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Case TitleLEOPOLD et al v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2019cv03028
Date Filed2019-10-10
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Dabney L. Friedrich
PlaintiffJASON LEOPOLD
PlaintiffBUZZFEED, INC.
Case DescriptionBuzzFeed reporter Jason Leopold submitted FOIA requests to the Department of Homeland Security for records concerning repatriation referring to deceased individuals who died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Leopold also requested a fee waiver. U.S. Customs and Border Protection acknowledged the request sent to it but none of the other agencies acknowledged Leopold's requests. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Leopold filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
DefendantDEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
DefendantU.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT
DefendantU.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2019-10-101COMPLAINT against U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-6439746) filed by JASON LEOPOLD, BUZZFEED INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Civil Cover Sheet, # 4 Summons)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 10/10/2019)
2019-10-102NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Topic on behalf of BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 10/10/2019)
2019-10-103LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by BUZZFEED INC. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 10/10/2019)
2019-10-11Case assigned to Judge Dabney L. Friedrich. (zmc) (Entered: 10/11/2019)
2019-10-114SUMMONS (6) Issued Electronically as to U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmc) (Entered: 10/11/2019)
2019-11-205ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.(Nebeker, William) (Entered: 11/20/2019)
2019-11-21MINUTE ORDER requiring the parties to MEET AND CONFER and file a joint status report proposing a schedule for further proceedings. The status report should address the status of the plaintiff's FOIA request, including the anticipated number of documents responsive to the request and the anticipated date(s) for release of the requested documents. The parties shall file the joint status report on or before December 5, 2019. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on November 21, 2019. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
2019-12-056Joint STATUS REPORT by BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 12/05/2019)
2019-12-06MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 6 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before February 5, 2020. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on December 6, 2019. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 12/06/2019)
2020-02-057NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Robert Aaron Caplen on behalf of U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT Substituting for attorney W. Mark Nebeker (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 02/05/2020)
2020-02-058Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 02/05/2020)
2020-02-07MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 8 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before April 6, 2020. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on February 6, 2020. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-04-069Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 04/06/2020)
2020-04-06MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 9 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before June 8, 2020. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on April 6, 2020. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 04/06/2020)
2020-04-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 6/8/2020 (zjch) (Entered: 04/07/2020)
2020-06-0810Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 06/08/2020)
2020-06-08MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 10 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before August 10, 2020. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on June 8, 2020. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 06/08/2020)
2020-06-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 8/10/2020 (zjch) (Entered: 06/09/2020)
2020-08-1011Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 08/10/2020)
2020-08-11MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 11 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before October 9, 2020. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on August 11, 2020. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 08/11/2020)
2020-08-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 10/9/2020 (zjch) (Entered: 08/11/2020)
2020-10-0912Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 10/09/2020)
2020-10-12MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 12 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before November 10, 2020. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on October 12, 2020. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 10/12/2020)
2020-10-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 11/10/2020 (zjch) (Entered: 10/13/2020)
2020-11-0913Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 11/09/2020)
2020-11-10MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 13 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before December 10, 2020. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on November 10, 2020. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 11/10/2020)
2020-11-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 12/10/2020 (zjch) (Entered: 11/10/2020)
2020-12-0914Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 12/09/2020)
2020-12-09MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 14 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before February 10, 2021. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on December 9, 2020. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 12/09/2020)
2020-12-09Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 2/10/2021 (zjch) (Entered: 12/10/2020)
2021-02-1015Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 02/10/2021)
2021-02-10MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 15 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before April 12, 2021. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on February 10, 2021. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 02/10/2021)
2021-02-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 4/12/2021 (zjch) (Entered: 02/10/2021)
2021-04-1216Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 04/12/2021)
2021-04-12MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 16 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before May 12, 2021. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on April 12, 2021. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 04/12/2021)
2021-04-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 5/12/2021 (zjch) (Entered: 04/13/2021)
2021-05-1017Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 05/10/2021)
2021-05-11MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 17 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before July 30, 2021. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on May 11, 2021. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 05/11/2021)
2021-05-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 7/30/2021 (zjch) (Entered: 05/11/2021)
2021-06-3018NOTICE of Appearance by Daniel Patrick Schaefer on behalf of All Defendants (Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 06/30/2021)
2021-07-3019Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 07/30/2021)
2021-07-30MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 19 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before October 29, 2021. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on July 30, 2021. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 07/30/2021)
2021-07-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 10/29/2021 (zjch) (Entered: 08/02/2021)
2021-10-2920Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 10/29/2021)
2021-10-29MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 20 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before January 27, 2022, and every ninety days thereafter, to update the Court on the progress of the defendants' productions, until all outstanding processing is completed or until further order from the Court. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on October 29, 2021. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 10/29/2021)
2022-01-2521NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Erika Kirstie Oblea on behalf of DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT Substituting for attorney Daniel Schaefer and Robert Caplen (Oblea, Erika) (Entered: 01/25/2022)
2022-01-2722Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Oblea, Erika) (Entered: 01/27/2022)
2022-01-28MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before April 27, 2022, and every ninety days thereafter, to update the Court on the progress of the defendants' productions, until all outstanding processing is completed or until further order from the Court. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on January 28, 2022. (lcdlf2) (Entered: 01/28/2022)
2022-04-2723NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Loevy on behalf of BUZZFEED, INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 04/27/2022)
2022-04-2724Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Oblea, Erika) (Entered: 04/27/2022)
2022-07-2525NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Robert Aaron Caplen on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney Erika Oblea (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 07/25/2022)
2022-07-2526Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 07/25/2022)
2022-10-2427Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 10/24/2022)
2022-10-24MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 27 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before January 23, 2023. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on October 24, 2022. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 10/24/2022)
2023-01-2328Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 01/23/2023)
2023-01-23MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 28 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before April 24, 2023. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on January 23, 2023. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 01/23/2023)
2023-01-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 4/24/2023 (zjch, ) (Entered: 01/24/2023)
2023-01-2729NOTICE of Appearance by L'Shauntee J. Robertson on behalf of All Defendants (Robertson, L'Shauntee) (Entered: 01/27/2023)
2023-02-2130NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of BUZZFEED, INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 02/21/2023)
2023-02-22RESOLVED...NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Wayne, Merrick), Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 3/1/2023. (zbaj) Modified on 2/23/2023 (znmw). Modified on 3/2/2023 (zbaj). (Entered: 02/22/2023)
2023-04-2431Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Robertson, L'Shauntee) (Entered: 04/24/2023)
2023-04-24MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 31 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before July 24, 2023. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on April 24, 2023. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 04/24/2023)
2023-04-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 7/24/2023 (zjch, ) (Entered: 04/25/2023)
2023-07-2432Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Robertson, L'Shauntee) (Entered: 07/24/2023)
2023-07-24MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 32 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before October 24, 2023. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on July 24, 2023. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 07/24/2023)
2023-07-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 10/24/2023 (zjch, ) (Entered: 07/25/2023)
2023-10-2433Joint STATUS REPORT by BUZZFEED, INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 10/24/2023)
2023-10-25MINUTE ORDER. In the light of the parties' 33 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on January 24, 2024. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on October 25, 2023. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 10/25/2023)
2023-10-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 1/24/2024 (zjch, ) (Entered: 10/26/2023)
2024-01-2434Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Robertson, L'Shauntee) (Entered: 01/24/2024)
2024-01-24MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 34 Joint Status Report, the Court orders that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before April 24, 2024. So ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on January 24, 2024. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 01/24/2024)
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