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Case TitleLIGTT Regional Center, LLC v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services et al
DistrictWestern District of Missouri
CityKansas City
Case Number4:2016cv00793
Date Filed2016-07-15
Date Closed2016-09-09
JudgeDistrict Judge Roseann Ketchmark
PlaintiffLIGTT Regional Center, LLC
Case DescriptionLIGTT Regional Center, a USCIS-designated EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center to solicit foreign investors to invest in U.S. businesses, filed a reverse-FOIA suit against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services after the agency told LIGTT that it planned to disclose records LIGTT submitted as part of its petition to become an investment center in response to a FOIA request. LIGTT objected to disclosure of its Private Confidential Placement Memo. LIGTT argued that a statutory provision prohibited the agency from disclosing the records under Exemption 3 (other statutes) and that the records were protected under Exemption 4 (confidential business information) as well.
Complaint issues: Litigation - Reverse-FOIA - Confidential business information

DefendantUnited States Citizenship and Immigration Services
DefendantLeon Rodriguez in his official capacity As Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
DefendantJill Eggleston in her official capacity as Director of FOIA Operations of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2016-07-151COMPLAINT for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and Petition for Temporary Restraining Order against All Defendants filed by Joshua D Neally on behalf of LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. Filing fee $400, receipt number 0866-4909964. Service due by 10/17/2016. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Neally, Joshua) (Entered: 07/15/2016)
2016-07-152NOTICE OF INCLUSION FOR MEDIATION AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (MAP). REVIEW NOTICE AND MAP GENERAL ORDER CAREFULLY FOR IMPORTANT CHANGES, DEADLINES AND REQUIREMENTS. Notice of MAP assignment to United States Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer. (Attachments: # 1 MAP General Order)(Martin, Jan) (Entered: 07/15/2016)
2016-07-153Motion to allow Heartsill Ragon III to appear pro hac vice (Pro Hac fee $50 receipt number 0866-4910238) filed by Joshua D Neally on behalf of LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement)(Neally, Joshua) (Entered: 07/15/2016)
2016-07-154Motion to allow Aaron Marshall Heffington to appear pro hac vice (Pro Hac fee $50 receipt number 0866-4910267) filed by Joshua D Neally on behalf of LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement)(Neally, Joshua) (Entered: 07/15/2016)
2016-07-15SUMMONS ISSUED as to FOIA Officer Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services c/o Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services c/o U.S. Attorney, WDMO, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services c/o U.S. Attorney General. (Keller, Jeanne) (Entered: 07/15/2016)
2016-07-155Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Roseann Ketchmark: Hearing on Motion for Temporary Restraining Order (doc. 1) held on 7/15/2016. The Court granted the motion. The parties have agreed to the following briefing schedule: Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction is due to be filed by August 1, 2016. Defendants' response is due to be filed by August 15, 2016. Plaintiff's reply is due to be filed by August 22, 2016. The Court requested additional information as stated on the record to be filed separately and under seal. Time in court: 4:00 PM to 4:10 PM. To order a transcript of this hearing please contact Kathy Calvert, 816-512-5741. (Moore, Terri) (Entered: 07/15/2016)
2016-07-186ORDER granting 3 and 4 motions to appear pro hac vice entered by Clerk of Court. Attorney Heartsill Ragon, III and Aaron M. Heffington for LIGTT Regional Center, LLC allowed to appear pro hac vice. This entry will serve as authorization for the pro hac participation by the attorney. Western District of Missouri Local Rule 5.1 requires documents to be filed electronically. If pro hac vice counsel has not already done so, counsel is directed to immediately register for a CM/ECF account. This will enable counsel to electronically file documents and receive electronic notification of filings. Please return the original completed ECF Registration Form to 400 E. 9th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. ; This is a TEXT ONLY ENTRY. No document is attached. (Anderson, Christy) (Entered: 07/18/2016)
2016-07-207DESIGNATION of Identity of FOIA Requestors by Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services filed by Jeffrey P. Ray on behalf of Defendants Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.(Attorney Jeffrey P. Ray added to party Jill Eggleston(pty:dft), Attorney Jeffrey P. Ray added to party Leon Rodriguez(pty:dft), Attorney Jeffrey P. Ray added to party United States Citizenship and Immigration Services(pty:dft))(Ray, Jeffrey) (Entered: 07/20/2016)
2016-07-208DISCOVERY DOCUMENT (SEALED) by Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services filed by Jeffrey P. Ray on behalf of Defendants Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B)(Ray, Jeffrey) (Entered: 07/20/2016)
2016-07-289RETURN OF SERVICE of complaint executed by LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. All Plaintiffs. (Heffington, Aaron) (Entered: 07/28/2016)
2016-07-2810RETURN OF SERVICE of complaint executed by LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services served on 7/15/2016, answer due 9/13/2016. (Heffington, Aaron) Modified by the Clerk's Office on 7/29/2016 to correctly reflect 60 day government answer deadline (Houston, Kiambu). (Entered: 07/28/2016)
2016-08-0111RETURN OF SERVICE of complaint executed by LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services served on 7/20/2016, answer due 9/13/2016. (Heffington, Aaron) (Entered: 08/01/2016)
2016-08-0112RETURN OF SERVICE of complaint executed by LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. Leon Rodriguez served on 7/19/2016, answer due 8/9/2016. (Heffington, Aaron) (Entered: 08/01/2016)
2016-08-0113RETURN OF SERVICE of complaint executed by LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. (Heffington, Aaron) (Entered: 08/01/2016)
2016-08-0114Joint MOTION for extension of time to Briefing Schedule filed by Aaron M. Heffington on behalf of LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. Suggestions in opposition/response due by 8/18/2016 unless otherwise directed by the court. (Heffington, Aaron) (Entered: 08/01/2016)
2016-08-0315ORDER granting 14 Joint MOTION for extension of time. The administrative record supporting Defendants' decision at issue in this matter shall be filed under seal on or before 8/8/2016. Plaintiff may amend its Complaint and shall file its Motion for Preliminary Injunction on or before 8/29/2016. Defendants' suggestions in opposition/response shall be filed on or before 9/12/2016. Plaintiff's reply suggestions shall be filed on or before 9/19/16. Signed on August 3, 2016 by District Judge Roseann Ketchmark. (Moore, Terri) (Entered: 08/03/2016)
2016-08-0516MOTION to withdraw as attorney filed by Aaron M. Heffington on behalf of LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. Suggestions in opposition/response due by 8/22/2016 unless otherwise directed by the court. (Heffington, Aaron) (Entered: 08/05/2016)
2016-08-0817ORDER denying 16 motion to withdraw as attorney. Signed on 8/8/16 by District Judge Roseann Ketchmark. (Mitchell, Lisa) (Entered: 08/08/2016)
2016-08-0818DISCOVERY DOCUMENT (SEALED) by Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services re 15 Order on Motion for Extension of Time,, filed by Jeffrey P. Ray on behalf of Defendants Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Related document: 15 Order on Motion for Extension of Time,,. (Attachments: # 1 Administrative Record [Part 1])(Ray, Jeffrey) (Entered: 08/08/2016)
2016-08-0919DISCOVERY DOCUMENT (SEALED) by Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services re 15 Order on Motion for Extension of Time,, filed by Jeffrey P. Ray on behalf of Defendants Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Related document: 15 Order on Motion for Extension of Time,,. (Attachments: # 1 Administrative Record (Part II))(Ray, Jeffrey) (Entered: 08/09/2016)
2016-08-0920DISCOVERY DOCUMENT (SEALED) by Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services re 15 Order on Motion for Extension of Time,, filed by Jeffrey P. Ray on behalf of Defendants Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Related document: 15 Order on Motion for Extension of Time,,. (Attachments: # 1 Administartive Record (Part III))(Ray, Jeffrey) (Entered: 08/09/2016)
2016-08-0921DISCOVERY DOCUMENT (SEALED) by Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services re 15 Order on Motion for Extension of Time,, filed by Jeffrey P. Ray on behalf of Defendants Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Related document: 15 Order on Motion for Extension of Time,,. (Attachments: # 1 Administrative Record (Part IV))(Ray, Jeffrey) (Entered: 08/09/2016)
2016-08-2922AMENDED COMPLAINT for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against All Defendants filed by Aaron M. Heffington on behalf of LIGTT Regional Center, LLC.(Heffington, Aaron) (Entered: 08/29/2016)
2016-08-2923MOTION for preliminary injunction filed by Aaron M. Heffington on behalf of LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. Suggestions in opposition/response due by 9/15/2016 unless otherwise directed by the court. (Heffington, Aaron) (Entered: 08/29/2016)
2016-08-2924SUGGESTIONS in support re 23 MOTION for preliminary injunction filed by Aaron M. Heffington on behalf of Plaintiff LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. (Related document(s) 23 ) (Heffington, Aaron) (Entered: 08/29/2016)
2016-09-0225MOTION to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction filed by Jeffrey P. Ray on behalf of Jill Eggleston, Leon Rodriguez, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Suggestions in opposition/response due by 9/19/2016 unless otherwise directed by the court. (Ray, Jeffrey) (Entered: 09/02/2016)
2016-09-0726RESPONSE to motion re 25 MOTION to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction filed by Aaron M. Heffington on behalf of Plaintiff LIGTT Regional Center, LLC. Reply suggestions due by 9/26/2016 unless otherwise directed by the court (Heffington, Aaron) (Entered: 09/07/2016)
2016-09-0827ORDER finding as moot 23 Motion for preliminary injunction; granting 25 motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. Signed on 9/8/16 by District Judge Roseann Ketchmark. (Mitchell, Lisa) (Entered: 09/08/2016)
2016-09-0928CLERK'S JUDGMENT (Moore, Terri) (Entered: 09/09/2016)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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