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Case TitleSERAJI v. U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2021cv02030
Date Filed2021-07-27
Date Closed2023-07-03
JudgeJudge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly
PlaintiffMARINA SERAJI
Case DescriptionMarina Seraji submitted a FOIA request to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for records concerning her INS legacy file. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Seraji filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES
DefendantU.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES
TERMINATED: 08/04/2022
DefendantTRACY RENAUD in her official capacity as Acting Director, Office of the Chief Counsel
DefendantTRACY RENAUD in her official capacity as Acting Director, Office of the Chief Counsel
TERMINATED: 08/04/2022
DefendantU.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
DefendantU.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
TERMINATED: 08/04/2022
DefendantTROY A. MILLER in his official capacity as Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner of U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
DefendantTROY A. MILLER in his official capacity as Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner of U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
TERMINATED: 08/04/2022
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
DefendantDEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-07-271COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-8627101) filed by MARINA SERAJI. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons USCIS, # 3 Summons Renaud, # 4 Summons CBP, # 5 Summons Miller, # 6 Summons Homeland Security)(Pederson, Jan) (Entered: 07/27/2021)
2021-07-27NOTICE OF ERROR re 1 Complaint; emailed to jan@wcslaw.com, cc'd 0 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Noncompliance with LCvR 5.1(c). Please file an errata correcting the initiating pleading to include the name & full residence address of each party using the event Errata., 2. COMPLIANCE DEADLINE is by close of business today. This case will not proceed any further until all errors are satisfied. (zsb, ) (Entered: 07/27/2021)
2021-07-282ERRATA Complaint with Address by MARINA SERAJI re 1 Complaint, filed by MARINA SERAJI. (Pederson, Jan) (Entered: 07/28/2021)
2021-07-29Case Assigned to Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. (zsb) (Entered: 07/29/2021)
2021-07-293SUMMONS (5) Issued Electronically as to TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 07/29/2021)
2021-07-304ORDER ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE COLLEEN KOLLAR-KOTELLY. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 7/30/2021. (DM) (Entered: 07/30/2021)
2021-09-275NOTICE of Appearance by Dedra Seibel Curteman on behalf of All Defendants (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 09/27/2021)
2021-09-276Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to Answer by TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 09/27/2021)
2021-09-28MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Defendants' 6 Motion for Extension of Time and the entire record herein, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendants' Motion for Extension of Time is hereby GRANTED; and IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint by November 1, 2021. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on September 28, 2021. (lcckk1) (Entered: 09/28/2021)
2021-09-28Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendants' Answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's 1 Complaint due by 11/1/2021. (dot) (Entered: 09/28/2021)
2021-11-017MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 2 Errata, 1 Complaint, by TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 11/01/2021)
2021-11-01MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the 7 Consent Motion for Enlargement of Time. Defendants' answer is presently due on or before November 1, 2021. Defendants, however, ask for an extension of this deadline until December 1, 2021. On September 28, 2021, the Court granted Defendants' first such motion to extend the deadline to file a response to Plaintiff's complaint. For good cause shown, the Court also GRANTS this 7 Motion. Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiffs complaint by December 1, 2021. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on November 1, 2021. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on November 1, 2021. (lcckk1) (Entered: 11/01/2021)
2021-11-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint by 12/1/2021. (dot) (Entered: 11/02/2021)
2021-11-228Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 11/22/2021)
2021-11-23MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received Defendants' 8 Consent Motion for Enlargement of Time. Defendant's answer is presently due December 1, 2021. On November 1, 2021, the Court granted Defendants' second such motion to extend the deadline to file a response to Plaintiff's complaint. In this third Motion, Defendants state that Plaintiff's counsel has found information that may obviate Plaintiff's FOIA claim in this case. Mot. at 2, ECF No. 8. Defendants further state that additional time is needed to potentially provide additional information to Plaintiff's counsel and confer with Plaintiff's counsel regarding whether further litigation is necessary. Accordingly, and upon good cause shown, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendants' 8 Consent Motion for Extension of Time is GRANTED . If is further ORDERED that Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint by January 18, 2022. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 11/23/2021. (lcckk1) (Entered: 11/23/2021)
2021-11-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Answer due by 1/18/2022. (kt) (Entered: 11/24/2021)
2022-01-189Consent MOTION to Stay re 1 Complaint, Proceedings for 30 days by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 01/18/2022)
2022-01-18MINUTE ORDER: Before the Court is Defendants' 9 Consent Motion for Stay of Proceedings, filed January 18, 2022. Rather than filing their answer, due January 18, 2022, Defendants seek a stay of this case for thirty days, to February 17, 2022. Defendants indicate that the parties "are discussing a potential resolution, but need additional time to determine mutual agreement." This is Defendants' third such request for relief, and Plaintiff consents to the request. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendants' 9 Consent Motion for Stay of Proceedings is GRANTED . This case is STAYED until February 17, 2022. Defendants shall file their answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint upon the expiration of the stay. Defendants are further advised that, pursuant to the Court's 4 Order, all requests for extensions of time must be filed at least four business days prior to the affected deadline. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on January 18, 2022. (lcckk1) (Entered: 01/18/2022)
2022-02-1010Joint MOTION to Stay by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 02/10/2022)
2022-02-10MINUTE ORDER: Before the Court is the parties' 10 Joint Motion for Stay of Proceedings. The parties seek to enlarge the present stay by thirty days as they continue settlement discussions. Accordingly, and upon good cause shown, the parties' 10 Motion is GRANTED . This case shall remain STAYED until March 21, 2022. The parties shall file another joint status report on or before the expiration of the stay. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on February 10, 2022. (lcckk1) (Entered: 02/10/2022)
2022-03-2111Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 03/21/2022)
2022-03-2112Joint MOTION to Stay by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 03/21/2022)
2022-03-21MINUTE ORDER: Before the Court is the parties' 12 Joint Status Report and Motion for Stay of Proceedings. The parties represent that they remain in settlement discussions and request another stay of thirty days. Accordingly, and upon good cause, it is hereby ORDERED that this case is STAYED until further order of the Court. The parties shall file a joint status report updating the Court on their settlement discussions on April 18, 2022 and every thirty days thereafter. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on March 21, 2022. (lcckk1) (Entered: 03/21/2022)
2022-03-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/18/2022, updating the Court on their settlement discussions. (dot) (Entered: 03/23/2022)
2022-04-1113Joint STATUS REPORT by MARINA SERAJI. (Pederson, Jan) (Entered: 04/11/2022)
2022-05-1914Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 05/19/2022)
2022-05-1915Joint MOTION for Scheduling Order by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 05/19/2022)
2022-05-19MINUTE ORDER: The Court is in receipt of the parties' 15 Joint Motion for Scheduling Order. The parties request an order setting a briefing schedule for a "dispositive motion." Because the Motion does not indicate what kind of dispositive motions the parties intend to file, the parties shall file a joint notice on or before May 26, 2022 indicating whether Defendants intend to move for summary judgment or instead to dismiss the 1 Complaint. If the former, the notice shall indicate whether Plaintiff intends to cross-move for summary judgment. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on May 19, 2022. (lcckk1) (Entered: 05/19/2022)
2022-05-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Notice to the Court due by 5/26/2022. (dot) (Entered: 05/20/2022)
2022-05-2616NOTICE by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 05/26/2022)
2022-05-30MINUTE ORDER: The Court is in receipt of the parties' 16 Notice and shall GRANT the parties' 15 Joint Motion for Scheduling Order and adopt the parties proposed schedule. Defendants shall file their motion to dismiss on or before July 15, 2022 . Plaintiff shall file her opposition on or before August 15, 2022 . Defendants shall file their reply in support of their motion to dismiss on or before August 31, 2022 . Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on May 30, 2022. (lcckk1) (Entered: 05/30/2022)
2022-05-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendants' Motion to Dismiss due by 7/15/2022. Plaintiff's Opposition due by 8/15/2022. Defendants' Reply due by 8/31/2022. (dot) (Entered: 06/04/2022)
2022-07-1517MOTION to Dismiss by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 07/15/2022)
2022-08-0418AMENDED COMPLAINT against DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY by MARINA SERAJI. (Pederson, Jan) Modified on 8/5/2022 to correct event type/ docket text (zjm). (Entered: 08/04/2022)
2022-08-05MINUTE ORDER: In light of Plaintiff's 18 Amended Complaint, Defendants' 17 Motion to Dismiss is DENIED AS MOOT . Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(a)(2), Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's 18 Amended Complaint on or before October 3, 2022 . Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on August 5, 2022. (lcckk1) (Entered: 08/05/2022)
2022-08-05Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's 18 Amended Complaint on or before 10/3/2022. (dot) (Entered: 08/22/2022)
2022-09-2919Consent MOTION to Stay by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 09/29/2022)
2022-09-30MINUTE ORDER: The Court is in receipt of Defendants' 19 Consent Motion to Stay Proceedings. Defendants represent that Defendant U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services intends to re-review the administrative decision denying Plaintiff the relief at issue here. As such, Defendants request a stay of this case for sixty days. As Plaintiff consents, and upon good cause shown, Defendants' 19 Consent Motion to Stay Proceedings is GRANTED . This matter is STAYED until December 2, 2022. The parties shall submit a joint status report on or before December 1, 2022 updating the Court as to the progress of the administrative re-review. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on September 30, 2022. (lcckk1) (Entered: 09/30/2022)
2022-11-2920Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 11/29/2022)
2022-12-08MINUTE ORDER: The Court is in receipt of the parties' 20 Joint Status Report. The parties indicate that they remain in settlement discussion and request the Court extend the stay in this matter. In consideration thereof, this case shall remain STAYED , and the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before January 30, 2023 updating the Court on the progress of the parties' settlement negotiations. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on December 7, 2022. (lcckk1) (Entered: 12/08/2022)
2022-12-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/30/2023, updating the Court on the progress of the parties' settlement negotiations. (dot) (Entered: 12/12/2022)
2023-01-3021Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 01/30/2023)
2023-02-02MINUTE ORDER: The Court is in receipt of the parties' 21 Joint Status Report, in which the parties indicate that they remain in settlement discussions and request that they stay in this case be extended another sixty days. Upon consideration thereof, this matter shall remain STAYED until April 4, 2023 . The parties shall file another joint status report on or before April 3, 2023 . Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on February 2, 2023. (lcckk1) (Entered: 02/02/2023)
2023-02-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/3/2023. (dot) (Entered: 02/09/2023)
2023-04-0322Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 04/03/2023)
2023-04-07MINUTE ORDER: The Court is in receipt of the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, in which the parties indicate that they remain in settlement discussions and request that the stay in this case be extended another sixty days. Upon consideration thereof, this matter shall remained STAYED until June 1, 2023 . The parties shall file another joint status report on or before June 2, 2023 . Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on April 7, 2023. (lcckk1) (Entered: 04/07/2023)
2023-04-07Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/2/2023. (dot) (Entered: 04/07/2023)
2023-06-0223Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 06/02/2023)
2023-06-06MINUTE ORDER: The Court is in receipt of the parties' 23 Joint Status Report, in which the parties indicate that they remain in settlement discussions and request that the stay in this case be extended another thirty days. Upon consideration thereof, this matter shall remain STAYED until further order of the Court. The parties shall file another joint status report on or before July 3, 2023 and, if necessary, every sixty days thereafter. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on June 6, 2023. (lcckk1) (Entered: 06/06/2023)
2023-06-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/3/2023 and, if necessary, every sixty days thereafter. (dot) (Entered: 06/15/2023)
2023-06-3024STIPULATION of Dismissal by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TROY A. MILLER, TRACY RENAUD, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 06/30/2023)
2023-06-3025ERRATA by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY re 24 Stipulation of Dismissal. (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 06/30/2023)
2023-07-0326ORDER dismissing case without prejudice. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to close this case. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on July 3, 2023. (lcckk1) (Entered: 07/03/2023)
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