Filed Date: July 29, 2024
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Concerned with the targeting of protesters and communities of color by Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) and fusion centers, the ACLU submitted identical FOIA requests to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the FBI, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on May 21, 2024, seeking records relating to the use of JTTFs and/or fusion centers by those agencies. Due to the respective agencies' lack of timely response to the FOIA requests, the national ACLU and the ACLU of New York filed suit against the DOJ, FBI, and DHS in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on July 29, 2024. The plaintiffs asserted in their complaint that the defendants violated the FOIA statute and corresponding agency regulations by failing to do the following:
The plaintiffs sought relief in the form of an order for the defendants to conduct a thorough search for all responsive records and to immediately process and release the records. The plaintiffs also requested that the court enjoin the defendants from charging the plaintiffs search, review, or duplication fees and to award them their costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.
The case initially was assigned to District Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke, with Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein designated to handle any matters that may be referred. Shortly thereafter, the case was reassigned to District Judge Jed S. Rakoff. The case is ongoing as of November 2024.
Summary Authors
Logan Moore (11/21/2024)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68989957/parties/american-civil-liberties-union-v-department-of-justice/
Rakoff, Jed Saul (New York)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68989957/american-civil-liberties-union-v-department-of-justice/
Last updated Jan. 29, 2025, 11:34 p.m.
State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: July 29, 2024
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
ACLU
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
United States (- United States (national) -), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Basis: