Skip to content

Case Detail

[Subscribe to updates]
Case TitleHUMAN RIGHTS WATCH v. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2020cv01001
Date Filed2020-04-16
Date Closed2021-12-08
JudgeJudge Carl J. Nichols
PlaintiffHUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Case DescriptionHuman Rights Watch submitted FOIA requests in 2017 and 2018 to the Department of Homeland Security for records concerning 700 Eritrean nationals subject to removal that were mentioned in a September 13, 2017 press release. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from the agency, HRW filed an administrative appeal. After hearing nothing further, HRW filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Public Interest Fee Waiver, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantDEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Defendant2255
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
US Dept of Homeland Security
Office of the General Counsel
Washington, DC 20528
2255
IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT
500 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20536
DefendantU.S. 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
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2020-04-161COMPLAINT against DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-7030548) filed by HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit Exhibit E, # 7 Exhibit Exhibit F, # 8 Summons ICE, # 9 Summons DHS)(London, Ronald) (Entered: 04/16/2020)
2020-04-17Case Assigned to Judge Carl J. Nichols. (adh, ) (Entered: 04/17/2020)
2020-04-172SUMMONS (2) Issued Electronically as to DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 04/17/2020)
2020-04-173STANDING ORDER. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on April 17, 2020. (lccjn1) (Entered: 04/17/2020)
2020-05-054RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY served on 4/24/2020 (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service Certified Mail)(London, Ronald) Modified on 5/5/2020 to correct serve date (eg). (Entered: 05/05/2020)
2020-05-055RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT served on 4/27/2020 (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service Certified Mail)(London, Ronald) (Entered: 05/05/2020)
2020-06-036REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE U.S. Attorney for the District of Coumbia re 1 Complaint, filed by HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH. Related document: 1 Complaint, filed by HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH.(London, Ronald) (Entered: 06/03/2020)
2020-06-037REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE U.S. Attorney General re 1 Complaint, filed by HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH. Related document: 1 Complaint, filed by HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH.(London, Ronald) (Entered: 06/03/2020)
2020-06-048SUMMONS (2) Issued Electronically as to U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (eg) (Entered: 06/04/2020)
2020-06-119RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 06/10/2020. (Attachments: # 1 USPS Delivery)(London, Ronald) (Entered: 06/11/2020)
2020-06-1110RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 6/5/2020. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 7/5/2020. (London, Ronald) (Entered: 06/11/2020)
2020-07-0611NOTICE of Appearance by Sian Jones on behalf of All Defendants (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 07/06/2020)
2020-07-0612ANSWER to Complaint And Defenses by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.(Jones, Sian) (Entered: 07/06/2020)
2020-07-07MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court in this Freedom of Information Act case are a Complaint and an Answer. The requirements of Local Civil Rule 16.3 and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f) appear to be inapplicable. It is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall confer and file a Joint Status Report on or before July 28, 2020. The Joint Status Report shall address: (1) the status of Plaintiff's FOIA requests; (2) the anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA requests; (3) the anticipated date(s) for release of the documents requested by Plaintiff; (4) whether a motion for stay is likely under Open America v. Watergate Special Prosecution Force , 547 F.2d 605 (D.C. Cir. 1976); (5) the possibility of prioritizing documents responsive to Plaintiff's requests and any discussions regarding whether Plaintiff's requests can be narrowed; and (6) whether the Parties anticipate summary judgment briefing and, if so, a proposed briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on July 7, 2020. (lccjn1) (Entered: 07/07/2020)
2020-07-07Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/28/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 07/07/2020)
2020-07-2813Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 07/28/2020)
2020-07-30MINUTE ORDER. In light of the Parties' 13 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report on or before August 31, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on July 30, 2020. (lccjn1) (Entered: 07/30/2020)
2020-07-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/31/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 07/30/2020)
2020-08-3114Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 08/31/2020)
2020-09-02MINUTE ORDER. In light of the Parties' 14 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report on or before September 30, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on September 2, 2020. (lccjn1) (Entered: 09/02/2020)
2020-09-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/30/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 09/02/2020)
2020-09-3015Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 09/30/2020)
2020-10-05MINUTE ORDER. After review of the Parties' 15 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report on or before October 30, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on October 5, 2020. (lccjn1) (Entered: 10/05/2020)
2020-10-05Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/30/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 10/05/2020)
2020-10-3016Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 10/30/2020)
2020-11-06MINUTE ORDER. After review of the Parties' 16 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report on or before December 2, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on November 6, 2020. (lccjn1) (Entered: 11/06/2020)
2020-11-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/2/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 11/09/2020)
2020-12-0217Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 12/02/2020)
2020-12-04MINUTE ORDER. After review of the Parties' 17 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report on or before January 19, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on December 4, 2020. (lccjn1) (Entered: 12/04/2020)
2020-12-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/19/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 12/04/2020)
2021-01-1918Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 01/19/2021)
2021-01-20MINUTE ORDER. After review of the Parties' 18 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file an additional joint status report by February 18, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on January 20, 2021. (lccjn1) (Entered: 01/20/2021)
2021-01-20Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/18/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 01/21/2021)
2021-02-1819Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 02/18/2021)
2021-03-03MINUTE ORDER. After review of the Parties' 19 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that the Parties shall file an additional joint status report by March 18, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on March 3, 2021. (lccjn1) (Entered: 03/03/2021)
2021-03-0320NOTICE of Appearance by Patrick John Curran, Jr on behalf of HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH (Curran, Patrick) (Entered: 03/03/2021)
2021-03-03Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/18/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 03/04/2021)
2021-03-0421NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH. Attorney Ronald G. London terminated. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curran, Patrick) (Entered: 03/04/2021)
2021-03-1822Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 03/18/2021)
2021-03-2923Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 03/29/2021)
2021-05-1324Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 05/13/2021)
2021-07-1225Joint STATUS REPORT by HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH. (Curran, Patrick) (Entered: 07/12/2021)
2021-08-20MINUTE ORDER. After review of the Parties' 25 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file an additional joint status report by September 13, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on August 20, 2021. (lccjn1) (Entered: 08/20/2021)
2021-08-20Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/13/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 08/20/2021)
2021-09-1326Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 09/13/2021)
2021-09-14MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the 26 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED the Parties submit an additional joint status report on or before October 18, 2021 advising the Court of the status of this matter, including a recommendation for further proceedings, if the Parties have not stipulated to dismissal prior to that date. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on September 14, 2021. (lccjn1) (Entered: 09/14/2021)
2021-09-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/18/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 09/15/2021)
2021-10-1827Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 10/18/2021)
2021-10-19MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the 27 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the Parties submit an additional joint status report by November 19, 2021, if the Parties have not yet stipulated to dismissal. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on October 19, 2021. (lccjn1) (Entered: 10/19/2021)
2021-10-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/19/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 10/20/2021)
2021-11-1928Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 11/19/2021)
2021-11-29MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the 28 Joint Status Report, the Parties shall submit an additional joint status report by December 17, 2021, including a recommendation for further proceedings, if the Parties have not yet stipulated to dismissal. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on November 29, 2021. (lccjn1) (Entered: 11/29/2021)
2021-12-0829STIPULATION of Dismissal by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 12/08/2021)
Hide Docket Events
by FOIA Project Staff
Skip to toolbar