Case: Chavarria v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security

1:25-cv-04289 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Dec. 10, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case was filed by a naturalized U.S. citizen who was detained, allegedly without cause, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport when returning from Nicaragua. On December 10, 2025, Plaintiff - a school superintendent and naturalized U.S. citizen since 2018 - filed this lawsuit against the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to challenge the policy behind an allegedly unlawful search and seizure at Bush Intercontinental Airport on his return from visiting family in Nicaragua…

This case was filed by a naturalized U.S. citizen who was detained, allegedly without cause, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport when returning from Nicaragua.

On December 10, 2025, Plaintiff - a school superintendent and naturalized U.S. citizen since 2018 - filed this lawsuit against the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to challenge the policy behind an allegedly unlawful search and seizure at Bush Intercontinental Airport on his return from visiting family in Nicaragua. Plaintiff was separated from his husband at the airport and taken to an isolated screening area, where he was pressured to hand over his electronic devices and told he "had no Fourth Amendment rights at the border." Compl. at 2. The policy, Customs and Border Protection 2018 Directive 3340-049A "Border Searches of Electronic Devices" explicitly authorizes warrantless searches of the type plaintiff was subjected to at the airport. Filing suit under the Fourth Amendment's prohibition on unlawful searches and seizures and 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(B), plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief prohibiting DHS from continuing to search people without cause. This case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Dabney Langhorme Friedrich.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Nick Martire (3/6/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72014766/parties/chavarria-v-us-department-of-homeland-security/

Judge(s)

Friedrich, Dabney Langhorne (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Nixon, Molly (District of Columbia)

Peikoff, Amy (District of Columbia)

Talcott, Johanna B. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Jones, Sian (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Friedrich, Dabney Langhorne (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Nixon, Molly (District of Columbia)

Peikoff, Amy (District of Columbia)

Talcott, Johanna B. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Jones, Sian (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:25-cv-04289	Complaint	Dec. 10, 2025	Dec. 10, 2025 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72014766/chavarria-v-us-department-of-homeland-security/

Last updated Sept. 22, 2026, 4:03 a.m.

Docket for: CHAVARRIA v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Dec. 10, 2025	COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-12126002) filed by WILMER CHAVARRIA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons - Attorney General, # 3 Summons - US Attorney, # 4 Summons - DHS, # 5 Summons - CBP, # 6 Summons - ICE, # 7 Summons - Noem, # 8 Summons - Scott, # 9 Summons - Lyons)(Peikoff, Amy) (Entered: 12/10/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons - Attorney General View on PACER 3 Summons - US Attorney View on PACER 4 Summons - DHS View on PACER 5 Summons - CBP View on PACER 6 Summons - ICE View on PACER 7 Summons - Noem View on PACER 8 Summons - Scott View on PACER 9 Summons - Lyons View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Dec. 10, 2025	SEALED MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE COMPLAINT UNDER SEAL filed by WILMER CHAVARRIA. (Attachments: # 1 Sealed Complaint)(Peikoff, Amy) (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
3	Dec. 10, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Johanna B. Talcott, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12127104. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by WILMER CHAVARRIA. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Exhibit - Certificate of Good Standing)(Peikoff, Amy) (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
4	Dec. 10, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Molly Nixon on behalf of WILMER CHAVARRIA (Nixon, Molly) (Entered: 12/10/2025)	RECAP
5	Dec. 11, 2025	SUMMONS (8) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zhcn) (Entered: 12/11/2025)	RECAP
6	Dec. 11, 2025	STANDARD ORDER for Civil Cases. See text for details. Signed by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on December 11, 2025. (lcdlf3) (Entered: 12/11/2025)	RECAP
8	Dec. 11, 2025	SEALED DOCUMENT filed by WILMER CHAVARRIA. re 1 Complaint,. (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(znmw) (Entered: 12/12/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 11, 2025	Case Assigned/Reassigned
	Dec. 11, 2025	Case Assigned to Judge Dabney L. Friedrich. (zhcn)
	Dec. 11, 2025	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	Dec. 11, 2025	Order on Sealed Motion for Leave to File Document Under Seal
	Dec. 11, 2025	MINUTE ORDER granting the plaintiff's 3 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on December 11, 2025. (lcdlf3)
	Dec. 11, 2025	MINUTE ORDER granting the plaintiff's 2 Sealed Motion for Leave to File Sealed Complaint in accordance with Local Rule 5.1(c)(1). The Clerk of Court is directed to omit the plaintiff's address from the public docket and to file the plaintiff's [2-1] Complaint under seal. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on December 11, 2025. (lcdlf3)
7	Dec. 12, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Johanna B. Talcott on behalf of WILMER CHAVARRIA (Talcott, Johanna) (Entered: 12/12/2025)	RECAP
9	Jan. 6, 2026	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 12/22/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit - Proof of Service)(Peikoff, Amy) (Entered: 01/06/2026)	RECAP
10	Jan. 6, 2026	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 12/22/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 2/20/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit - Proof of Service)(Peikoff, Amy) (Entered: 01/06/2026)	RECAP
11	Jan. 6, 2026	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. TODD LYONS served on 12/22/2025; KRISTI L. NOEM served on 12/22/2025; RODNEY S. SCOTT served on 12/22/2025; U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION served on 12/22/2025; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY served on 12/22/2025; U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT served on 12/22/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit - Proof of Service on Defendant DHS, # 2 Exhibit - Proof of Service on Defendant CBP, # 3 Exhibit - Proof of Service on Defendant ICE, # 4 Exhibit - Proof of Service on Defendant Noem, # 5 Exhibit - Proof of Service on Defendant Scott, # 6 Exhibit - Proof of Service on Defendant Lyons)(Peikoff, Amy) (Entered: 01/06/2026)	RECAP
12	Feb. 12, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Sian Jones on behalf of All Defendants (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 02/12/2026)	RECAP
13	Feb. 17, 2026	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File by TODD LYONS, KRISTI L. NOEM, RODNEY S. SCOTT, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Jones, Sian) (Entered: 02/17/2026) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
	Feb. 17, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File AND Set/Reset Deadlines
	Feb. 17, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting the defendants' 13 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Complaint. Accordingly, the defendants shall answer, move to dismiss, or otherwise respond to the plaintiff's complaint on or before April 24, 2026. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on February 17, 2026. (lcdlf3)
14	March 18, 2026	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to WILMER CHAVARRIA. Attorney Molly Nixon terminated. (Nixon, Molly) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	RECAP
15	April 24, 2026	MOTION to Dismiss by TODD LYONS, KRISTI L. NOEM, RODNEY S. SCOTT, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Jones, Sian) (Entered: 04/24/2026) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
16	May 8, 2026	Memorandum in opposition to re 15 MOTION to Dismiss filed by WILMER CHAVARRIA. (Peikoff, Amy) (Entered: 05/08/2026)	RECAP
17	May 8, 2026	Memorandum in opposition to re 15 MOTION to Dismiss, refiled with proposed order filed by WILMER CHAVARRIA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Peikoff, Amy) (Entered: 05/08/2026)	RECAP
18	May 11, 2026	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 15 MOTION to Dismiss by TODD LYONS, KRISTI L. NOEM, RODNEY S. SCOTT, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Jones, Sian) (Entered: 05/11/2026)	RECAP
	May 12, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting the defendants' 18 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File. Accordingly, the defendants shall file a reply in support of their 15 motion to dismiss on or before June 15, 2026. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on May 12, 2026. (lcdlf3)
	May 12, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
19	June 15, 2026	REPLY to opposition to motion re 15 Motion to Dismiss, filed by TODD LYONS, KRISTI L. NOEM, RODNEY S. SCOTT, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 06/15/2026)	RECAP
20	July 2, 2026	Unopposed MOTION to Amend/Correct 1 Complaint, by WILMER CHAVARRIA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Amended Complaint, # 2 Exhibit B - Redlined Amended Complaint, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Peikoff, Amy) (Entered: 07/02/2026)	RECAP
21	July 2, 2026	FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against RODNEY S. SCOTT, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, MARKWAYNE MULLIN, DAVID J. VENTURELLA filed by WILMER CHAVARRIA.(znmw) (Entered: 07/09/2026)	RECAP
	July 2, 2026	Order on Motion to Amend/Correct AND Order on Motion to Dismiss
	July 2, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting the plaintiff's 20 Unopposed Motion for Leave to File Amended Complaint. The Clerk of Court shall docket [20-1] as the plaintiff's Amended Complaint. The defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to the Amended Complaint on or before July 16, 2026. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(3). It is further ORDERED that the defendants' 15 Motion to Dismiss the original complaint is DISMISSED AS MOOT. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on July 2, 2026. (lcdlf3)
22	July 9, 2026	Joint MOTION for Scheduling Order Amended by TODD LYONS, MARKWAYNE MULLIN, KRISTI L. NOEM, RODNEY S. SCOTT, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, DAVID J. VENTURELLA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Jones, Sian) (Entered: 07/09/2026)	RECAP
	July 9, 2026	Order on Motion for Scheduling Order
	July 9, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting the parties' 22 Joint Motion for Amended Briefing Schedule. Accordingly, the following schedule shall govern further proceedings: the defendants shall file any motion to dismiss on or before September 30, 2026; the plaintiff shall file any response on or before October 30, 2026; and the defendants shall file any reply on or before December 1, 2026. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on July 9, 2026. (lcdlf3)
23	Sept. 1, 2026	Notice of Change of Address	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 10, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiff is a U.S. citizen who was detained at an airport without cause.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

United States Department of Homeland Security

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-04289

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Chavarria v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47492/ (last updated 3/6/2026).