or the new deadline.
July 7, 2026
A docket entry labeled "Notice (Other)" was entered on July 7, 2026; the entry text provides no details about the content, sender, or purpose of the notice.
June 17, 2026
The court approved the parties' stipulation and extended the defendant's time to answer, move, or otherwise respond to the complaint to July 18, 2026.
June 16, 2026
The defendant filed a stipulation requesting an extension of time to file an answer to the complaint until July 18, 2026, attaching a Declaration of Haena Lee and a proposed order.
May 27, 2026
Key EventOn May 27, 2026, the court held a hearing on the plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction; counsel appeared, the court discussed its tentative order and heard oral argument, and the motion was taken under submission. The hearing was reported by court reporter Miriam Baird.
May 21, 2026
The court advanced the hearing on the plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction and set it for May 27, 2026 at 1:30 p.m., directing counsel to appear in person in Courtroom 9D of the Ronald Reagan Federal Building in Santa Ana. This replaces the previously scheduled May 29, 2026 date and time.
May 20, 2026
The court granted the defendant's ex parte request for more time and extended the deadline for the defendant to respond to the complaint to June 18, 2026.
May 18, 2026
The defendant filed an ex parte application requesting an extension of time to file an answer to the complaint until June 18, 2026, attaching a declaration and a proposed order. The docket entry does not indicate whether the court has granted or ruled on the request.
May 15, 2026
The plaintiffs filed a reply brief in support of their motion for a preliminary injunction that seeks to enjoin defendants from holding decisions on the plaintiffs' Forms I-485; the filing includes two exhibits (slip opinions from Roghaee v. Mullin, C.D. Cal. May 4, 2026, and Aye Su Mon v. U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Servs., C.D. Cal. May 1, 2026).
May 8, 2026
The defendant Joseph B. Edlow filed an opposition to the petitioners' motion for preliminary injunction.
May 4, 2026
An attorney filed a notice of appearance on behalf of the defendant Joseph B. Edlow.
April 27, 2026
The court issued a scheduling notice continuing the hearing on the petitioners' motion for preliminary injunction from May 8, 2026 to May 29, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., and directed counsel to appear in person in Courtroom 9D.
April 22, 2026
Key EventThe court issued an in-chambers order denying the petitioners' Request for Entry of Default as premature.
April 20, 2026
The petitioners filed an errata correcting page 22 of the complaint.
April 20, 2026
The clerk issued a notice of deficiency stating the request for entry of default was forwarded to the assigned judge and could not be entered by the clerk.
April 18, 2026
The petitioner filed proof of service showing that the motion for preliminary injunction (and exhibits) was served on April 3, 2026.
April 18, 2026
A group of petitioners filed a request that the clerk enter default against defendant Joseph B. Edlow.
April 13, 2026
Two individual petitioners filed notices voluntarily dismissing their claims pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1) as to defendant Joseph B. Edlow.
April 6, 2026
An individual petitioner filed a notice voluntarily dismissing his claims pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1); the filing states that the remaining individual petitioners do not dismiss their claims at this time.
April 6, 2026
Three individual petitioners filed notices voluntarily dismissing their claims pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1); the filings state that the remaining individual petitioners do not dismiss their claims at this time.
April 1, 2026
Two individual petitioners filed notices voluntarily dismissing their claims pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1) as to defendant Joseph B. Edlow.
April 1, 2026
Multiple petitioners filed a motion for a preliminary injunction asking the court to enjoin defendants from holding decisions on petitioners' Forms I-485; the filing noted a hearing set for 2026-05-08 at 09:00 AM before Judge John W. Holcomb.
March 30, 2026
An individual petitioner filed a notice voluntarily dismissing his claims pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1); the filing states that the remaining individual petitioners do not dismiss their claims at this time.
March 29, 2026
Two individual petitioners filed notices voluntarily dismissing their claims pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1); the filings state that the remaining individual petitioners do not dismiss their claims at this time.
March 24, 2026
The petitioner filed proof of service showing that the summons and complaint were served on the United States Attorney's Office and other agencies/offices as listed.
March 23, 2026
A standing order issued by Judge John W. Holcomb was entered on the docket.
March 20, 2026
On 2026-03-20 the plaintiff filed a complaint (filing fee $405). The filing included three exhibits — the December 2, 2025 USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0192, the January 1, 2026 USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194, and a USCIS email to Senator Adam Schiff's office — and attorney Hamdy Maher Masri was added as counsel for the plaintiff.
March 20, 2026
The case was reassigned from Magistrate Judge Douglas McCormick to District Judge John W. Holcomb for all further proceedings, with discovery matters possibly assigned to Magistrate Judge John D. Early.
March 20, 2026
The petitioner filed a notice identifying interested parties in the case.
March 20, 2026
The clerk notified the parties that the case was assigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas F. McCormick and recorded a declination of consent.
March 20, 2026
The petitioner requested that the clerk issue a summons on the complaint in the civil case opening.
March 20, 2026
A 60-day summons was issued as to the defendant Joseph B. Edlow in connection with the complaint.
March 20, 2026
A civil cover sheet was filed by the petitioner as part of opening the case.
March 20, 2026
A declination of consent form was received and filed with the court on the stated date.