Current stage: Preliminary Injunction
The plaintiffs sued DHS/USCIS alleging RFRA, constitutional, mandamus, APA, and declaratory claims to compel adjudication of a pending Form I-129 and challenged unreasonable delay tied to a USCIS policy memorandum, and they sought emergency injunctive relief. After a June 1 hearing the court issued a temporary restraining order and on June 17 converted that order into a preliminary injunction preserving the individual plaintiff’s F-1 status and OPT employment authorization through the conclusion of the litigation and directing defendants to document compliance; defendants have been served and the case is proceeding.
Deadlines, hearings, and court-ordered dates from this docket
Hearing on the two emergency motions for preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order set for 01:30 PM on 2026-06-01 via Zoom before Chief District Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales; participants should join 15 minutes early and will receive Zoom credentials separately.
Defendants must provide the plaintiffs documentation confirming compliance with the court’s order within 14 days of the order’s entry (deadline 2026-07-01).
The served party must file an answer to the complaint by 2026-07-27.
The served party must file an answer to the complaint by 2026-07-27.
The defendant served on 2026-05-27 must file its answer by 2026-07-27.
The defendant must file an answer to the complaint by 07/27/2026.
The defendant's answer or responsive pleading is due by July 27, 2026.
Extracted from court filings. Check linked sources for official deadlines.
June 17, 2026
Key EventThe court converted its prior temporary restraining order into a preliminary injunction, ordering that the individual plaintiff’s F-1 status and OPT employment authorization remain valid until the conclusion of this litigation and requiring defendants to provide documentation confirming compliance. The court said it will enter a subsequent order at the conclusion of the case confirming the total period of extension.
June 10, 2026
The defendants filed a response to the petitioners' emergency motion for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order, stating the filing was made in compliance with the court's Order (doc. 11).
June 2, 2026
Key EventThe court granted the plaintiffs’ emergency motion in part and issued a temporary restraining order following a June 1 hearing, finding the plaintiffs likely to succeed on their RFRA claim and concluding that no bond is required. The written order explains the court’s legal analysis and narrows the scope of the TRO.
June 2, 2026
An attorney filed a notice of appearance on June 2, 2026 indicating they will represent two individual defendants and two federal agency defendants in the case. The filing is a routine notice of counsel entering an appearance and does not state any court ruling or deadline.
June 1, 2026
A motion hearing was held on June 1, 2026 before Chief District Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales on the plaintiffs' emergency motion for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order; the clerk's minutes note the proceeding and a court reporter was present. The entry does not state any ruling or outcome from the hearing.
May 28, 2026
A summons was returned executed indicating a defendant was served on May 27, 2026; the defendant's answer is due July 27, 2026. The docket text was later modified on May 29, 2026.
May 28, 2026
The docket entry indicates a summons was returned executed showing the Acting U.S. Attorney General was served on May 27, 2026, and that a defendant's answer is due July 27, 2026.
May 28, 2026
A summons was returned executed indicating a party was served on 2026-05-27; the served party's answer is due on 2026-07-27.
May 28, 2026
A summons was returned executed indicating a party was served on 2026-05-27; that served party’s answer is due on 2026-07-27.
May 28, 2026
A summons was returned executed showing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was served on May 27, 2026. The entry notes the defendant's answer is due July 27, 2026.
May 27, 2026
The docket entry schedules a Zoom motion hearing on the two emergency motions for preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order for June 1, 2026 at 01:30 PM before Chief District Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales and provides remote-participation instructions. It reminds participants to join 15 minutes early, notes Zoom credentials will be sent separately, and prohibits recording.
May 26, 2026
The docket entry indicates the case was reassigned to Chief United States District Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales as the trial judge and that United States District Judge David H. Urias is no longer assigned. It instructs that future filings must display the case number and the assigned judges' initials on the first page per the local rule.
May 22, 2026
The plaintiffs (a religious nonprofit and an individual) filed a complaint on May 22, 2026 bringing RFRA, constitutional, mandamus, APA, and declaratory/judicial-relief claims to compel DHS/USCIS to adjudicate a pending Form I-129 (R-1) petition filed December 31, 2025; they allege unreasonable delay tied to a USCIS policy memorandum and seek immediate adjudication and attorney fees. The filing initiates the lawsuit but does not indicate any court ruling or scheduled events.
May 22, 2026
The petitioners filed an emergency motion asking the court for a preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order. The filing includes a TRO information sheet and an exhibit as attachments.