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Case TitleInternational Refugee Assistance Project, Inc. v. United States Department of State
DistrictSouthern District of New York
CityFoley Square
Case Number1:2020cv04728
Date Filed2020-06-19
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge J. Paul Oetken
PlaintiffInternational Refugee Assistance Project, Inc.
Case DescriptionThe International Refugee Assistance Project submitted two FOIA requests to the Department of State for records concerning the Chief of Mission process for processing Special Immigrant Visas. IRAP also requested expedited processing and a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of both requests. The agency denied IRAP's request for expedited processing. The agency also disclosed 34 pages in response to IRAP's first request but withheld records under Exemption 7(C) (invasion of privacy concerning law enforcement records). IRAP filed an administrative appeal. The agency acknowledged receipt of IRAP's administrative appeal but after hearing nothing further from the agency, IRAP filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUnited States Department of State
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Opinion/Order [10]
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2020-06-191COMPLAINT against United States Department of State. (Filing Fee $ 400.00, Receipt Number ANYSDC-20339707)Document filed by International Refugee Assistance Project, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - May 23, 2017 FOIA Request to State Department, # 2 Exhibit B - December 13, 2019 FOIA Request to State Department).(Christensen, Evert) (Entered: 06/19/2020)
2020-06-192CIVIL COVER SHEET filed..(Christensen, Evert) (Entered: 06/19/2020)
2020-06-193REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS as to United States Department of State, re: 1 Complaint,. Document filed by International Refugee Assistance Project, Inc...(Christensen, Evert) (Entered: 06/19/2020)
2020-06-194NOTICE OF APPEARANCE OF PRO BONO COUNSEL by Victor Sean Leung on behalf of International Refugee Assistance Project, Inc..(Leung, Victor) (Entered: 06/19/2020)
2020-06-22CASE OPENING INITIAL ASSIGNMENT NOTICE: The above-entitled action is assigned to Judge J. Paul Oetken. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned District Judge, located at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/judges/district-judges . Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. Please download and review the ECF Rules and Instructions, located at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/rules/ecf-related-instructions . .(jgo) (Entered: 06/22/2020)
2020-06-22Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron is so designated. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1) parties are notified that they may consent to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge. Parties who wish to consent may access the necessary form at the following link: https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf . (jgo) (Entered: 06/22/2020)
2020-06-22Case Designated ECF. (jgo) (Entered: 06/22/2020)
2020-06-225ELECTRONIC SUMMONS ISSUED as to United States Department of State..(jgo) (Entered: 06/22/2020)
2020-07-016NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Tomoko Onozawa on behalf of United States Department of State..(Onozawa, Tomoko) (Entered: 07/01/2020)
2020-07-207AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE of Summons and Complaint,. United States Department of State served on 6/22/2020, answer due 7/13/2020. Service was made by Certified Mail. Document filed by International Refugee Assistance Project, Inc...(Christensen, Evert) (Entered: 07/20/2020)
2020-07-248NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Christopher Kendrick Connolly on behalf of United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 07/24/2020)
2020-07-249ANSWER to 1 Complaint,. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 07/24/2020)
2020-07-2810ORDER: This case arises under the Freedom of Information Act, Title 5, United States Code, Section 552. It is hereby ORDERED that counsel for all parties appear for a telephonic initial status conference with the Court on August 26, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Counsel for the parties should dial (888) 557-8511 at the scheduled time. The access code is 9300838. Interested members of the public may dial in but are asked to mute their phones. So Ordered. (Initial Conference set for 8/26/2020 at 11:00 AM before Judge J. Paul Oetken.) (Signed by Judge J. Paul Oetken on 7/27/2020) (js) (Entered: 07/28/2020)
2020-08-1411AMENDED ANSWER to 1 Complaint,. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 08/14/2020)
2020-08-2012ORDER: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT THE TELEPHONIC INITIAL STATUS CONFERENCE PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR 11:00 A.M. ON AUGUST 26, 2020, IS RESCHEDULED TO 2:30 P.M. OF THE SAME DAY. COUNSEL FOR THE PARTIES SHOULD DIAL (888) 557-8511 AT THE RESCHEDULED TIME. THE ACCESS CODE IS 9300838. INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY DIAL IN BUT ARE ASKED TO MUTE THEIR PHONES. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken)(kye)(Text Only Order) (Entered: 08/20/2020)
2020-08-2113LETTER MOTION to Adjourn Conference addressed to Judge J. Paul Oetken from AUSA Christopher Connolly dated August 21, 2020. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 08/21/2020)
2020-08-2114ORDER granting 13 Letter Motion to Adjourn Conference. GRANTED. THE TELEPHONIC INITIAL STATUS CONFERENCE IS ADJOURNED UNTIL 2:30 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2020. THE DIAL-IN INFORMATION IS THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN THE COURTS PREVIOUS ORDERS. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken)(kye)(Text Only Order) (Entered: 08/21/2020)
2020-09-2215LETTER MOTION to Adjourn Conference addressed to Judge J. Paul Oetken from AUSA Christopher Connolly dated September 22, 2020. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 09/22/2020)
2020-09-2316ORDER granting 15 Letter Motion to Adjourn Conference. GRANTED. THE TELEPHONIC INITIAL STATUS CONFERENCE IS ADJOURNED UNTIL 11:00 A.M. ON OCTOBER 23, 2020. THE DIAL-IN INFORMATION IS THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN THE COURTS PREVIOUS ORDERS. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken)(Text Only Order) (bh) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-10-2017LETTER MOTION to Adjourn Conference addressed to Judge J. Paul Oetken from AUSA Christopher Connolly dated October 20, 2020. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 10/20/2020)
2020-10-2118ORDER granting 17 Letter Motion to Adjourn Conference. GRANTED. THE TELEPHONIC INITIAL STATUS CONFERENCE IS ADJOURNED UNTIL 10:00 A.M. ON DECEMBER 4, 2020. THE DIAL-IN INFORMATION IS THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN THE COURTS PREVIOUS ORDERS. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken)(Text Only Order) (bh) (Entered: 10/21/2020)
2020-12-0119LETTER MOTION to Adjourn Conference addressed to Judge J. Paul Oetken from Evert Christensen dated December 1, 2020. Document filed by International Refugee Assistance Project, Inc...(Christensen, Evert) (Entered: 12/01/2020)
2020-12-0220ORDER granting 19 Letter Motion to Adjourn Conference: GRANTED. THE TELEPHONIC INITIAL STATUS CONFERENCE IS ADJOURNED UNTIL 11:00 A.M. ON DECEMBER 21, 2020. THE DIAL-IN INFORMATION IS THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN THE COURTS PREVIOUS ORDERS. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken)(Text Only Order) (Oetken, J.) (Entered: 12/02/2020)
2020-12-1521LETTER MOTION to Adjourn Conference addressed to Judge J. Paul Oetken from AUSA Christopher Connolly dated December 15, 2020. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 12/15/2020)
2020-12-1622ORDER granting 21 Letter Motion to Adjourn Conference: GRANTED. THE TELEPHONIC INITIAL STATUS CONFERENCE IS ADJOURNED SINE DIE. THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A JOINT STATUS LETTER ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 9, 2021. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken)(Text Only Order) (Oetken, J.) (Entered: 12/16/2020)
2021-02-0923STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 02/09/2021)
2021-02-1024ORDER: GRANTED. THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A JOINT STATUS LETTER ON OR BEFORE MARCH 12, 2021. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken)(kye)(Text Only Order) (Entered: 02/10/2021)
2021-02-1925NOTICE of of Withdrawal of Appearance of Victor S. Leung and Proposed Order. Document filed by International Refugee Assistance Project, Inc...(Christensen, Evert) (Entered: 02/19/2021)
2021-02-2226MEMO ENDORSEMENT on Notice of withdrawal of Appearance of Victor S. Leung and Order re: 25 Notice (Other) filed by International Refugee Assistance Project, Inc. ENDORSEMENT: So Ordered. Attorney Victor S Leung terminated. (Signed by Judge J. Paul Oetken on 2/22/2021) (js) (Entered: 02/22/2021)
2021-03-1227STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 03/12/2021)
2021-03-1628ORDER: GRANTED. THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A JOINT STATUS LETTER ON OR BEFORE APRIL 16, 2021. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken)(kye)(Text Only Order) (Entered: 03/16/2021)
2021-04-1529STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 04/15/2021)
2021-04-1630ORDER: GRANTED. THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A JOINT STATUS LETTER ON OR BEFORE MAY 14, 2021. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken)(kye)(Text Only Order) (Entered: 04/16/2021)
2021-04-2231JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge J. Paul Oetken from Evert J. Christensen, Jr. dated April 22, 2021 re: Local Rule 1.6(a) Notification from all parties. Document filed by International Refugee Assistance Project, Inc...(Christensen, Evert) (Entered: 04/22/2021)
2021-05-1332STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 05/13/2021)
2021-06-1133STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 06/11/2021)
2021-08-1034STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 08/10/2021)
2021-08-3035JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge J. Paul Oetken from AUSA Christopher Connolly dated August 30, 2021 re: follow-up on the parties' April 22, 2021 joint letter. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 08/30/2021)
2021-10-1236STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 10/12/2021)
2021-10-1337ORDER: THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A JOINT STATUS REPORT ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 13, 2021. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (Oetken, J.) (Entered: 10/13/2021)
2021-12-1338STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 12/13/2021)
2022-01-21ORDER: THE LETTER REQUEST AT 38 IS GRANTED. THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A JOINT STATUS LETTER ON OR BEFORE 2/16/2022. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (brl) (Entered: 01/21/2022)
2022-02-1639STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 02/16/2022)
2022-02-17ORDER: THE LETTER REQUEST IN 39 IS GRANTED. THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A FURTHER STATUS REPORT ON OR BEFORE 4/18/2022. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (brl) (Entered: 02/17/2022)
2022-04-1840STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 04/18/2022)
2022-04-19ORDER: THE LETTER REQUEST AT 40 IS GRANTED. THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A FURTHER STATUS REPORT ON OR BEFORE 6/13/22. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (brl) (Entered: 04/19/2022)
2022-06-1341STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 06/13/2022)
2022-08-1042STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 08/10/2022)
2022-08-1143ORDER: THE LETTER REQUEST AT 42 IS GRANTED. THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A FURTHER STATUS REPORT ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 12, 2022. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (lar) (Entered: 08/11/2022)
2022-10-1244STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 10/12/2022)
2022-10-1345ORDER: THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A FURTHER STATUS LETTER ON OR BY NOVEMBER 16, 2022. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (lar) (Entered: 10/13/2022)
2022-11-1646STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 11/16/2022)
2022-11-1747ORDER: THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A FURTHER STATUS REPORT ON OR BY DECEMBER 14, 2022. SO ORDERED. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (lar) (Entered: 11/17/2022)
2022-12-1448STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 12/14/2022)
2022-12-1549ORDER: THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT A FURTHER STATUS REPORT ON OR BY JANUARY 18, 2023. SO ORDERED. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (lar) (Entered: 12/15/2022)
2023-01-1850STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 01/18/2023)
2023-01-2351ORDER: THE PARTIES SHALL FILE A FURTHER STATUS UPDATE ON OR BY MARCH 15, 2023. SO ORDERED. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (lar) (Entered: 01/23/2023)
2023-03-1552STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 03/15/2023)
2023-03-1653ORDER: The parties shall file a further status update on or before May 15, 2023. So ordered. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (lar) (Entered: 03/16/2023)
2023-05-1654STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 05/16/2023)
2023-05-1855ORDER: The parties shall file a further status update on or by July 21, 2023. So ordered. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (lar) (Entered: 05/18/2023)
2023-07-2156STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 07/21/2023)
2023-07-2457ORDER: The parties shall file a further status update by September 19, 2023. SO ORDERED. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (nhb) (Entered: 07/24/2023)
2023-09-1958STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 09/19/2023)
2023-09-2059ORDER: The parties shall submit a further status report on or before November 17, 2023. So ordered. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (nhb) (Entered: 09/20/2023)
2023-11-1760STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 11/17/2023)
2023-11-2061ORDER: The parties shall submit a further status report on or before January 17, 2024. So ordered. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (nhb) (Entered: 11/20/2023)
2024-01-1762STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 01/17/2024)
2024-01-1863ORDER: The parties shall submit a further status report on or before March 13, 2024. So ordered. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge J. Paul Oetken) (Text Only Order) (nhb) (Entered: 01/18/2024)
2024-03-1364STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Department of State..(Connolly, Christopher) (Entered: 03/13/2024)
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