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Case TitleAMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2022cv00355
Date Filed2022-02-09
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Trevor N. McFadden
PlaintiffAMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE
Case DescriptionThe American Center for Law and Justice submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Homeland Security for records concerning border-related human trafficking and exploitation of women and children. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency indicated that it had a backlog that would delay the processing of ACLJ's request. After hearing nothing further from the agency, ACLJ filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
DefendantUNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION
DefendantUNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Complaint attachment 7
Complaint attachment 8
Complaint attachment 9
Complaint attachment 10
Complaint attachment 11
Complaint attachment 12
Complaint attachment 13
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2022-02-091COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-9033637) filed by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, FOIA request to DHS, # 2 Exhibit B, FOIA request to CBP, # 3 Exhibit C, FOIA request to ICE, # 4 Exhibit D, Delivery Confirmations, # 5 Exhibit E, DHS response letter, # 6 Exhibit F, CBP response letter, # 7 Civil Cover Sheet, # 8 Related Case Form, # 9 Summons to Attorney General, # 10 Summons to US Attorney for DC, # 11 Summons to DHS, # 12 Summons to CBP, # 13 Summons to ICE)(Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/09/2022)
2022-02-092LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/09/2022)
2022-02-093NOTICE of Appearance by Benjamin Paul Sisney on behalf of AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/09/2022)
2022-02-094NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE. Case related to Case No. 21-cv-01364-TNM. (znmg) (Entered: 02/10/2022)
2022-02-10Case Assigned to Judge Trevor N. McFadden. (znmg) (Entered: 02/10/2022)
2022-02-105SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(znmg) (Entered: 02/10/2022)
2022-02-106STANDING ORDER Establishing Procedures for Cases Before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. The parties are hereby ORDERED to read and comply with the directives in the attached standing order. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 2/10/22. (lctnm2) (Entered: 02/10/2022)
2022-03-027RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 2/28/2022. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 3/30/2022. (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/02/2022)
2022-03-028RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 02/28/2022. (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/02/2022)
2022-03-029RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION served on 2/28/2022 (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/02/2022)
2022-03-0210RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT served on 2/28/2022 (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/02/2022)
2022-03-0211REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE as to Defendant Department of Homeland Security re 1 Complaint,, filed by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE. Related document: 1 Complaint,, filed by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE.(Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/02/2022)
2022-03-0412SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (zeg) (Entered: 03/04/2022)
2022-03-1813RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY served on 3/10/2022 (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/18/2022)
2022-03-2414NOTICE of Appearance by Anna Lynn Deffebach on behalf of All Defendants (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 03/24/2022)
2022-03-3015ANSWER to Complaint by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.(Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 03/30/2022)
2022-03-30MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court are a complaint and an answer in this FOIA case. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall meet and confer and file a Joint Status Report proposing a schedule for proceeding in this matter. The schedule should address, among other things, the status of Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated date(s) for release of the documents requested by Plaintiff, whether a motion for an Open America stay is likely in this case, whether a Vaughn index will be required in this case, and a briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if required. The parties shall file the schedule on or before April 29, 2022. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 3/30/22. (lctnm3) (Entered: 03/30/2022)
2022-03-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/29/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 03/30/2022)
2022-04-2916Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 04/29/2022)
2022-04-29MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the 16 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file another JSR by May 31, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 4/29/22. (Entered: 04/29/2022)
2022-04-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/31/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 04/29/2022)
2022-05-3117Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 05/31/2022)
2022-05-31MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the 17 Joint Status Report, the Court directs the parties to file another JSR by June 30, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 5/31/22. (lctnm2) (Entered: 05/31/2022)
2022-05-31Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/30/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 05/31/2022)
2022-06-3018Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 06/30/2022)
2022-06-30MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the 18 Joint Status Report, the Court directs the parties to file another JSR by July 29, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 6/30/22. (lctnm2) (Entered: 06/30/2022)
2022-06-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/29/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 06/30/2022)
2022-07-2919Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 07/29/2022)
2022-07-30MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 19 Joint Status Report, the Court directs them to file another JSR by August 31, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 7/30/22. (lctnm2) (Entered: 07/30/2022)
2022-08-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/31/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 08/01/2022)
2022-08-3120Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 08/31/2022)
2022-08-31MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the 20 Joint Status Report, the Court directs the parties to file another JSR by September 30, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 8/31/22. (lctnm2) (Entered: 08/31/2022)
2022-09-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/30/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 09/01/2022)
2022-09-3021Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 09/30/2022)
2022-09-30MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 21 Joint Status Report, the Court directs the parties to file another JSR by October 31, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Trevor N. McFadden on 9/30/2022. (lctnm2) (Entered: 09/30/2022)
2022-09-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/31/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 09/30/2022)
2022-10-3122Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 10/31/2022)
2022-11-01MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 22 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another JSR by November 30, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/1/2022. (lctnm2) (Entered: 11/01/2022)
2022-11-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/30/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 11/01/2022)
2022-11-3023Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 11/30/2022)
2022-12-01MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 23 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another JSR by January 13, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 12/1/2022. (lctnm2) (Entered: 12/01/2022)
2022-12-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/13/2023. (hmc) (Entered: 12/01/2022)
2023-01-1324Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 01/13/2023)
2023-01-13MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 24 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another JSR by February 15, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/13/2023. (lctnm2) (Entered: 01/13/2023)
2023-01-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/15/2023. (ztg) (Entered: 01/13/2023)
2023-02-1525Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 02/15/2023)
2023-02-16MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 25 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another JSR by March 15, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 2/16/2023. (lctnm2) (Entered: 02/16/2023)
2023-02-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/15/2023. (hmc) (Entered: 02/16/2023)
2023-03-1526Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 03/15/2023)
2023-03-15MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 26 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another JSR by April 17, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 3/15/2023. (lctnm2) (Entered: 03/15/2023)
2023-03-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/17/2023. (hmc) (Entered: 03/15/2023)
2023-04-1727Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 04/17/2023)
2023-04-17MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 27 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another JSR by May 15, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 4/17/2023. (lctnm2) (Entered: 04/17/2023)
2023-04-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/15/2023. (hmc) (Entered: 04/17/2023)
2023-05-1528Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 05/15/2023)
2023-05-15MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 28 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another JSR by June 15, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 5/15/2023. (lctnm2) (Entered: 05/15/2023)
2023-05-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/15/2023. (hmc) (Entered: 05/15/2023)
2023-06-1529Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 06/15/2023)
2023-06-15MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 29 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another JSR by July 17, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 6/15/2023. (lctnm2) (Entered: 06/15/2023)
2023-06-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/17/2023. (hmc) (Entered: 06/16/2023)
2023-07-1730Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 07/17/2023)
2023-07-18MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 30 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another JSR by August 15, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 7/18/2023. (lctnm2) (Entered: 07/18/2023)
2023-07-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/15/2023. (hmc) (Entered: 07/18/2023)
2023-08-1531Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 08/15/2023)
2023-08-16MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 31 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another JSR by September 15, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 8/16/2023. (lctnm2) (Entered: 08/16/2023)
2023-09-1532Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 09/15/2023)
2023-09-15MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 32 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another JSR by October 16, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/15/2023. (lctnm2) (Entered: 09/15/2023)
2023-10-1633Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 10/16/2023)
2023-10-16MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 33 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to file another JSR by November 15, 2023, updating the Court on the progress of their resolution efforts and proposing a briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if required. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 10/16/2023. (lctnm2) (Entered: 10/16/2023)
2023-11-1534Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 11/15/2023)
2023-11-16MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 34 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to file another JSR by January 16, 2024, updating the Court on the progress of their resolution efforts and proposing a briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if required. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/16/2023. (lctnm2) (Entered: 11/16/2023)
2024-01-1235Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 01/12/2024)
2024-01-16MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 35 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to file another JSR by February 16, 2024, updating the Court on the progress of their resolution efforts. The Court FURTHER ORDERS that after all productions are complete and before parties propose a briefing schedule for summary judgment motions they shall meet in-person to discuss the sufficiency of Defendants' productions. Any request for a briefing schedule must certify this meeting has occurred and that despite good-faith negotiations, no resolution between the parties is possible. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/16/2024. (lctnm2) (Entered: 01/16/2024)
2024-02-1536Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Deffebach, Anna) (Entered: 02/15/2024)
2024-02-16MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 36 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to file another JSR by March 15, 2024, updating the Court on the progress of their resolution efforts and proposing a briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if required. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 2/16/2024. (lctnm2) (Entered: 02/16/2024)
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