Case: Du v. United States Department of Homeland Security

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $405 receipt number ACTDC-8146032.), filed by Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams.(Blickley, Jaclyn) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

Standing Protective Order Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 04/24/2025. (Kelsey, N) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

Notice of Option to Consent to Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction. (Kelsey, N) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

Standing Order re: Letters. Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 04/24/2025. (Kelsey, N) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

ELECTRONIC SUMMONS ISSUED in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 and LR 4 as to *Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security* with answer to complaint due within *60* days. Attorney *Dan Barrett* *American Civil Liberties Union - CT* *765 Asylum Ave., 1st Floor* *Hartford, CT 06105*. (Kelsey, N) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Elana Spungen Bildner on behalf of Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams (Bildner, Elana) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by James Christopher Llinas on behalf of Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams (Llinas, James) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

ORDER. In order to preserve the jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the case, this court hereby orders that Defendants, their officers, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and all persons acting in concert with them, hereby are ENJOINED from removing Plaintiffs or any of the putative class members from the District of Connecticut, and from deporting any of them from the United States. See e.g., Rodriguez v. Noem et al., (25-cv-616) (Hon. Stefan R. Underhill, J.) at ECF No. 7. This order shall remain in effect until further order of the court. Please see attached for details. The Clerk of Court respectfully is asked to please email a copy of this order to the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 04/24/2025.(Sullivan, M) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Exhibit 8, # 9 Exhibit 9, # 10 Exhibit 10, # 11 Exhibit 11, # 12 Exhibit 12, # 13 Exhibit 13, # 14 Exhibit 14, # 15 Exhibit 15, # 16 Exhibit 16, # 17 Exhibit 17, # 18 Exhibit 18, # 19 Exhibit 19, # 20 Exhibit 20, # 21 Exhibit 21, # 22 Exhibit 22, # 23 Exhibit 23)(Blickley, Jaclyn) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

Emergency MOTION to Certify Class by Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams.Responses due by 5/15/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2)(Blickley, Jaclyn) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

1 Exhibit 1

View on PACER

2 Exhibit 2

View on PACER

NOTICE of Appearance by Jaclyn Marie Blickley on behalf of Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams (Blickley, Jaclyn) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

NOTICE by Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams of Informal Service Upon the Defendants (Blickley, Jaclyn) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

NOTICE by Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams of Related Case (Blickley, Jaclyn) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Dan Barrett on behalf of Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams (Barrett, Dan) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

Order on Pretrial Deadlines: Amended Pleadings due by 6/23/2025; Discovery due by 10/24/2025; Dispositive Motions due by 11/28/2025, Signed by Clerk on 04/24/2025. (Kelsey, N) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

ELECTRONIC FILING ORDER FOR COUNSEL - PLEASE ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH COURTESY COPY REQUIREMENTS IN THIS ORDER Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 04/24/2025. (Kelsey, N) (Entered: 04/24/2025)

Request to Issue Summons

NEW Case Assignment

Request for Clerk to issue summons as to Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Barrett, Dan)

CASE ASSIGNMENT: District Judge Omar A. Williams assigned to the case. If the District Judge issues an Order of Referral to a Magistrate Judge for any matter other than settlement, the matter will be referred to Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson. (Oliver, T.)

ORDER granting Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, ECF No. 2 , as to Plaintiffs Yan Du, Elika Shams, Mengni He, and Stephen Azu. Please see attached order for details. Plaintiff is instructed to serve forthwith the attached temporary r estraining order upon Defendants. A hearing will be held in Courtroom 2, 450 Main Street, Hartford, Connecticut, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10:00 A.M., whereupon Defendants may show cause why the TRO should not be converted into a preliminary injunction. It is so ordered. Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 04/28/2025. (Sullivan, M)

NOTICE OF E-FILED CALENDAR: THIS IS THE ONLY NOTICE COUNSEL/THE PARTIES WILL RECEIVE. ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE COURTHOUSE MUST PRESENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION. Show Cause Hearing set for 5/13/2025 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom Two, 450 Main St., Hartford, CT before Judge Omar A. Williams. (Ferguson, L.) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams. Todd Lyons served on 4/28/2025, answer due 5/19/2025; Kristi Noem served on 4/28/2025, answer due 5/19/2025; United States Department of Homeland Security served on 4/28/2025, answer due 5/19/2025. (Bildner, Elana) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams re 17 Order,, (Bildner, Elana) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

Calendar Entry

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to USA by Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams. Todd Lyons served on 4/28/2025, answer due 6/27/2025; Kristi Noem served on 4/28/2025, answer due 6/27/2025; United States Department of Homeland Security served on 4/28/2025, answer due 6/27/2025. (Kelsey, N) (Entered: 05/01/2025)

NOTICE. Due to a change in the court's availability, the show cause hearing previously scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 13 hereby is moved to 10:00 A.M. on Friday, May 16, 2025. The court sincerely appreciates the understanding of the parties. Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 5/5/2025.(Lewis, D) (Entered: 05/05/2025)

Notice

ORDER. On Friday, May 16, 2025, the parties shall appear before the court to argue whether the terms of the Temporary Restraining Order, see ECF No. 17, should be converted into a preliminary injunction. The court hereby orders the parties to adhere to the following briefing schedule: Defendants shall file a brief in support of their position on or before Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Plaintiffs shall file their reply thereto on or before Thursday, May 15, 2025. Parties shall file a list of witnesses or evidence they intend to present on or before Thursday, May 15, 2025. The Clerk of Court respectfully is asked to please email a copy of this order to the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. It is so ordered. Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 05/08/2025. (Sullivan, M) (Entered: 05/08/2025)

Order

NOTICE of Appearance by Michelle Lynn McConaghy on behalf of Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security (McConaghy, Michelle) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

OBJECTION re 23 Order,,, filed by Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Declaration, # 2 Exhibit B - Declaration)(McConaghy, Michelle) (Entered: 05/12/2025)

NOTICE. The court thanks Defendants for their filing at ECF No. 25 . However, insofar as Defendants argue that conversion into a preliminary injunction of the Temporary Restraining Order at ECF No. 17 is unnecessary because "Plaintiffs are no longer likely to suffer" immediate irreparable harm now that Defendants have reactivated Plaintiffs' SEVIS records, see ECF No. 25 at 2, that position appears to rest on a representation that United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") has "no plans" to repeat its original action on the same original basis, ECF No. 25 at 3. Given the stakes involved and the potential future expenditure of court resources, together with the fact that "Defendants preserve the jurisdictional arguments and other defenses" they intend to assert and maintain, it still seems prudent to proceed with the show cause hearing scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Friday, May 16, 2025. Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 05/12/2025. (Sullivan, M) (Entered: 05/12/2025)

Notice

NOTICE OF E-FILED CALENDAR: THIS IS THE ONLY NOTICE COUNSEL/THE PARTIES WILL RECEIVE. ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE COURTHOUSE MUST PRESENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION. RESET FROM 5/13/2025. Show Cause Hearing set for 5/16/2025 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom Two, 450 Main St., Hartford, CT before Judge Omar A. Williams (Peterson, M) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by John W Larson on behalf of Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security (Larson, John) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

RESPONSE filed by Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6)(Bildner, Elana) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

Calendar Entry

NOTICE by Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security re 27 Calendar Entry, (McConaghy, Michelle) (Entered: 05/16/2025)

RESPONSE re 29 Response Corrected filed by Stephen Azu, Yan Du, Mengni He, Elika Shams. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2 (Corrected/Redacted), # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4 (Corrected/Redacted), # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6)(Bildner, Elana) (Entered: 05/16/2025)

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Omar A. Williams: Show Cause Hearing held on 5/16/2025. Total Time: 1 hour (Court Reporter Catherine Cullen.) (Peterson, M) (Entered: 05/16/2025)

ORDER granting ECF No. 2, Motion for Injunctive Relief, as to Plaintiffs Yan Du, Elika Shams, Mengni He, and Stephen Azu. Please see attached order for details. Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 05/31/2025. (Sullivan, M) (Entered: 05/31/2025)

MOTION for Extension of Time until August 11, 2025, to Respond to 1 Complaint by Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security. (Larson, John) (Entered: 06/24/2025)

ORDER granting ECF No. 34, Motion for Extension of Time. For the reasons stated, good cause exists to grant this motion. Relatedly, the court thanks Defendants for their candor in explaining that in reaching out to opposing counsel, they unintentionally had neglected to specify the length of the extension to be requested. The court finds the request to be reasonable, and also notes that Plaintiffs have not docketed any objection since the instant June 24 motion (which included this explanation) was filed. As such, Defendants shall file a response to the complaint on or before August 11, 2025. Additionally, the motion reports that the parties are engaged in good faith negotiation at this time. Whereas the Clerk's Office assigned a United States Magistrate Judge for matters other than settlement upon initiation of this case, the parties remain free to request referral to a magistrate judge for a settlement conference, should they find that to be helpful. In that event, the court would ask the Clerk's Office to assign a magistrate judge for settlement purposes. It is so ordered. Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 06/26/2025. (Sullivan, M) (Entered: 06/26/2025)

Set/Reset Deadlines as to Responses due by 8/11/2025 (Peterson, M) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time

Set Motion and Rcmd Ruling Deadlines/Hearings

Second MOTION for Extension of Time until October 10, 2025 to Respond to the Complaint by Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security. (McConaghy, Michelle) (Entered: 07/24/2025)

NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 33 Order on Motion for TRO by Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security. (Larson, John) (Entered: 07/30/2025)

CLERK'S CERTIFICATE RE: INDEX AND RECORD ON APPEAL re: 38 Notice of Appeal. The attached docket sheet is hereby certified as the entire Index/Record on Appeal in this matter and electronically sent to the Court of Appeals, with the exception of any manually filed documents as noted below. Dinah Milton Kinney, Clerk. Documents manually filed not included in this transmission: None. (Kelsey, N) (Entered: 07/31/2025)

ORDER granting ECF No. 37, Second Motion for Extension of Time. For the reasons stated, there is good cause to grant this motion. Moreover, counsel for Plaintiffs consents to the extension. Defendants shall file a response to the complaint on or before October 10, 2025. It is so ordered. Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 08/08/2025. (Sullivan, M) (Entered: 08/08/2025)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time

Answer deadline updated for Todd Lyons to 10/10/2025; Kristi Noem to 10/10/2025; United States Department of Homeland Security to 10/10/2025. (Peterson, M)

Update Answer Deadline

TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings: Type of Hearing: Show Cause Hearing. Held on 5/16/2025 before Judge OAW. Court Reporter: Catherine Cullen. IMPORTANT NOTICE - REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: To remove personal identifier information from the transcript, a party must electronically file a Notice of Intent to Request Redaction with the Clerk's Office within seven (7) calendar days of this date. If no such Notice is filed, the court will assume redaction of personal identifiers is not necessary and the transcript will be made available through PACER without redaction 90 days from today's date. The transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. The policy governing the redaction of personal information is located on the court website at www.ctd.uscourts.gov. Redaction Request due 10/15/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 10/27/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 12/23/2025. (Cullen, Catherine) (Entered: 09/24/2025)

Joint MOTION to Stay the Case by Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security.Responses due by 10/24/2025 (McConaghy, Michelle) (Entered: 10/03/2025)

ORDER. The parties having agreed to a "settlement in principle," see ECF No. 42, at 1, the Clerk of Court respectfully is directed to please close this case. Either party may move to reopen the case by November 20, 2025. If the parties wish to file a stipulation of dismissal, they may do so by November 20, 2025. The parties may move to extend the deadlines in this order for good cause by filing a motion in accordance with Rule 7(b) of the District of Connecticut's Local Rules of Civil Procedure. If no stipulation of dismissal is filed, the case will be deemed dismissed with prejudice without any further order of the court. In light of the foregoing, the 42 Joint Motion to Stay is found as moot. It is so ordered. Signed by Judge Omar A. Williams on 10/9/2025. (Karamanakis, K) (Entered: 10/09/2025)

Reopen Case