Case: Harris County, Texas v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

1:25-cv-01058 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: April 8, 2025

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenges the Trump Administration’s freezing of $10.5 million in federal grant funding to Harris County, Texas for its refugee resettlement programs.  On January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memorandum directing all federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to pause all activities related to the obligation and disbursement of federal financial assistance. OMB rescinded the memorandum on January 29, 2025, but the fe…

This case challenges the Trump Administration’s freezing of $10.5 million in federal grant funding to Harris County, Texas for its refugee resettlement programs. 

On January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memorandum directing all federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to pause all activities related to the obligation and disbursement of federal financial assistance.

OMB rescinded the memorandum on January 29, 2025, but the federal government issued multiple statements indicating that agencies, including HHS, would continue implementing the funding freeze. 

In January 2025, HHS began withholding grant funds from Harris County. On March 21, 2025, HHS released funds only for expenses incurred through January 19, 2025, leaving the County with $1.25 million in unreimbursed costs. 

On April 8, 2025, Harris County filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, before Judge Loren L. AliKhan. The County alleged that HHS's withholding of refugee resettlement funds was an attempt to terminate its programs, violating the separation of powers through the Spending and Appropriations Clauses. Harris County also claimed that HHS's actions violated federal statutes governing refugee funding, as well as the substantive provisions of the Impoundment Control Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.

Harris County sought a declaration that HHS’s withholding of congressionally appropriated refugee resettlement funds is unlawful under the APA and unconstitutional under the separation of powers doctrine. The County also requested that the court set aside HHS's actions, enjoin further efforts to terminate the refugee program, and award attorney's fees.

On April 8, 2025, Harris County filed a motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). On May 19, the parties submitted a joint status report confirming that Harris County had received all outstanding federal grant funding at issue. On June 17, the parties jointly stipulated to dismiss the case without prejudice. 

This case is closed. 

Summary Authors

Emma Vayda (6/23/2025)

Related Cases

National Council of Nonprofits v. Office of Management and Budget, District of District of Columbia (2025)

Pacito v. Trump, Western District of Washington (2025)

Catholic Charities Diocese of Forth Worth, Inc. v. DHHS, District of District of Columbia (2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69860203/parties/harris-county-texas-v-us-department-of-health-and-human-services-dhhs/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Bingham, Tiffany (District of Columbia)

Fombonne, Jonathan (District of Columbia)

Matheson, Eleanor (District of Columbia)

Oishi, Nina Oishi (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Carilli, Joseph F. (District of Columbia)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
7-1

1:25-cv-01058

Memorandum of Law in Support of Plaintiff Harris County's Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
7

1:25-cv-01058

Plaintiff Harris County’s Motion for Temporary Restraining Order

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
1

1:25-cv-01058

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

Complaint
2

1:25-cv-01058

Notice of Related Case

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

Correspondence
11

1:25-cv-01058

Defendants’ Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion for Temporary Restraining Order

April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
17

1:25-cv-01058

Joint Status Report

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
18

1:25-cv-01058

Stipulation of Dismissal

June 17, 2025

June 17, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69860203/harris-county-texas-v-us-department-of-health-and-human-services-dhhs/

Last updated Aug. 21, 2025, 8:50 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS) ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11599474) filed by HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons)(Oishi, Nina) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

3 Summons

View on PACER

4 Summons

View on PACER

5 Summons

View on PACER

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. Case related to Case No. 25-00239. (Oishi, Nina) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

Clearinghouse
3

NOTICE of Appearance by Nina Oishi, I on behalf of HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS (Oishi, Nina) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER
4

NOTICE of Appearance by Jonathan Fombonne on behalf of HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS (Fombonne, Jonathan) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER
5

NOTICE of Appearance by Tiffany Bingham on behalf of HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS (Bingham, Tiffany) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER
6

NOTICE of Appearance by Eleanor Matheson on behalf of HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS (Matheson, Eleanor) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER
7

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Proposed Order)(Oishi, Nina) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

1 Memorandum in Support

View on RECAP

2 Declaration

View on RECAP

3 Proposed Order

View on RECAP

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

Clearinghouse
8

NOTICE of Appearance by Joseph F. Carilli, Jr on behalf of All Defendants (Carilli, Joseph) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER

.Order

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER

Notice of Error- New Case

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER

Order

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER

Case Assigned to Judge Loren L. AliKhan. (zjd)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER

NOTICE OF NEW CASE ERROR regarding 1 Complaint. The following error(s) need correction: Noncompliance with LCvR 5.1(c). Please file a Notice of Errata stating the error and attach the corrected initiating pleading to include the name & full residence address of each party and file using the event Errata. (zjd)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall appear for a video status conference regarding Plaintiff's motion for a temporary restraining order 7 on April 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., via Zoom. Signed by Judge Loren L. AliKhan on 04/08/2025. (lclla1)

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

PACER
10

SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS), U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(mg) (Entered: 04/09/2025)

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

PACER
9

ERRATA by HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS re 1 Complaint,. (Attachments: # 1 Corrected Complaint)(Oishi, Nina) (Entered: 04/09/2025)

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

PACER

Set/Reset Hearings: Status Conference set for 4/9/2025 at 01:00 PM (via Zoom) before Judge Loren L. AliKhan. (mhp)

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

PACER

Set/Reset Hearings

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

PACER

Scheduling Order

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

PACER

Status Conference

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: In light of the scheduling conference held on April 9, 2025, it is hereby ORDERED that the following schedule shall govern briefing on Plaintiff's motion for a temporary restraining order: (1) Defendants shall file their opposition on or before April 10, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.; and (2) Plaintiff shall file its reply, if any, on or before April 11, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall appear for a hearing on the motion for a temporary restraining order on April 11, 2025 at 1:30 p.m., via Zoom. Signed by Judge Loren L. AliKhan on 04/09/2025. (lclla1)

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

PACER

Minute Entry for STATUS CONFERENCE held on 4/9/2025 before Judge Loren L. AliKhan: The matter comes before the court for a scheduling conference on Plaintiff's Motion 7 for a Temporary Restraining Order. Nina Oishi, I, Tiffany Bingham, and Jonathan Fombonne present on behalf of Plaintiff. Joseph F. Carilli, Jr., present on behalf of Defendants. As stated in open court, Defendants' opposition is due on 4/10/2025 by 5 p.m. ET and Plaintiff's reply brief is due on 4/11/2025 by 10:30 a.m. ET. A hearing on the Motion 7 for Temporary Restraining Order ("TRO") is scheduled for 4/11/2025 at 1:30 p.m. ET, via Zoom. Both parties shall have a client representative present or on standby at the TRO Hearing to answer any factual questions that arise. (mhp)

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

PACER
11

Memorandum in opposition to re 7 Motion for TRO filed by ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS). (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Carilli, Joseph) (Entered: 04/10/2025)

1 Exhibit A

View on PACER

April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025

Clearinghouse

.Order

April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: The court will provide access for the public to telephonically attend the hearing. The hearing can be accessed by dialing the Toll Free Number: 833-990-9400 (Meeting ID: 715234770). It is hereby ORDERED that the attendees using the public access telephone line shall adhere to the following: persons remotely accessing court proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting any court proceedings (including those held by telephone or videoconference). Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court-issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the presiding Judge. Signed by Judge Loren L. AliKhan on 04/10/2025. (lclla1)

April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025

PACER
12

REPLY to opposition to motion re 7 Motion for TRO filed by HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Oishi, Nina) (Entered: 04/11/2025)

April 11, 2025

April 11, 2025

PACER

Status Report Order

April 11, 2025

April 11, 2025

PACER

1 - Terminate Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings AND 1 - Terminate Scheduling Order Deadlines AND 1 - Terminate Trial Management Order Deadlines AND Motion Hearing

April 11, 2025

April 11, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: In light of the motions hearing held on April 11, 2025, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendants shall file a status report on or before noon on April 14, 2025, that informs the court of (1) the status of their review of the USCRI grant; (2) whether their review of Harris County's portion of the USCRI grant is segregable from their review of the rest of the grant; and (3) what progress, if any, has been made on the review of the programs listed in Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Worth, Inc. v. Dep't of Health and Human Servs., No. 25-CV-605, ECF No. 20 ¶¶ 15, 17 (Mar. 12, 2025). Signed by Judge Loren L. AliKhan on 04/11/2025. (lclla1)

April 11, 2025

April 11, 2025

PACER

Minute Entry for MOTION HEARING held on 4/11/2025 before Judge Loren L. AliKhan: The matter comes before the court for a Motion Hearing on Plaintiff's Motion 7 for a Temporary Restraining Order ("TRO"). Nina Oishi, I, Tiffany Bingham, Eleanor Matheson, Ericka Brown (public health department representative), and Leah Barton (public health department representative) present on behalf of Plaintiff. Joseph F. Carilli, Jr. and Julia Fuma (DHHS counsel) present on behalf of Defendants. See Minute Order entered on 4/11/2025. (Court Reporter Jeffrey Hook)(mhp)

April 11, 2025

April 11, 2025

PACER
13

STATUS REPORT by ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS). (Carilli, Joseph) (Entered: 04/14/2025)

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

RECAP
14

Supplemental STATUS REPORT by ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS). (Carilli, Joseph) (Entered: 04/14/2025)

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

PACER

Status Report Order

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Defendants' status report 13 and supplemental status report 14, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a joint status report on or before 5:00 p.m. on April 17, 2025, updating the court on the status of Harris County's outstanding requests for payment and proposing next steps in this litigation. Signed by Judge Loren L. AliKhan on 04/15/2025. (lclla1)

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

PACER
15

Joint STATUS REPORT by HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Bingham, Tiffany) (Entered: 04/17/2025)

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

PACER

Notice of Error

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

PACER

NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 15 Status Report. Please note the following error(s) for future filings: Invalid attorney signature- signature on document must match PACER login. Do not refile. (znmw)

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

PACER

Status Report Order

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report 15, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a joint status report on or before May 19, 2025, advising the court on next steps in the litigation. Signed by Judge Loren L. AliKhan on 04/21/2025. (lclla1)

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

PACER
16

NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Jeremy S. Simon on behalf of ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS) Substituting for attorney Joseph F. Carilli, Jr (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

PACER
17

Joint STATUS REPORT by ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS). (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

Clearinghouse

Status Report Order

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report 17, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a joint status report on or before June 18, 2025, advising the court on next steps in the litigation, unless a stipulation of dismissal is filed before then. Signed by Judge Loren L. AliKhan on 05/20/2025. (lclla1)

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

PACER
18

STIPULATION of Dismissal by HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. (Fombonne, Jonathan) (Entered: 06/17/2025)

June 17, 2025

June 17, 2025

RECAP

.Order

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' stipulation of dismissal 18, it is hereby ORDERED that the case is DISMISSED without prejudice. It is further ORDERED that Plaintiff's motion for a temporary retraining order 7 is DENIED as moot. The Clerk of Court is hereby directed to terminate this case. Signed by Judge Loren L. AliKhan on 06/24/2025. (lclla1)

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: District of Columbia

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 (Spending Freezes/Cuts)

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 8, 2025

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Harris County, Texas

Plaintiff Type(s):

City/County Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (- United States (national) -), 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.

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Spending/Appropriations Clauses

Separation of Powers

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.:

Funding

Discrimination Area:

Disparate Treatment

Discrimination Basis:

National origin discrimination

Immigration/Border:

Refugees