Case: Nemer v. Bondi
1:25-cv-04170 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: Dec. 1, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenges the Department of Justice’s termination of a former immigration judge shortly after the start of the second Trump Administration. The plaintiff alleged that her termination was motivated by her sex, national origin, and political affiliation in violation of Title VII and the First Amendment.
On December 1, 2025, the plaintiff filed suit against the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the U.S. Attorney General in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, represented by both private and public interest counsel, specifically the Washington Litigation Group. The complaint alleged that shortly after the new Trump Administration took office in January 2025, the plaintiff, a dual citizen of the United States and Lebanon, was terminated from her position as an immigration judge in the DOJ’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (“EOIR”) because of her sex and national origin. In her complaint, the plaintiff alleged that two male judges, neither Lebanese, were retained when she was terminated. Further, she noted EOIR hired eleven new permanent immigration judges in October 2025, all of whom were male. According to the complaint, when the plaintiff asked why she was terminated, her supervisors could not provide a reason and acknowledged her positive performance reviews. The plaintiff alleged that her termination was a violation of Title VII because it was based on both her sex and national origin, and violated the First Amendment because it was motivated by her political activity and affiliation with the Democratic Party. The plaintiff sought a declaration that the government had violated her rights, a reinstatement of her position and an order rescinding her termination, front and back pay, a writ of mandamus, injunctive relief, a jury trial, and attorney fees. The case was assigned to District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan.
On April 6, 2026, the defendants moved to dismiss the case. The defendants asserted that the plaintiff relied on conclusory allegations and did not successfully state a viable Title VII or First Amendment claim. Additionally, the defendants argued that the government has broader powers in restricting speech of government employees, particularly when an employee’s speech interferes with the government’s policy and organizational goals. Because the plaintiff was an inferior officer with significant discretion, the defendants maintained that Article II authorized her removal by superior executive branch officials exercising presidential removal authority.
As of June 23, 2026, the court has yet to rule on the motion to dismiss, and briefing remains ongoing.
Summary Authors
Kara Wilczynski (6/26/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71976190/parties/nemer-v-bondi/
Eisenmann, James Matthew (District of Columbia)
Foster, Sydney (District of Columbia)
McClellan, Kathleen (District of Columbia)
Jones, Sian (District of Columbia)
Gorod, Brianne Jenna (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71976190/nemer-v-bondi/
Last updated July 22, 2026, 3:45 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Dec. 1, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The plaintiff is a former immigration judge who was terminated shortly after the Trump Administration took office in January 2025
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
The United States Department of Justice
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-04170
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff
Discrimination Basis:
National origin discrimination
Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):
Affected Sex/Gender(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:
Case Summary of Nemer v. Bondi, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47409/ (last updated 6/26/2026).