Case: National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section v. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

8:25-cv-03675 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Nov. 7, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenges the agency decision that prohibits nongovernmental entities from providing voter registration services on or after naturalization ceremonies. On November 7, 2025, Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Director Joseph B. Edlow, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Secretary Kristi Noem. The complaint challenged a new USCIS policy (Policy Alert No. PA-2025-2…

This case challenges the agency decision that prohibits nongovernmental entities from providing voter registration services on or after naturalization ceremonies.

On November 7, 2025, Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Director Joseph B. Edlow, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Secretary Kristi Noem. The complaint challenged a new USCIS policy (Policy Alert No. PA-2025-21) issued on August 29, 2025, which banned nongovernmental organizations from helping new citizens register to vote at naturalization ceremonies. The plaintiffs allege that the policy is discriminatory and mutes expressive conduct due to the administration's hostility towards nonwhite immigrants exercising their right to vote. The plaintiffs allege that the policy violates free speech under the First Amendment, due process and equal protection under the Fifth Amendment, and the APA. Represented by the Elias Law Group, the Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief.

This case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Zainab Mustafa (11/12/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71891909/parties/national-council-of-jewish-women-greater-new-orleans-section-v-us/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Alerasool, Omeed (Maryland)

Branch, Aria C. (Maryland)

Lallinger, Lucas Wilhelm (Maryland)

Morrison, Tina Meng (Maryland)

Ryan, Katherine Chamblee (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Alerasool, Omeed (Maryland)

Branch, Aria C. (Maryland)

Lallinger, Lucas Wilhelm (Maryland)

Morrison, Tina Meng (Maryland)

Ryan, Katherine Chamblee (Maryland)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 8:25-cv-03675	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	Nov. 7, 2025	Nov. 7, 2025 Complaint

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
Policy Alert; Voter Registration at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies	U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual emphasizing the non-partisan nature of voter registration services offered to new citizens at …	Aug. 29, 2025	Aug. 29, 2025 https://www.uscis.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71891909/national-council-of-jewish-women-greater-new-orleans-section-v-us/

Last updated June 15, 2026, 4:09 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AMDDC-12343751.), filed by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Attachment A, # 3 Attachment B, # 4 Attachment C, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons, # 8 Summons, # 9 Summons)(Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 11/07/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Attachment A View on PACER 3 Attachment B View on PACER 4 Attachment C View on PACER 5 Summons View on PACER 6 Summons View on PACER 7 Summons View on PACER 8 Summons View on PACER 9 Summons View on PACER	Nov. 7, 2025	Nov. 7, 2025 Clearinghouse
2	NOTICE of Appearance by Tina Meng Morrison on behalf of National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section (Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 11/07/2025)	Nov. 7, 2025	Nov. 7, 2025
3	Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section (Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 11/08/2025)	Nov. 7, 2025	Nov. 7, 2025
4	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Aria C. Branch (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-12346869.) by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section(Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 11/10/2025)	Nov. 10, 2025	Nov. 10, 2025
5	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Katie Chamblee-Ryan (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-12346916.) by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section(Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 11/10/2025)	Nov. 10, 2025	Nov. 10, 2025
6	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Lucas Lallinger (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-12346924.) by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section(Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 11/10/2025)	Nov. 10, 2025	Nov. 10, 2025
7	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Omeed Alerasool (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-12346932.) by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section(Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 11/10/2025)	Nov. 10, 2025	Nov. 10, 2025
8	QC NOTICE: 1 Complaint filed by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section was filed missing summons for the U.S. Attorney General. **Please provide summons for the U.S. Attorney General under the "Notices" category, select the "Notice (Other)" event, and link filing to 1 Complaint. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 11/10/2025)	Nov. 10, 2025	Nov. 10, 2025
9	Summons Issued 60 days as to Joseph B. Edlow, Kristi Noem, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Attorney. (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons) (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 11/10/2025)	Nov. 10, 2025	Nov. 10, 2025
10	NOTICE by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section re 1 Complaint, (Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 11/11/2025)	Nov. 11, 2025	Nov. 11, 2025
11	Summons Issued 60 days as to U.S. Attorney General(kk5s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 11/12/2025)	Nov. 12, 2025	Nov. 12, 2025
12	PAPERLESS ORDER granting 4 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Aria C. Branch. Directing attorney Aria C. Branch to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 11/13/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 11/13/2025)	Nov. 13, 2025	Nov. 13, 2025
13	PAPERLESS ORDER granting 5 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Katherine Chamblee Ryan. Directing attorney Katherine Chamblee Ryan to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 11/13/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 11/13/2025)	Nov. 13, 2025	Nov. 13, 2025
14	PAPERLESS ORDER granting 6 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Lucas Wilhelm Lallinger. Directing attorney Lucas Wilhelm Lallinger to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 11/13/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 11/13/2025)	Nov. 13, 2025	Nov. 13, 2025
15	PAPERLESS ORDER granting 7 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Omeed Alerasool. Directing attorney Omeed Alerasool to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 11/13/2025. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 11/13/2025)	Nov. 13, 2025	Nov. 13, 2025
16	SUMMONS Returned Executed by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section. All Defendants.(Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 11/18/2025)	Nov. 18, 2025	Nov. 18, 2025
17	AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants, filed by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section. (Attachments: # 1 Complaint with Amendments Identified)(Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 12/05/2025)	Dec. 5, 2025	Dec. 5, 2025
18	SUMMONS Returned Executed by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section. All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Summons Edlow, # 2 Summons Noem, # 3 Summons USCIS, # 4 Summons Bondi)(Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 12/16/2025)	Dec. 16, 2025	Dec. 16, 2025
19	MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 12/17/2025)	Dec. 17, 2025	Dec. 17, 2025
20	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Appendix, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 12/17/2025)	Dec. 17, 2025	Dec. 17, 2025
21	PAPERLESS ORDER: Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages (ECF No. 19) is GRANTED. Signed by Judge Adam B Abelson on 12/18/2025. (rd3s, Law Clerk) (Entered: 12/18/2025)	Dec. 18, 2025	Dec. 18, 2025
22	NOTICE of Appearance by Ryan Underwood on behalf of All Defendants (Underwood, Ryan) (Entered: 12/19/2025)	Dec. 19, 2025	Dec. 19, 2025
23	MOTION to Consolidate Cases by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 12/23/2025)	Dec. 23, 2025	Dec. 23, 2025
24	Consent MOTION for Leave to File Response Out of Time and for Leave to File Excess Pages by Joseph B. Edlow, Kristi Noem, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Underwood, Ryan) (Entered: 01/07/2026)	Jan. 7, 2026	Jan. 7, 2026
25	ORDER granting Plaintiffs' 23 Motion to Consolidate Cases 25-cv-3777 and 25-cv-3675; directing cases are consolidated under Case No. 25-cv-3777; granting Defendants' 24 Motion for for leave to file out of time Defendants' Response to Plaintiffs Motions for Preliminary Injunction and for leave to file Consolidated Brief; directing Defendants shall file one consolidated response brief to Plaintiffs motions for preliminary injunction of no more than 45 pages on or before January 14, 2026. Signed by Judge Adam B Abelson on 1/8/2026. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/08/2026)	Jan. 8, 2026	Jan. 8, 2026
	THIS IS A CONSOLIDATED CASE. PLEASE DO NOT ELECTRONICALLY FILE OR SPREAD TEXT IN THIS CASE. ALL SUBSEQUENT PLEADINGS ARE TO BE ELECTRONICALLY FILED ONLY IN THE LEAD CASE (25-cv-3777-ABA). (dass, Deputy Clerk)	Jan. 8, 2026	Jan. 8, 2026
26	Motion Hearing held on 3/17/2026 re 20 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section before Judge Adam B Abelson.(Court Reporter: Nadine Bachmann, Courtroom 7D) (cb5s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Maryland

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 7, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are a nongovernmental agency, the New Orleans chapter of National Council of Jewish Women, that provides voter registration resources during and after naturalization ceremonies.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

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

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process: Substantive Due Process

Equal Protection

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

District of Maryland 8:25-cv-03675

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Voting:

Voter registration rules

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section v. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47259/ (last updated 11/12/2025).