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Case TitleJUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2023cv02964
Date Filed2023-10-05
Date Closed2025-03-26
JudgeJudge Jia M. Cobb
PlaintiffJUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Case DescriptionJudicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the Department of State for records concerning modifications to the eligibility of Hungarian citizens to participate in the in the visa waiver program which went into effect August 1, 2023. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Judicial Watch filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
AppealD.C. Circuit 25-5089
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Opinion/Order [9]
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2023-10-051COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-10400947) filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons U.S. State Dept., # 3 Summons U.S. Attorney, # 4 Summons U.S. Attorney General)(Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 10/05/2023)
2023-10-052LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Main Document 2 replaced on 10/5/2023) (zrtw). (Entered: 10/05/2023)
2023-10-05Case Assigned to Judge Jia M. Cobb. (zrtw) (Entered: 10/05/2023)
2023-10-053SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zrtw) (Entered: 10/05/2023)
2023-11-074RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 10/16/2023. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 11/15/2023.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 10/23/2023., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 10/23/2023 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Cristina Rotaru)(Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 11/07/2023)
2023-11-155NOTICE of Appearance by Dedra Seibel Curteman on behalf of All Defendants (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 11/15/2023)
2023-11-156MOTION to Dismiss by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 11/15/2023)
2023-11-277Memorandum in opposition to re 6 Motion to Dismiss filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 11/27/2023)
2023-12-048REPLY to opposition to motion re 6 MOTION to Dismiss filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 12/04/2023)
2025-03-269MEMORANDUM OPINION re 6 Motion to Dismiss: See document for details. Signed by Judge Jia M. Cobb on March 26, 2025. (lcjmc2) (Entered: 03/26/2025)
2025-03-2610ORDER granting 6 Motion to Dismiss: See document for details. Signed by Judge Jia M. Cobb on March 26, 2025. (lcjmc2) (Entered: 03/26/2025)
2025-03-2611NOTICE OF APPEAL TO DC CIRCUIT COURT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. Filing fee $ 605, receipt number ADCDC-11570065. Fee Status: Fee Paid. Parties have been notified. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 03/26/2025)
2025-03-2712Transmission of the Notice of Appeal, Order Appealed (Memorandum Opinion), and Docket Sheet to US Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals fee was paid re 11 Notice of Appeal to DC Circuit Court. (zdp) (Entered: 03/27/2025)
2025-03-27USCA Case Number 25-5089 for 11 Notice of Appeal to DC Circuit Court filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (zdp) (Entered: 03/28/2025)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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