Case: Doe 1 v. Noem

5:25-cv-00847 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: April 5, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case is one of numerous lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of immigration visas—mostly student or work visas—with no notice to the visa-holders and with dubious or no legal basis. You can see all of the cases here. On April 5, 2025, an anonymous international student—attending college in California on an F-1 visa—filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), it…

This case is one of numerous lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of immigration visas—mostly student or work visas—with no notice to the visa-holders and with dubious or no legal basis. You can see all of the cases here.

On April 5, 2025, an anonymous international student—attending college in California on an F-1 visa—filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), its Secretary, and the Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The plaintiff is challenging the defendants' abrupt termination of the plaintiff’s, and other international students’, record with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information (SEVIS), which effectively stripped them of their ability to remain a student in the United States, despite full compliance with F-1 visa requirements and no disqualifying conduct. The plaintiff alleged that the defendants' actions were unlawful and designed to coerce them and other international students, particularly from African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and Asian backgrounds, into “self-deporting.” Specifically, the plaintiff alleges that the defendants’ actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the Fifth Amendment by stripping them of their procedural due process rights. They seek declaratory relief, restoration of their SEVIS record and status, and an order vacating DHS’s actions. The case was assigned to District Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Nicole Brigstock (4/22/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69849575/parties/student-doe-1-v-kristi-noem/


Judge(s)

Sykes, Sunshine Suzanne (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Alrabe, Khaled (California)

Lai, Anne (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Farrell, Alexander Layne (California)

Green, Paul Bartholomew (California)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

5:25-cv-00847

Complaint

April 5, 2025

April 5, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69849575/student-doe-1-v-kristi-noem/

Last updated Aug. 21, 2025, 9:21 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT Receipt No: ACACDC-39451196 - Fee: $405, filed by Plaintiff Student Doe # 1. (Attorney Stacy Eva Tolchin added to party Student Doe # 1(pty:pla))(Tolchin, Stacy) (Entered: 04/05/2025)

April 5, 2025

April 5, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

CIVIL COVER SHEET filed by Plaintiff Student Doe # 1. (Tolchin, Stacy) (Entered: 04/05/2025)

April 5, 2025

April 5, 2025

PACER
3

Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 filed by Plaintiff Student Doe # 1. (Tolchin, Stacy) (Entered: 04/05/2025)

April 5, 2025

April 5, 2025

PACER
4

NOTICE of Appearance filed by attorney Khaled Alrabe on behalf of Plaintiff Student Doe # 1 (Attorney Khaled Alrabe added to party Student Doe # 1(pty:pla))(Alrabe, Khaled) (Entered: 04/05/2025)

April 5, 2025

April 5, 2025

PACER
10

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Anne Lai counsel for Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1. Adding Anne Lai as counsel of record for Student Doe #1 for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Plaintiff Student Doe #1. (Attorney Anne Lai added to party Student Doe No. 1 (pty:pla))(Lai, Anne) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

RECAP
5

NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by Plaintiff Student Doe # 1, (Tolchin, Stacy) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER
6

NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT to a U.S. Magistrate Judge and Declination of Consent. This case has been randomly assigned to Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym. (sh) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

RECAP
7

NOTICE OF DEFICIENCIES in Request to Issue Summons RE: Summons Request 3 . The following error(s) was found: The date and signature line must be left blank. The summons cannot be issued until this defect has been corrected. Please correct the defect and re-file your request. (sh) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER
8

Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 filed by Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1. (Tolchin, Stacy) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER
9

NOTICE of Related Case(s) filed by Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1. Related Case(s): 2:25-cv-02993; 8:25-cv-00706 (Tolchin, Stacy) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

RECAP
11

60 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 as to Defendants Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. (san) (Entered: 04/09/2025)

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

PACER
12

Declination of Consent form received on 04/09/2025 was submitted within deadline set forth in L.R. 73-2.1. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (kca) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 04/10/2025)

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

PACER
13

NOTICE OF REASSIGNMENT of case from Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym to Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes for all further proceedings. Any discovery matters that may be referred to a Magistrate Judge are assigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge Shashi H. Kewalramani. The case number will now reflect the initials of the transferee Judges 5:25-cv-00847-SSS(SHKx). (ap) (Entered: 04/10/2025)

April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025

PACER

MJDAP Timely Opt-Out

April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025

PACER
14

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Proceed With Pseudonym and For Protective Order/Order Not to Detain filed by Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1. Motion set for hearing on 5/9/2025 at 02:00 PM before Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Stacy Tolchin & Exs A-D, # 2 Proposed Order) (Lai, Anne) (Entered: 04/14/2025)

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

PACER
15

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Alexander Layne Farrell counsel for Defendants Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. Adding Alexander L. Farrell as counsel of record for Kristi Noem, Todd Lyons and Department of Homeland Security for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Defendants Kristi Noem, Todd Lyons and Department of Homeland Security. (Attorney Alexander Layne Farrell added to party Department of Homeland Security(pty:dft), Attorney Alexander Layne Farrell added to party Todd Lyons(pty:dft), Attorney Alexander Layne Farrell added to party Kristi Noem(pty:dft))(Farrell, Alexander) (Entered: 04/16/2025)

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

PACER
16

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Paul Bartholomew Green counsel for Defendants Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. Adding Paul (Bart) Green as counsel of record for Defendants Kristi Noem, Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Defendants Defendants Kristi Noem, Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons. (Attorney Paul Bartholomew Green added to party Department of Homeland Security(pty:dft), Attorney Paul Bartholomew Green added to party Todd Lyons(pty:dft), Attorney Paul Bartholomew Green added to party Kristi Noem(pty:dft))(Green, Paul) (Entered: 04/16/2025)

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

PACER
17

Notice of Errata re Dkt. 14-2 filed by Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order (Corrected))(Lai, Anne) (Entered: 04/16/2025)

1 Proposed Order (Corrected)

View on RECAP

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

RECAP
18

NOTICE TO FILER OF DEFICIENCIES in Electronic Filed Document RE: NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Proceed With Pseudonym and For Protective Order/Order Not to Detain 14 . The following error(s) was/were found: Hearing information is missing, incorrect, or untimely. In response to this notice, the Court may: (1) order an amended or correct document to be filed; (2) order the document stricken; or (3) take other action as the Court deems appropriate. You need not take any action in response to this notice unless and until the Court directs you to do so. (iva) (Entered: 04/17/2025)

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

PACER
19

RESPONSE BY THE COURT TO NOTICE TO FILER OF DEFICIENCIES IN FILED DOCUMENT RE: Deficiency in Filed Documents (G-112A) - optional html form,, 18 by Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes. The motion is hereby STRICKEN for failure to comply with L.R. 6-1. Counsel may file a corrected motion. Counsel is reminded to comply with the Local Rules and this Court's procedures. (iva) (Entered: 04/17/2025)

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

PACER
20

PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1, upon Defendant All Defendants. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon the United States Attorneys Office by delivering a copy to Civil process clerk. Service was executed in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Due diligence declaration NOT attached. Registered or certified mail return receipt attached. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Tolchin, Stacy) (Entered: 04/20/2025)

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

PACER
21

EX PARTE APPLICATION for Temporary Restraining Order as to to Prevent Arrest/Proceed with Student Status/Protective Order filed by Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Declaration Tolchin Dec, # 3 Proof of Service) (Tolchin, Stacy) (Entered: 04/21/2025)

1 Proposed Order

View on RECAP

2 Declaration Tolchin Dec

View on RECAP

3 Proof of Service

View on PACER

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

RECAP
22

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Consolidate Cases, as to 2:25-cv-02993, 8:25-cv-00706, 2:25-cv-03528, filed by Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1. Motion set for hearing on 5/23/2025 at 02:00 PM before Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Stacy Tolchin, # 2 Proposed Order) (Tolchin, Stacy) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

1 Declaration of Stacy Tolchin

View on PACER

2 Proposed Order

View on PACER

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

RECAP
23

EX PARTE APPLICATION to Expedite Briefing Schedule and Hearing on Plaintiff's Motion to Consolidate Related Cases [Dkt. 22] filed by Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Stacy Tolchin, # 2 Proposed Order) (Tolchin, Stacy) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

PACER
24

OPPOSITION re: EX PARTE APPLICATION for Temporary Restraining Order as to to Prevent Arrest/Proceed with Student Status/Protective Order 21 filed by Defendants Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Alexander L. Farrell, # 2 Exhibit 1)(Green, Paul) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

1 Declaration of Alexander L. Farrell

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit 1

View on RECAP

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

RECAP
25

REPLY in support of EX PARTE APPLICATION for Temporary Restraining Order as to to Prevent Arrest/Proceed with Student Status/Protective Order 21 filed by Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration (Supplemental) of Stacy Tolchin & Exs A-C)(Tolchin, Stacy) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

1 Declaration (Supplemental) of Stacy Tolchin & Exs A-C

View on PACER

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

RECAP
26

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S EX PARTE APPLICATION TO ADVANCE BRIEFING DEADLINES AND HEARING DATE RE: MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE RELATED CASES by Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes (DKT. 23 ). Hearing date continued to 5/9/25 at 2:00 P.M. Opposition due 5/2/25. (twdb) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

RECAP
27

MINUTES (IN CHAMBERS) by Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes: ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER (DKT. 21 ). This Order shall be in effect until May 10, 2025. The Court ORDERS Defendants TO SHOW CAUSE as to why a preliminary injunction should not issue. Defendants shall file any response by Friday May 2, 2025, and Plaintiff shall file any reply by noon on Wednesday May 7, 2025. The Court SETS a hearing on whether a preliminary injunction should issue on May 9, 2025 at 2:00P.M., via Zoom videoconference. (twdb) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

RECAP
28

Notice OF SUGGESTION OF MOOTNESS filed by Defendants Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. Supplemental (Farrell, Alexander) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

RECAP
29

NOTICE OF CLERICAL ERROR: Due to clerical error Re: Order on Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, 27 . Document docketed in wrong case. Disregard Minute Order. (iva) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

PACER
30

NOTICE OF CLERICAL ERROR: Due to clerical error Re: Notice of Clerical Error (G-11) 29 : The Notice of Clerical Error (Dkt. 29) was issued inadvertently in this action. The Court's Minute Order at Dkt. 27 is correct. (iva) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

PACER
31

RESPONSE in opposition re: EX PARTE APPLICATION for Temporary Restraining Order as to to Prevent Arrest/Proceed with Student Status/Protective Order 21 / RESPONSE TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE ON ISSUANCE OF PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION 27 filed by Defendants Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A (ICE policy))(Green, Paul) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

PACER
32

OPPOSITION re: NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Consolidate Cases, as to 2:25-cv-02993, 8:25-cv-00706, 2:25-cv-03528, 22 filed by Defendants Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Green, Paul) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

PACER
33

REPLY in support of NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Consolidate Cases, as to 2:25-cv-02993, 8:25-cv-00706, 2:25-cv-03528, 22 filed by Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1. (Alrabe, Khaled) (Entered: 05/05/2025)

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

PACER
34

CIVIL STANDING ORDER by Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes. (iva) (Entered: 05/06/2025)

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

RECAP
35

REPLY in Support of EX PARTE APPLICATION for Temporary Restraining Order as to to Prevent Arrest/Proceed with Student Status/Protective Order 21 Reply to Order to Show Cause Re: Preliminary Injunction 27 filed by Plaintiff Student Doe No. 1. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Khaled Alrabe)(Lai, Anne) (Entered: 05/07/2025)

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

PACER
36

Notice OF DECLARATION OF ANDRE WATSON RE: IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW ICE POLICY filed by Defendants Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Andre Watson)(Green, Paul) (Entered: 05/07/2025)

1 Declaration of Andre Watson

View on RECAP

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

RECAP
37

SCHEDULING NOTICE AND ORDER by Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes: On the Court's own motion, the Court hereby ADVANCES the hearing on the Order to Show Cause Hearing Re: Preliminary Injunction and the Motion to Consolidate (Dkt. 22 ) from May 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., to May 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., via Zoom videoconference. IT IS SO ORDERED. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (iva) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 05/08/2025)

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

PACER

Text Only Scheduling Notice

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

PACER
38

MINUTES OF Show Cause Hearing held before Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes: ZOOM: ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE HEARING RE: PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE (DKT. 22 ). For the reasons stated on the record, the Court declines to impose a preliminary injunction at this time. The Court dissolves the temporary restraining order in place pursuant to this Court's April 25, 2025 Order. [Dkt. 27]. The Court further takes the motion to consolidate under submission. Court Reporter: RS-CS-2. (twdb) (Entered: 05/12/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

PACER
39

FOR COURT USE ONLY: STATISTICAL CORRECTION taking under advisement 22 MOTION to Consolidate Cases (twdb) (Entered: 05/12/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

PACER

Consolidate Cases

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

PACER
40

MINUTES (IN CHAMBERS) by Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes: ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE (DKT. 22 ). Thus, at this time, the Court finds consolidation premature. Accordingly, the Court DENIES the Motion WITHOUT PREJUDICE. SEE DOCUMENT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. (twdb) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

PACER
41

TRANSCRIPT for proceedings held on 05/09/2025. Electronic Court Recorder: ECHO REPORTING, INC., phone number (858) 453-7590. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Electronic Court Recorder before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Notice of Intent to Redact due within 7 days of this date. Redaction Request due 6/9/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 6/20/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 8/18/2025. (yja) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

PACER
42

NOTICE OF FILING TRANSCRIPT filed for proceedings 05/09/2025 re Transcript 41 THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (yja) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 05/19/2025)

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

PACER

Notice of Filing Transcript

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

PACER
43

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss Case filed by Defendants Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. Motion set for hearing on 7/18/2025 at 02:00 PM before Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Paul (Bart) Green, # 2 Exhibit A - SEVIS Notice, # 3 Exhibit B - Declaration of Andre Watson, # 4 Proposed Order) (Green, Paul) (Entered: 06/09/2025)

1 Declaration of Paul (Bart) Green

View on PACER

2 Exhibit A - SEVIS Notice

View on PACER

3 Exhibit B - Declaration of Andre Watson

View on PACER

4 Proposed Order

View on PACER

June 9, 2025

June 9, 2025

RECAP
44

STIPULATION for Order RE: RE-ACTIVATION OF SEVIS RECORD AND DISMISSAL filed by Defendants Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Green, Paul) (Entered: 06/25/2025)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

RECAP
45

ORDER GRANTING STIPULATION RE: RE-ACTIVATION OF SEVIS RECORD AND DISMISSAL by Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes 44 . IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this action is dismissed with prejudice. Each party shall bear its own fees and costs. (Made JS-6. Case Terminated.) (twdb) (Entered: 06/26/2025)

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump 1.0 & 2.0 Immigration Enforcement Order Challenges

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Immigration Enforcement)

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Visa revocation)

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 5, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Student Doe #1 is an international student who resides in and attends college in the Inland Empire.

Attorney Organizations:

National Immigration Project of the NLG

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

United States of America, Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Due Process: Procedural Due Process

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Education

Government services

Retaliation

Discrimination Basis:

Immigration status

National origin discrimination

Race discrimination

Religion discrimination

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

Deportation - judicial review

Deportation - procedure

Status/Classification

Visas - criteria

Visas - procedures