Shokri Varniab v. Edlow

The court issued a text-only order granting the defendants' administrative motion for an extension to file a motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint and set new briefing deadlines: the motion to dismiss is due April 10, 2026; plaintiffs' opposition is due April 17, 2026; and the defendants' reply is due five days after the opposition is filed.

The court issued an order denying a request to treat three later-filed cases as related to an earlier-filed matter, explicitly leaving those three cases with their current judges and not reassigning them to the judge in the earlier case. The order states there is no immediate legal effect on case assignments and contains no deadlines or hearings.

A motion hearing and the initial case management conference were held before the magistrate judge on March 24, 2026; the docket entry states the court will issue an order. The entry notes the parties' counsel appeared and records the hearing time (10:04–10:15 a.m.).

Following a March 24, 2026 case management conference, the court authorized plaintiffs to file a Second Amended Complaint by March 30, 2026, and set an expedited briefing schedule on defendants' jurisdictional response (defendants due April 3, plaintiffs due April 10, defendants' reply due April 15); the court noted it will set a hearing if needed and deferred ruling on plaintiffs' motion for expedited discovery. The order also records that the parties told the court USCIS denied the plaintiffs' I-485 and I-765 applications and that defendants assert the case may be moot, while defendants consented to the filing of the Second Amended Complaint.

The court issued an order on Feb. 20, 2026 granting the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, finding subject-matter jurisdiction and that plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their APA/mandamus/unreasonable-delay and related claims and would suffer irreparable harm. The order enjoins defendants from applying the PM-0192 adjudication hold to the plaintiffs' Form I-765 and Form I-485, requires defendants to adjudicate those applications and notify plaintiffs (with reasons for any denials) within 30 days, waives any bond, requires defense counsel to serve and file notice of the order by Feb. 24, 2026, and set an in-person case management conference for Mar. 24, 2026.

The court signed an order approving the parties' stipulation to extend the defendants' deadline to respond to the Amended Complaint; under the stipulation, the defendants' response is due 30 days after the court issues its order on the pending motion for preliminary injunction. The order is signed by the judge and was filed on February 12, 2026.

Defendants filed their supplemental statement in response to the court's post-hearing directions.

Plaintiffs filed the short statement requested after the hearing (labeled as a statement regarding the motion hearing).

Plaintiffs filed the required post-hearing declarations, including declarations from both plaintiffs detailing current educational/employment status and other requested facts.

Defendants filed a stipulation seeking an extension of time to respond to the amended complaint.

The court held the preliminary-injunction hearing on February 10, 2026 and ordered each side to file short statements about the applicable statutory scheme and required plaintiffs to file declarations about education/employment and authorization status; the government may respond to those declarations.

Plaintiffs filed a notice identifying a change in material facts and attached a declaration and a USCIS response.

The court issued a text-only order stating that at the February 10 hearing it will hear argument but will not take witness testimony.

Defendants filed a corrected certified administrative record for the court and parties.

Defendants filed and served a certified administrative record related to the case (first filing corrected by later notice).

Plaintiffs filed their reply in support of the motion for preliminary injunction.

Defendants filed their opposition to the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, including a supporting declaration.

The court issued an order requiring expedited production of the administrative record in response to plaintiffs' expedited-discovery motion.

Plaintiffs filed a reply in support of their ex parte application for expedited discovery.

Defendants filed their opposition to plaintiffs' ex parte application for expedited discovery.

The court granted the parties' stipulation extending the defendants' deadline to respond to the preliminary-injunction motion.

Defendants filed a stipulation asking for an extension of their deadline to respond to the preliminary-injunction motion.

Plaintiffs again filed proof that summonses were served on all defendants (another returned-executed filing).

Defense counsel filed a notice of appearance on behalf of the named defendants.

Plaintiffs filed an ex parte application and motion seeking expedited discovery, including a proposed order and supporting memorandum.

Plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction and the court set a hearing for February 10, 2026; briefing deadlines for responses and replies were set.

Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint adding exhibits including the December 2, 2025 USCIS Policy Memorandum and related USCIS materials.

Plaintiffs filed proof that the summonses were served on all defendants (summons returned executed).

The clerk issued summonses directed to the named defendants, enabling formal service of the complaint.

The court issued the standard Immigration Mandamus Case Procedural Order setting out case procedures and deadlines specific to mandamus litigation.

The case was assigned to Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen and the clerk notified parties about service responsibilities, standing orders, and the consent/declination deadline.

Plaintiffs filed a complaint asking the court for declaratory and injunctive relief and a writ of mandamus challenging defendants' actions. The filing includes multiple exhibits and the $405 filing fee.