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Current stage: Resolved
The plaintiffs filed suit challenging a USCIS policy and sought to proceed under pseudonyms; the court issued orders concerning pseudonym use and required service on the defendants. The parties subsequently filed a stipulation of dismissal, and the court entered a Rule 41(a)(2) order dismissing the action with prejudice and without costs, resolving the case.
Deadlines, hearings, and court-ordered dates from this docket
Plaintiffs must file a response by May 13, 2026 showing why they should not be sanctioned for using pseudonyms and why they should be permitted to proceed under pseudonyms.
Defendants must respond to the plaintiffs' motions to proceed under a pseudonym and to file certain exhibits under seal by this date.
Defendants must show cause by 2026-06-03 why Plaintiffs' motions should not be deemed unopposed.
Extracted from court filings. Check linked sources for official deadlines.
May 29, 2026
On May 29, 2026, counsel for the federal defendants filed a document titled “Proposed Stipulation and Order” signed/entered by counsel for the named federal parties. The entry does not indicate any court ruling or set any deadlines.
May 29, 2026
Key EventThe parties stipulated to dismiss the case and the court entered a Rule 41(a)(2) dismissal, dismissing the action with prejudice and without costs or fees to any party; the dismissal was granted and so-ordered by Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil on 2026-05-29.
May 28, 2026
Key EventThe court ordered Defendants to show cause by June 3, 2026 why Plaintiffs' motions to proceed under pseudonym and to file certain exhibits under seal should not be deemed unopposed, noting Defendants failed to respond by the earlier May 26 deadline. The order arises from Plaintiffs' motions filed May 12 and the court's prior instruction that Defendants respond by May 26.
May 19, 2026
On May 19, 2026, counsel Leslie A. Ramirez-Fisher filed a notice of appearance stating she represents several named federal defendants and agencies in the case.
May 15, 2026
Key EventThe court ordered the plaintiffs to immediately serve the complaint, their motion for leave to proceed under a pseudonym (ECF No. 19), their motion to file certain exhibits under seal (ECF No. 20), and this order on the defendants. The court further ordered that defendants must respond to the plaintiffs' motions by May 26, 2026.
May 12, 2026
The plaintiffs filed a response to the court's Order to Show Cause (docket no. 16). The filing was entered on May 12, 2026.
May 12, 2026
The plaintiffs filed a motion asking the court to seal specific exhibits (titled "Plaintiffs Motion to File Specific Exhibits Under Seal"). The filing includes seven attachments consisting of multiple exhibit files and notices identifying the plaintiffs.
May 12, 2026
The plaintiffs filed a Rule 7.1 corporate disclosure statement on May 12, 2026, stating there is no corporate parent.
May 12, 2026
The plaintiffs filed a motion asking the court for leave to proceed under pseudonyms; the motion was entered on 2026-05-12.
May 6, 2026
The plaintiffs filed a request that the court issue a summons for Michael Borgen in connection with the complaint; the filing was entered on 2026-05-06.
May 6, 2026
The petitioner filed a request that the court issue a summons directed to the Department of Homeland Security in connection with the complaint; the filing was entered on 2026-05-06.
May 6, 2026
The petitioner filed a request that the court issue a summons directed to Joseph B. Edlow in connection with the complaint; the filing was entered on May 6, 2026. The entry appears to be a routine request and does not indicate any court action or ruling.
May 6, 2026
The petitioners filed a request that the court issue a summons directed to a federal official; the document was entered on 2026-05-06. The entry appears to be a routine filing and does not indicate any court action or set any deadlines.
May 6, 2026
The petitioners filed a request asking the court to issue a summons directed to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York; the entry does not indicate any court action or set a deadline.
May 6, 2026
The petitioners filed a request asking the court to issue a summons directed to the Attorney General of the United States in connection with the complaint. The entry does not indicate any court action, ruling, or deadlines were set.
May 6, 2026
Key EventThe court ordered the plaintiffs to show cause by May 13, 2026 why they should not be sanctioned for filing this case under pseudonyms without leave and why they should be allowed to proceed under pseudonyms. The order warns that continued noncompliance could lead to sanctions, including monetary penalties, preclusion of claims/evidence/motions, or dismissal/default judgment.
May 6, 2026
The plaintiffs filed a request asking the court to issue a summons directed to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in connection with the complaint filed in the case.
May 5, 2026
The clerk marked a request for issuance of a summons as deficient due to a PDF error; the filing concerned summonses directed to federal officials and the U.S. Attorney's Office and included two appendix summons attachments. The entry notes the document was modified on 2026-05-06.
May 5, 2026
The clerk flagged a filing as deficient: a request for issuance of a summons contained a PDF error and was marked defective. The entry notes the document was modified on 2026-05-06.