Case: African Communities Together v. Noem

African Communities Together et al. v. Noem et al.

African Communities Together et al. v. Noem et al.

COMPLAINT against Kristi L NOEM, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (USCIS) Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-11435127 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by AFRICAN COMMUNITIES TOGETHER, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Category Form)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Category Form

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ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. District Judge Patti B. Saris assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley. (JKK) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

MOTION Leave To Proceed Under Pseudonym by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Memorandum Of Law In Support Of Motion)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

AFFIDAVIT of Golnaz Fakhimi in Support re 3 MOTION Leave To Proceed Under Pseudonym filed by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Declaration of Mary Doe, # 2 Exhibit Declaration of David Doe, # 3 Exhibit Declaration of Peter Doe, # 4 Exhibit Declaration of Jacob Doe)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Summons Issued as to All Defendants. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service. (LP) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 3 MOTION Leave To Proceed Under Pseudonym. (LP) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

MOTION Postponement Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion, # 2 Certificate of Conferral, # 3 Proposed Order)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

1 Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion

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2 Certificate of Conferral

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3 Proposed Order

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AFFIDAVIT of Golnaz Fakhimi in Support re 7 MOTION Postponement Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 filed by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Ex 1, # 2 Ex 2, # 3 Ex 3, # 4 Ex 4, # 5 Ex 5, # 6 Ex 6-10, # 7 Ex 11-15, # 8 Ex 16-26, # 9 Ex 27-31, # 10 Ex 32, # 11 Ex 33-35, # 12 Ex 36, # 13 Ex 37-43, # 14 Ex 44, # 15 Ex 45-47, # 16 Ex 48-50, # 17 Ex 51-53, # 18 Ex 54-55, # 19 Ex 56-57, # 20 Ex 58-61, # 21 Ex 62-67, # 22 Ex 68 (Part 1), # 23 Ex 68 (Part 2), # 24 Ex 69, # 25 Ex 70-81, # 26 Ex 82-83, # 27 Ex 84 (Part 1), # 28 Ex 84 (Part 2), # 29 Ex 84 (Part 3), # 30 Ex 85 (Part 1), # 31 Ex 85 (Part 2), # 32 Ex 85 (Part 3), # 33 Ex 85 (Part 4), # 34 Ex 85 (Part 5), # 35 Ex 85 (Part 6), # 36 Ex 85 (Part 7), # 37 Ex 86-88, # 38 Ex 89 (Part 1), # 39 Ex 89 (Part 2), # 40 Ex 90 (Part 1), # 41 Ex 90 (Part 2), # 42 Ex 91 (Part 1), # 43 Ex 91 (Part 2), # 44 Ex 92 (Part 1), # 45 Ex 92 (Part 2), # 46 Ex 92 (Part 3), # 47 Ex 92 (Part 4), # 48 Ex 93, # 49 Ex 94-96)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Nargis Aslami on behalf of African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe (Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Golnaz Fakhimi Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number BMADC-11438559 by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Golnaz Fakhimi in Support of Mot. for Admission PHV)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Abbey Rutherford; Collin Poirot Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-11438583 by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit in Support of Admission PHV, # 2 Affidavit in Support of Admission PHV)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Erik Crew Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number BMADC-11438585 by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit in Supp. of Admission PHV)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Michael E. Cunniff Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11438591 by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit in Supp. of Admission PHV, # 2 Text of Proposed Order Granting Admission PHV)(Aslami, Nargis) Modified on 12/24/2025 (LP). (Main Document 13 replaced on 12/26/2025) (MAL). (Attachment 1 replaced on 12/26/2025) (MAL). (Attachment 2 replaced on 12/26/2025) (MAL). (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Notice of Case Assignment

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Paul Killebrew Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11439322 by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Certification in Support of Motion, # 2 Proposed PHV Order)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Sarah Leadem Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11439342 by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Certification in Support of Motion, # 2 Proposed PHV Order)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Ayana M. Lindsey Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11439348 by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Certification in Support of Motion, # 2 Proposed PHV Order)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Mark H. Lynch Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11439363 by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Certification in Support of Motion, # 2 Proposed PHV Order)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Stephen Petkis Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11439377 by African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Certification in Support of Motion, # 2 Proposed PHV Order)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Golnaz Fakhimi. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (LP) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 11 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Abbey Rutherford and Collin Poirot. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (LP) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 12 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Erik Crew. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (LP) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 14 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Paul Killebrew. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (LP) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Hearing.Plaintiff shall serve a copy of the 1 Complaint and 7 Emergency Motion to the Government in advance of the scheduled status conference. Plaintiff shall also serve a copy of this hearing notice as well as dial-in information. Telephone Conference set for 12/26/2025 02:00 PM in Remote Proceeding : Boston before District Judge Angel Kelley. (MAL) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 15 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Sarah Leadem. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (LP) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 16 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Ayana Lindsey. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (LP) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 17 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Mark H. Lynch. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (LP) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 18 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Stephen Petkis. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (LP) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Michael E. Cunniff. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (LP) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

Notice of Hearing

NOTICE of Appearance by Erik Matthew Crew on behalf of African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe (Crew, Erik) (Entered: 12/26/2025)

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Hearing. Telephone Conference set for 12/26/2025 02:00 PM in Remote Proceeding : Boston before District Judge Angel Kelley. *HEARING NOTICE REGENERATED TO REFLECT CORRECT PRESIDING JUDGE*(MAL) (Entered: 12/26/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Golnaz Fakhimi on behalf of African American Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe (Fakhimi, Golnaz) (Entered: 12/26/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Fitzgerald on behalf of Kristi L. Noem, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States of America (Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 12/26/2025)

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before District Judge Angel Kelley: Status Conference held on 12/26/2025 by video conference. The Court heard from the parties briefly on the pending matter. Plaintiffs to file additional briefing re administratively stay/TRO by end of day on December 26, 2025; government to respond by mid-day on December 29, 2025. Oral motion made by Plaintiff to correct lead plaintiff's name; request granted. (Court Reporter: Linda Walsh at lwalshsteno@gmail.com.)(Attorneys present: Fakhimi, Fitzgerald) (MAL) (Entered: 12/26/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Abbey Rose Koenning Rutherford on behalf of African Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe (Rutherford, Abbey) (Entered: 12/26/2025)

Letter/request (non-motion) from Golnaz Fakhimi . (Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 12/26/2025)

Notice of Hearing

Status Conference

RESPONSE TO COURT ORDER by Kristi L. Noem, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States of America re 33 Status Conference,, and Reply to Doc. No. 35. (Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER. For the foregoing reasons and to preserve the status quo in advance of the assigned Judge’s full consideration of the merits, the effective date of the decision issued on November 6, 2025, and published at 90 Fed. Reg 50484 to terminate the designation of Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan, effective as of 12:00 A.M. on January 6, 2026, is hereby STAYED subject to fu rther Order of this Court or higher courts.  During the period of the STAY of the termination, the termination shall be null, void, and of no legal effect.  Thus, the legal consequences of being in TPS status based on South Sudan’s designation shall continue to apply, including being eligible for work authorization and having protection against deportation and detention based on TPS status.  The legal consequences of having a pending TPS application based on South Sudan’s designation shall also continue to apply, including eligibility for work authorization and having protection against deportation based on a pending TPS application.SO ORDERED.(CEH)

NOTICE of Appearance by Ayana M. Lindsey on behalf of African Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe (Lindsey, Ayana) (Entered: 12/31/2025)

ELECTRONIC NOTICE Setting Hearing on Motion 7 MOTION Postponement Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 : Motion Hearing set for 1/15/2026 11:00 AM in Courtroom 19 (In person only) before District Judge Patti B. Saris. (LP) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Notice Setting or Resetting Hearing on Motion

NOTICE of Appearance by Stephen Petkis on behalf of African Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe (Petkis, Stephen) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by Kristi L. Noem, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States of America.(Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered ALLOWED re 41 Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages by Kristi L. Noem, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States of America. Counsel using the Electronic Case Filing System should now file the document for which leave to file has been granted in accordance with the CM/ECF Administrative Procedures. Counsel must include - Leave to file granted on (date of order)- in the caption of the document. (CGK) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages

Opposition re 7 MOTION Postponement Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 filed by Kristi L. Noem, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States of America. (Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages for Reply Brief by African Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe.(Petkis, Stephen) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered ALLOWED re 44 Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages for Reply Brief by African Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. Counsel using the Electronic Case Filing System should now file the document for which leave to file has been granted in accordance with the CM/ECF Administrative Procedures. Counsel must include - Leave to file granted on (date of order)- in the caption of the document. (CGK) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

ELECTRONIC NOTICE RESETTING HEARING ** In person with remote access provided ** on 7 MOTION Postponement Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 : MOTION HEARING SET FOR 1/15/2026 11:00 AM in Courtroom 19 (In person with remote access provided) before District Judge Patti B. Saris. This hearing will be conducted by video conference. Counsel of record will receive a video conference invite at the email registered in CM/ECF. If you have technical or compatibility issues with the technology, please notify the courtroom deputy of the session as soon as possible.Audio access to the hearing may be available to the media and public. Please check the Court schedule. In order to gain access to the hearing, you must sign up at the following address: https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/courtlist.html.For questions regarding access to hearings, you may refer to the general orders and public notices of the Court available on www.mad.uscourts.gov or contact the session here. (CGK) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael E. Cunniff on behalf of African Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe (Cunniff, Michael) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

NOTICE OF CLARIFICATION re 46 Notice of Hearing on Motion. MOTION HEARING on 1/15/2026 11:00 AM will be held IN PERSON . Audio access to the hearing will be available to the media and public. Please check the Court schedule. For questions regarding access to hearings, you may refer to the general orders and public notices of the Court available on www.mad.uscourts.gov or contact the session here. (LP) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

Notice Setting or Resetting Hearing on Motion

Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages

Notice - Other

NOTICE of Appearance by Collin Poirot on behalf of African Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe (Poirot, Collin) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

REPLY to Response to 7 MOTION Postponement Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 filed by African Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Petkis, Stephen) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Paul Killebrew on behalf of African Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe (Killebrew, Paul) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

REPLY to Response to 7 MOTION Postponement Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 [CORRECTED] filed by African Communities Together, David Doe, Jacob Doe, Mary Doe, Peter Doe. (Petkis, Stephen) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before District Judge Patti B. Saris: Motion Hearing held on 1/15/2026 in person.Government to file administrative record by 1/26/26. Parties to submit supplemental briefing within seven days of filing of administrative record.Matters taken under advisement.(Court Reporter: Lee Marzilli at leemarz47@gmail.com.) (MM) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

Motion Hearing

Transcript of Motion Hearing held on January 15, 2026, before Judge Patti B. Saris. The Transcript may be purchased through the Court Reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: Lee Marzilli at leemarz47@gmail.com. Redaction Request due 2/10/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 2/20/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 4/20/2026. (DRK) (Entered: 01/20/2026)

NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm (DRK) (Entered: 01/20/2026)

Notice of Filing of Official Transcript

Notice - Other

Notice of Appearance

Notice - Other

Order