FOIA Activity: 12 New Procedural or Substantive Decisions

We have added 12 decisions of a procedural or substantive nature filed between March 17, 2024 and March 23, 2024. These are associated with 12 FOIA cases pending in federal district court. Note that because there can be delays between the date a decision is made and when it shows up on PACER, this listing includes only decisions that appeared on PACER during this period.

Click on the date to view the full text of the decision. Click on a case title below to view other details for that case, including links to the docket report and complaint.

1. CAN 3:2023cv03110 — Cauich Castillo v. U.S. Customs and Border Protection

   • March 19, 2024: ORDER by Judge Seeborg denying [17] Motion for Attorney Fees. (rslc1, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/19/2024)
2. DC 1:2019cv00879 — JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

   • March 21, 2024: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 3/21/2024. (lccjn3)
3. DC 1:2019cv00928 — PHILLIPS v. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY et al

   • March 22, 2024: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 3/22/2024. (lccjn3)
4. DC 1:2022cv00877 — HETTENA v. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

   • March 22, 2024: MEMORANDUM OPINION re. Order [34] on Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment. Signed by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on 3/22/2024. (lcjeb3)
5. DC 1:2022cv03381 — PROJECT ON GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT, INC. v. U.S. OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL

   • March 19, 2024: MEMORANDUM OPINION regarding the defendant's [13] Motion for Summary Judgment and the plaintiff's [15] Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment. See text for details. Signed by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on March 19, 2024. (lcdlf1)
6. FLM 6:2023cv01515 — Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies, Inc. v. US Department of Education et al

   • March 19, 2024: ORDER granting 26 Motion to Dismiss for Improper Venue. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to transfer this matter to the District Court for the District of Columbia, where venue properly lies pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(B), and close the case. See Order for further details. Signed by Judge Paul G. Byron on 3/19/2024. (ABD)
7. FLM 6:2023cv01695 — Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies, Inc. v. US Department of Education

   • March 19, 2024: ORDER granting 13 Motion to Dismiss for Improper Venue. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to transfer this matter to the District Court for the District of Columbia, where venue properly lies pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(B), and close the case. See Order for further details. Signed by Judge Paul G. Byron on 3/19/2024. (ABD)
8. FLS 1:2021cv21992 — American Federation Of Government Employees Local 527 v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

   • March 18, 2024: ORDER ADOPTING [56] Report and Recommendations; GRANTING [45] Defendant's Renewed Motion for Summary Judgment; DENYING [51] Plaintiff's Renewed Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment; DENYING AS MOOT [27] Plaintiffs Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment. The Clerk of Court is INSTRUCTED to CLOSE this case. All pending motions, if any, are DENIED AS MOOT. Signed by Judge K. Michael Moore on 3/18/2024. See attached document for full details. (mh02)
9. NYS 1:2023cv03983 — Cheng v. Department of Justice et al

   • March 19, 2024: ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS for [44] Report and Recommendations, [33] Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Court ADOPTS Judge Stein's R&R in its enti rety. By March 26, 2024, the Government shall submit a proposed briefing schedule for its summary judgment motion. See R&R at 15. The Clerk of Court is directed to terminate the motion at ECF No. 33 and mail a copy of the R&R and this order to pro se Plaintiff. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Analisa Torres on 3/19/24) (yv)
10. NYS 1:2023cv09363 — New York Legal Assistance Group v. Social Security Administration

    • March 19, 2024: ORDER: The Court telephonic conference scheduled March 20, 2024 at 3:00PM Eastern Time is hereby cancelled. Plaintiff is directed to refile its Amended Complaint, and once filed, the Clerk of the Court is respectfully directed to accept the Amended Complaint. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr on 3/19/2024) (tg)
11. OKW 5:2023cv00097 — Christensen v. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

    • March 22, 2024: ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION. Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment [18] is GRANTED. All Plaintiffs motions are moot and, therefore, DENIED. A separate judgment shall be entered accordingly. Signed by Chief Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti on 3/22/2024. (jee)
12. WAW 2:2023cv01499 — Friedman Rubin PLLP v. United States of America et al

    • March 20, 2024: ORDER. By 5/24/2024, the parties will provide this Court with a status update regarding any resolution, or, alternatively, Plaintiff may file a motion forsummary judgment. Signed by Judge John H. Chun. (SB)