Case: Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights v. McMahon

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-12061678) filed by ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS, THE DOOR - A CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVES, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons U.S. Department of Education, # 3 Summons Secretary of Education, # 4 Summons U.S. Attorney's Office, # 5 Attorney General)(Early, Cormac) (Entered: 11/04/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Summons U.S. Department of Education

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3 Summons Secretary of Education

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4 Summons U.S. Attorney's Office

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5 Attorney General

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LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS (Early, Cormac) (Entered: 11/04/2025)

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL (Early, Cormac) (Entered: 11/04/2025)

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by THE DOOR - A CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVES, INC. (Early, Cormac) (Entered: 11/04/2025)

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS INSTITUTE, INC. (Early, Cormac) (Entered: 11/04/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Chris Bryant on behalf of AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL, LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS INSTITUTE, INC., ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS, THE DOOR - A CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVES, INC. (Bryant, Chris) (Entered: 11/04/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Daniel A. Zibel on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Zibel, Daniel) (Entered: 11/05/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Eric Rothschild on behalf of AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL, LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS INSTITUTE, INC., ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS, THE DOOR - A CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVES, INC. (Rothschild, Eric) (Entered: 11/05/2025)

SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to LINDA MCMAHON, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zjm) Modified on 11/5/2025 to correct docket text (zjm). (Entered: 11/05/2025)

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Case Assigned to Judge Amir H. Ali. (zjm)

NOTICE of Appearance by Adam R. Pulver on behalf of AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL, LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS INSTITUTE, INC., ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS, THE DOOR - A CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVES, INC. (Pulver, Adam) (Entered: 11/06/2025)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 11/5/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 1/4/2026. (Early, Cormac) (Entered: 11/18/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Heidy L Gonzalez on behalf of All Defendants (Gonzalez, Heidy) (Entered: 11/24/2025)

STIPULATION Regarding Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule by LINDA MCMAHON, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Gonzalez, Heidy) (Entered: 11/24/2025)

1 Text of Proposed Order

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MINUTE ORDER. The court construes the parties' 13 stipulation regarding summary judgment briefing schedule as a motion for briefing schedule. The motion is granted. Defendants shall produce the administrative record to Plaintiffs by January 12, 2026. Plaintiffs shall file any motion for summary judgment by February 9, 2026. Defendants shall file any response to Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment, consolidated with any cross-motion for summary judgment or dismissal, by March 9, 2026. Plaintiffs shall file any reply in support of summary judgment, consolidated with any response to Defendants' cross-motion, by March 30, 2026. Defendants shall file any reply in support of their cross-motion by April 20, 2026. The parties shall file a joint appendix by May 4, 2026. The parties shall file a joint status report within seven days of the court's resolution of summary judgment proposing next steps, including, as appropriate, a timeline for Defendants to file an answer. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 11/26/2025. (lcaha2) Modified on 11/26/2025. (zalh)

Order

Set/Reset Deadlines

Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendants' Cross Motion for Summary Judgment due by 3/9/2026. Plaintiffs' Response to Cross Motion for Summary Judgment due by 3/30/2026. (zalh)

STANDING ORDER. The parties are ordered to comply with the directives set forth in the attached standing order. See document for details. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 12/1/2025. (lcaha2) (Entered: 12/01/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Aaron S. Ament on behalf of AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL, LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS INSTITUTE, INC., ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS, THE DOOR - A CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVES, INC. (Ament, Aaron) (Entered: 12/16/2025)

ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD by LINDA MCMAHON, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Gonzalez, Heidy) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

1 Exhibit A

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MOTION for Summary Judgment by AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL, LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS INSTITUTE, INC., ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS, THE DOOR - A CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVES, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Affidavit Declaration of Babette Perez, # 4 Affidavit Declaration of Jorge Loweree, # 5 Affidavit Declaration of Juan Proao, # 6 Affidavit Declaration of Kelsey Louie)(Early, Cormac) (Entered: 02/09/2026)

1 Memorandum in Support

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2 Text of Proposed Order

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3 Affidavit Declaration of Babette Perez

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4 Affidavit Declaration of Jorge Loweree

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5 Affidavit Declaration of Juan Proao

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6 Affidavit Declaration of Kelsey Louie

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ERRATA corrected table of contents by AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL, LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS INSTITUTE, INC., ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS, THE DOOR - A CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVES, INC. re 17 Motion for Summary Judgment,. (Early, Cormac) (Entered: 02/10/2026)

MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by George Washington Law School. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support)(Morrison, Alan) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

1 Memorandum in Support

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MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Nathan A. Maxwell, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12262995. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND, INC., OutFront Minnesota, Equality California, PFLAG Greater Boston, Services and Advocacy for GLBTQ+ Elders (SAGE), NATIONAL WOMENS LAW CENTER, Our Family Coalition. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Nathan A. Maxwell, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing)(Marcus, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Sarah Austin, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12263045. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by Equality California, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND, INC., NATIONAL WOMENS LAW CENTER, Our Family Coalition, OutFront Minnesota, PFLAG Greater Boston, Services and Advocacy for GLBTQ+ Elders (SAGE). (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Sarah Austin, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing)(Marcus, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

1 Affidavit Declaration of Sarah Austin

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2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing

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Consent MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by GLBTQ LEGAL ADVOCATES & DEFENDERS, LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND, INC., OUTFRONT MINNESOTA, EQUALITY CALIFORNIA, PFLAG GREATER BOSTON, SERVICES AND ADVOCACY FOR GLBTQ+ ELDERS (SAGE), NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER, OUR FAMILY COALITION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Proposed Brief, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Marcus, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

1 Exhibit Proposed Brief

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2 Text of Proposed Order

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Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief In Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment by LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW. (Attachments: # 1 [Proposed] Brief of Amicus Curiae the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and American Civil Liberties Union, # 2 [Proposed] Order Granting Leave to File Brief of Amici Curiae)(Jones, Chavis) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Chavis Travon Jones on behalf of LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW (Jones, Chavis) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Sumayya Saleh on behalf of LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW (Saleh, Sumayya) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Michael J. Pillera, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12263241. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order)(Saleh, Sumayya) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Adria Bonillas, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12263246. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order)(Saleh, Sumayya) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Freya Jamison, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12264529. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order)(Saleh, Sumayya) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Joshua D. Rovenger, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12269412. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by EQUALITY CALIFORNIA, GLBTQ LEGAL ADVOCATES & DEFENDERS, LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND, INC., NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER, OUR FAMILY COALITION, OUTFRONT MINNESOTA, PFLAG GREATER BOSTON. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Joshua D. Rovenger, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing)(Marcus, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Leah Watson, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12278837. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order)(Saleh, Sumayya) (Entered: 03/04/2026)

RESPONSE re 17 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by LINDA MCMAHON, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Gonzalez, Heidy) (Entered: 03/09/2026)

1 Text of Proposed Order

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Cross MOTION to Dismiss or in the Alternative for Summary Judgment (see also ECF No. 31 per ECF requirements) by LINDA MCMAHON, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Gonzalez, Heidy) (Entered: 03/09/2026)

1 Text of Proposed Order

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NOTICE of Appearance by Sarah K. Austin on behalf of EQUALITY CALIFORNIA, GLBTQ LEGAL ADVOCATES & DEFENDERS, LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND, INC., NATIONAL WOMENS LAW CENTER, OUR FAMILY COALITION, OUTFRONT MINNESOTA, PFLAG GREATER BOSTON, SERVICES AND ADVOCACY FOR GLBTQ+ ELDERS (SAGE) (Austin, Sarah) (Main Document 33 replaced on 3/16/2026) (mg). (Entered: 03/13/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Rovenger on behalf of EQUALITY CALIFORNIA, GLBTQ LEGAL ADVOCATES & DEFENDERS, LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND, INC., NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER, OUR FAMILY COALITION, OUTFRONT MINNESOTA, PFLAG GREATER BOSTON, SERVICES AND ADVOCACY FOR GLBTQ+ ELDERS (SAGE) (Rovenger, Joshua) (Main Document 34 replaced on 3/16/2026) (mg). (Entered: 03/13/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Nathan Maxwell on behalf of Equality California, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND, INC., NATIONAL WOMENS LAW CENTER, Our Family Coalition, OutFront Minnesota, PFLAG Greater Boston, Services and Advocacy for GLBTQ+ Elders (SAGE) (Maxwell, Nathan) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

MINUTE ORDER granting 26 motion for leave to appear pro hac vice. Attorney Michael J. Pillera is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 3/13/2026. (lcaha2)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

MINUTE ORDER granting 20 motion for leave to appear pro hac vice. Attorney Nathan A. Maxwell is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 3/13/2026. (lcaha2)

MINUTE ORDER granting 27 motion for leave to appear pro hac vice. Attorney Adria Bonillas is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 3/13/2026. (lcaha2)

MINUTE ORDER granting 21 motion for leave to appear pro hac vice. Attorney Sarah K. Austin is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 3/13/2026. (lcaha2)

MINUTE ORDER granting 29 motion for leave to appear pro hac vice. Attorney Joshua D. Rovenger is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 3/13/2026. (lcaha2)

MINUTE ORDER granting 30 motion for leave to appear pro hac vice. Attorney Leah Watson is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 3/13/2026. (lcaha2)

MINUTE ORDER. The court is in receipt of the 28 motion for leave of attorney Freya Jamison to appear pro hac vice. Under the comment to Local Civil Rule 83.2(c)(2), "as a general matter, attorneys who engage in the practice of law from an office located in the District of Columbia and who file papers in this Court should be a member of the Bar of this Court and the District of Columbia Bar." The motion represents that Jamison practices from an office located in the District of Columbia and is admitted to the District of Columbia Bar. ECF No. 28 at 2. But the declaration indicates that Jamison is not a member of the District of Columbia Bar. ECF No. 28-1 at 1. Accordingly, the 28 motion is denied without prejudice. The court will grant pro hac vice admission if Jamison clarifies that she is a member of the District of Columbia bar, or submits an application for admission to that bar. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 3/17/2026. (lcaha2)

MINUTE ORDER. The court is in receipt of the 28 motion for leave to appear pro hac vice for attorney Freya Jamison. Under the comment to Local Civil Rule 83.2(c)(2), "as a general matter, attorneys who engage in the practice of law from an office located in the District of Columbia and who file papers in this Court should be a member of the Bar of this Court and the District of Columbia Bar." The motion represents that Jamison practices from an office located in the District of Columbia and is admitted to the District of Columbia Bar. ECF No. 28 at 2. But the declaration indicates that Jamison is not a member of the District of Columbia Bar. ECF No. 28-1 at 1. Accordingly, the 28 motion is denied without prejudice. The court will grant pro hac vice admission if Jamison clarifies that she is a member of the District of Columbia bar, or submits an application for admission to that bar. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 3/17/2026. (lcaha2) Modified on 3/23/2026. (zalh)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Joseph Pillera on behalf of AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW (Pillera, Michael) (Entered: 03/18/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Adria Jasmine Bonillas on behalf of AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW (Bonillas, Adria) (Entered: 03/18/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Freya Jamison, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12309436. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order)(Saleh, Sumayya) (Entered: 03/19/2026)

MINUTE ORDER granting 38 motion for leave to appear pro hac vice. Attorney Freya Jamison is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 3/23/2026. (lcaha2)

Memorandum in opposition to motion

Reply to opposition to motion