Case: African Communities Together v. Noem

1:26-cv-10278 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: Jan. 22, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

African Communities Together, a non-profit organization representing African immigrants, along with three individual Ethiopian nationals identified as Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe, and Abal Doe (described as Black men in their 20s-40s who are TPS holders), filed a putative class action lawsuit on January 22, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal defendants. The lawsuit challenged the termination of Temporary Protected Statu…

African Communities Together, a non-profit organization representing African immigrants, along with three individual Ethiopian nationals identified as Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe, and Abal Doe (described as Black men in their 20s-40s who are TPS holders), filed a putative class action lawsuit on January 22, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal defendants. The lawsuit challenged the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which protects certain individuals who are already in the United States from being subjected to immigration confinement within the U.S. and forcibly returned to countries designated unsafe on account of dire country conditions, for Ethiopia. Ethiopia had been designated for TPS in 2022 due to armed conflict and extraordinary conditions including humanitarian crisis, widespread violence, food insecurity, and natural disasters. The plaintiffs alleged that over 5,000 Ethiopian nationals currently held TPS and over 260 had pending applications when Secretary Noem announced the program's termination ("the Termination") on December 15, 2025, with an effective date of February 13, 2026. The complaint asserted that this termination was based on a defective periodic review process that failed to consult appropriate agencies, ignored objective evidence of ongoing dangerous conditions in Ethiopia, and was motivated by discriminatory animus against non-white immigrants. The plaintiffs brought five causes of action under the Administrative Procedure Act and the Fifth Amendment Equal Protection Clause, claiming violations for failure to follow required procedures, arbitrary and capricious decision-making, and constitutional violations. They sought declaratory and injunctive relief to set aside the termination, postpone its effective date, and ensure TPS designation remained in effect unless lawfully terminated.

The case was assigned to District Judge Brian E. Murphy.

On January 25, 2026, plaintiffs filed an emergency motion for an administrative stay of the Termination, requesting that the court "act no later than February 11, 2026, to postpone the effective date of the Termination until such time as the Court can resolve in a final order whether the Termination is unlawful." Plaintiffs reasoned that "absent postponement of the effective date, Ethiopian TPS holders and applicants, including the Doe Plaintiffs, will become subject to immigration confinement, deportation, and other adverse consequences, including the risk of fatal harms once the termination is effective on February 14, 2026." Plaintiffs sought an administrative stay so that the defendants would be compelled to produce the administrative record, allowing the parties to file subsequent briefing based on the record.

After granting defendants an extension to answer plaintiffs' emergency motion, Judge Murphy issued a temporary administrative stay on January 30, 2026, pending a scheduling agreement among the parties.

Despite being ordered to produce the administrative record by February 17, 2026, defendants filed notice of the record on February 25, with a correct version being filed on March 5.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Maddy Ligon (3/13/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72178312/parties/african-communities-together-v-noem/


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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:26-cv-10278

Complaint

Jan. 22, 2026

Jan. 22, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72178312/african-communities-together-v-noem/

Last updated April 10, 2026, 3:23 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States of America, Kristi Noem Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-11492166 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by AFRICAN COMMUNITIES TOGETHER, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Category Form, # 3 Related Case Certification)(Chen, Joy) (Entered: 01/22/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Category Form

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3 Related Case Certification

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Jan. 22, 2026

Jan. 22, 2026

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2

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Mark H. Lynch, Stephen Petkis, Paul Killebrew, Michael E. Cunniff, Ayana M. Lindsey, Sarah Leadem Filing fee: $ 750, receipt number AMADC-11493224 by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Chen, Joy) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

3

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. (JAM) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

4

MOTION For Leave to Proceed Under Pseudonyms by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe.(Chen, Joy) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

5

MEMORANDUM in Support re 4 MOTION For Leave to Proceed Under Pseudonyms filed by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration in Support of Motion, # 2 Exhibit 1 - Declaration of Amaha Kassa, # 3 Exhibit 2 - Declaration of Abal Doe, # 4 Exhibit 3 - Declaration of Samuel Doe, # 5 Exhibit 4 - Declaration of Stephen Doe, # 6 Text of Proposed Order)(Chen, Joy) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

6

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. (CGK) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

7

District Judge Patti B. Saris: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. Pursuant to Local Rule 40.1(g)(8), I find that this case was erroneously designated as related to African Communities Together, et al. v. Noem, et al., No. 25-cv-13939, and direct the Clerk forthwith to randomly reassign this case to another District Judge. (CGK) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

8

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. Judge Brian E. Murphy 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. (JAM) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

9

NOTICE of Appearance by Nargis Aslami on behalf of African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe (Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

10

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Abbey Rutherford Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11495406 by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration in Support)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

11

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Collin Poirot Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11495449 by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration in Support)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

12

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Golnaz Fakhimi Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11495477 by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration in Support)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

13

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Erik Crew Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11495487 by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration in Support)(Aslami, Nargis) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

Notice of Case Assignment

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

Order

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

14

Emergency MOTION for Administrative Stay, Production of the Certified Administrative Record, and Postponement by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe.(Chen, Joy) (Entered: 01/25/2026)

Jan. 25, 2026

Jan. 25, 2026

RECAP
15

MEMORANDUM in Support re 14 Emergency MOTION for Administrative Stay, Production of the Certified Administrative Record, and Postponement filed by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration in Support of Motion, # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Exhibit 2, # 4 Exhibit 3, # 5 Exhibit 4, # 6 Exhibit 5, # 7 Exhibit 6, # 8 Exhibit 7, # 9 Exhibit 8, # 10 Exhibit 9, # 11 Exhibit 10, # 12 Exhibit 11, # 13 Exhibit 12, # 14 Exhibit 13, # 15 Exhibit 14, # 16 Exhibit 15, # 17 Exhibit 16, # 18 Exhibit 17, # 19 Exhibit 18, # 20 Exhibit 19, # 21 Exhibit 20, # 22 Exhibit 21, # 23 Exhibit 22, # 24 Exhibit 23, # 25 Exhibit 24, # 26 Exhibit 25, # 27 Exhibit 26, # 28 Exhibit 27, # 29 Exhibit 28, # 30 Exhibit 29, # 31 Exhibit 30, # 32 Exhibit 31, # 33 Exhibit 32, # 34 Exhibit 33, # 35 Exhibit 34, # 36 Exhibit 35, # 37 Exhibit 36, # 38 Exhibit 37, # 39 Exhibit 38, # 40 Exhibit 39, # 41 Exhibit 40)(Chen, Joy) (Entered: 01/25/2026)

1 Declaration in Support of Motion

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Jan. 25, 2026

Jan. 25, 2026

16

EXHIBIT re 15 Memorandum in Support of Motion,,,, Ex 41. by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 42, # 2 Exhibit 43, # 3 Exhibit 44, # 4 Exhibit 45, # 5 Exhibit 46, # 6 Exhibit 47, # 7 Exhibit 48, # 8 Exhibit 49, # 9 Exhibit 50, # 10 Exhibit 51, # 11 Exhibit 52, # 12 Exhibit 53, # 13 Exhibit 54, # 14 Exhibit 55, # 15 Exhibit 56, # 16 Exhibit 57, # 17 Exhibit 58, # 18 Exhibit 59, # 19 Exhibit 60, # 20 Exhibit 61, # 21 Exhibit 62, # 22 Exhibit 63-1, # 23 Exhibit 63-2, # 24 Exhibit 64-1, # 25 Exhibit 64-2, # 26 Exhibit 64-3, # 27 Exhibit 64-4, # 28 Exhibit 65, # 29 Exhibit 66, # 30 Exhibit 67, # 31 Exhibit 68, # 32 Exhibit 69-1, # 33 Exhibit 69-2, # 34 Exhibit 70-1, # 35 Exhibit 70-2, # 36 Exhibit 71, # 37 Exhibit 72)(Chen, Joy) (Entered: 01/25/2026)

Jan. 25, 2026

Jan. 25, 2026

17

Judge Brian E. Murphy: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 2 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Mark H. Lynch, Stephen Petkis, Paul Killebrew, Michael E. Cunniff, Ayana M. Lindsey, and 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. (CAM) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

18

Judge Brian E. Murphy: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Abbey Rutherford. 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. (CAM) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

19

Judge Brian E. Murphy: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 11 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added 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. (CAM) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

20

Judge Brian E. Murphy: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 12 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. (CAM) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

21

Judge Brian E. Murphy: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Erik Crew. 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. (CAM) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

22

NOTICE by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe re 14 Emergency MOTION for Administrative Stay, Production of the Certified Administrative Record, and Postponement Proposed Order Granting Motion (Chen, Joy) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

23

NOTICE of Appearance by Golnaz Fakhimi on behalf of African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe (Fakhimi, Golnaz) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

24

Judge Brian E. Murphy: SHORT ORDER OF NOTICE...In order for the Court to address the merits of this Emergency Motion 14, the Plaintiff is ORDERED to serve the Complaint, the Emergency Motion for Administrative Stay, Production of the Certified Administrative Record, and Postponement, all related filings and a copy of this Order upon the Defendants no later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. It is further ORDERED that the Defendants shall file a response to the Emergency Motion for Administrative Stay, Production of the Certified Administrative Record, and Postponement no later than 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.NOTICE OF HEARING:A hearing on the Emergency Motion for Administrative Stay, Production of the Certified Administrative Record, and Postponement is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in-person in Courtroom 12.(BIB) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

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NOTICE of Appearance by Abbey Rose Koenning Rutherford on behalf of African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe (Rutherford, Abbey) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

26

NOTICE of Appearance by Stephen Petkis on behalf of African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe (Petkis, Stephen) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

Jan. 27, 2026

Jan. 27, 2026

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NOTICE of Appearance by Ayana M. Lindsey on behalf of African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe (Lindsey, Ayana) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

Jan. 27, 2026

Jan. 27, 2026

28

NOTICE of Appearance by Collin Poirot on behalf of African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe (Poirot, Collin) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

Jan. 27, 2026

Jan. 27, 2026

29

NOTICE of Appearance by Erik Matthew Crew on behalf of African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe (Crew, Erik) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

Jan. 27, 2026

Jan. 27, 2026

30

NOTICE of Appearance by Mark H. Lynch on behalf of African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe (Lynch, Mark) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

Jan. 27, 2026

Jan. 27, 2026

31

Judge Brian E. Murphy: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 4 MOTION For Leave to Proceed Under Pseudonyms. (MBM) (Entered: 01/29/2026)

Jan. 29, 2026

Jan. 29, 2026

32

NOTICE of Appearance by Nicole M. O'Connor on behalf of Kristi Noem, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States of America (O'Connor, Nicole) (Entered: 01/29/2026)

Jan. 29, 2026

Jan. 29, 2026

33

JOINT STATEMENT of counsel Regarding Adjustment of Case Schedule. (Petkis, Stephen) (Entered: 01/29/2026)

Jan. 29, 2026

Jan. 29, 2026

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Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

Jan. 29, 2026

Jan. 29, 2026

34

NOTICE OF HEARING: Scheduling Conference re 33 Joint Position Statement Regarding Adjustment of Case Schedule is set for 1/30/2026 at 12:30 p.m. remotely by Zoom before Judge Brian E. Murphy. (BIB) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

35

CLERK'S NOTES for Scheduling Conference held remotely by Zoom held before Judge Brian E. Murphy: In light of 33 Joint Position Statement Regarding Adjustment of Case Schedule, and after discussing the issues with counsel, the Court GRANTS 14 Emergency Motion for Administrative Stay until further Order of this Court, to provide for the production of the certified administrative record. The parties are to file a Joint Proposed Schedule, no later than February 5, 2026, outlining the time frames for producing the administrative record, the filing of briefs and setting a hearing date. Hearing scheduled for 2/3/2026 is CANCELED and will be rescheduled at a later time. (Court Reporter: Rachel Lopez at raeufp@gmail.com.)(Attorneys present: Petkis, Rutherford, Poirot, Crew, Fakhimi, Cunniff, Aslami, Sud, O'Connor) (BIB) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

36

Judge Brian E. Murphy: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. To preserve the status quo in advance of the Court’s full consideration of the merits of Plaintiffs’ motion (Dkt. 14 ), the effective date of the decision issued on December 15, 2025, and published at 90 Fed. Reg. 58028 to terminate the designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), effective as of 11:59 P.M. on February 13, 2026, is hereby STAYED subject to further 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 Ethiopia’s designation shall continue to apply, including being eligible for work authorization and having protection against deportation and detention based on TPS. The legal consequences of having a pending TPS application based on Ethiopia’s designation shall also continue to apply, including eligibility for work authorization and having protection against deportation based on a pending TPS application. The hearing scheduled for February 3, 2026 is CANCELED and will be rescheduled at a later time. The parties are ordered to confer and submit a Joint Proposed Schedule regarding production of the certified administrative record and a proposed briefing schedule no later than Thursday, February 5, 2026. (MBM) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

Notice of Hearing

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

1 - Terminate Hearings AND Scheduling Conference

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

37

JOINT STATEMENT of counsel with Proposed Schedule. (O'Connor, Nicole) (Entered: 02/04/2026)

Feb. 4, 2026

Feb. 4, 2026

38

Judge Brian E. Murphy: ELECTRONIC SCHEDULING ORDER entered upon the review of the 37 Joint Proposed Schedule, with few modifications.Defendants will produce the Certified Administrative Record by February 17, 2026.Plaintiffs will submit a supplemental opening brief of no more than 15 pages by February 24, 2026.Defendants' opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for Postponement of no more than 30 pages due March 3, 2026.Plaintiffs' reply of no more than 20 pages due March 10, 2026. Reply shall not be redundant of earlier briefs filed and addresses only matters raised which were not reasonably foreseeable. NOTICE OF HEARING:Hearing on the Finalization of the Administrative Record is scheduled for 3/19/2026 at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 12 (In person only) before Judge Brian E. Murphy.(BIB) Modified on 2/5/2026 (BIB). (Entered: 02/05/2026)

Feb. 5, 2026

Feb. 5, 2026

39

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Stephen Doe, Samuel Doe, African Communities Together, Abal Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5)(Petkis, Stephen) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

Feb. 5, 2026

Feb. 5, 2026

40

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to US Attorney by Stephen Doe, Samuel Doe, African Communities Together, Abal Doe. Kristi Noem served on 1/28/2026, answer due 3/30/2026; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services served on 1/28/2026, answer due 3/30/2026; U.S. Department of Homeland Security served on 1/28/2026, answer due 3/30/2026; United States of America served on 1/28/2026, answer due 3/30/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5)(Petkis, Stephen) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

Feb. 5, 2026

Feb. 5, 2026

Order AND ~Util - Set Hearings

Feb. 5, 2026

Feb. 5, 2026

41

NOTICE of Appearance by Sarah Leadem on behalf of African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe (Leadem, Sarah) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

Feb. 24, 2026

Feb. 24, 2026

42

NOTICE of Appearance by Paul Killebrew on behalf of African Communities Together (Killebrew, Paul) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

Feb. 24, 2026

Feb. 24, 2026

43

Supplemental MEMORANDUM in Support re 14 Emergency MOTION for Administrative Stay, Production of the Certified Administrative Record, and Postponement filed by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration in Support, # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Exhibit 2, # 4 Exhibit 3, # 5 Exhibit 4, # 6 Exhibit 5, # 7 Exhibit 6, # 8 Exhibit 7, # 9 Exhibit 8, # 10 Exhibit 9)(Leadem, Sarah) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

1 Declaration in Support

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Feb. 24, 2026

Feb. 24, 2026

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Judge Brian E. Murphy: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. The government is directed to file an electronic copy of the administrative record as soon as possible today. (MBM) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

45

NOTICE by Kristi Noem, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States of America NOTICE OF FILING OF ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit, # 10 Exhibit, # 11 Exhibit, # 12 Exhibit, # 13 Exhibit)(O'Connor, Nicole) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

Order

Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

46

Opposition re 14 Emergency MOTION for Administrative Stay, Production of the Certified Administrative Record, and Postponement filed by Kristi Noem, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States of America. (O'Connor, Nicole) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

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NOTICE by Kristi Noem, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States of America of Filing of Correction to the Administrative Record (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Updated Certification, # 2 Exhibit Corrected Index, # 3 Exhibit Doc 3594-3595)(O'Connor, Nicole) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

1 Exhibit Updated Certification

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3 Exhibit Doc 3594-3595

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March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

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REPLY to Response to 14 Emergency MOTION for Administrative Stay, Production of the Certified Administrative Record, and Postponement filed by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Petkis, Stephen) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

49

NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING HEARING: Hearing on the Finalization of the Administrative Record is RESCHEDULED until 3/26/2026 at 2:15 p.m. in Courtroom 12 (In person only) before Judge Brian E. Murphy. (BIB) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026

Notice of Rescheduling

March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026

50

STATUS REPORT Joint Status Update Regarding Finalization of Administrative Record by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe. (Killebrew, Paul) (Entered: 03/20/2026)

March 20, 2026

March 20, 2026

51

Judge Brian E. Murphy: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered.Parties should be prepared to present argument on Plaintiff’s Motion for Administrative Stay, Dkt. 14, at the hearing scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. (MBM) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

Order

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

52

Assented to MOTION Motion to Excuse Local Counsel from Appearing at March 26, 2026 Hearing by African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe.(Killebrew, Paul) (Entered: 03/24/2026)

March 24, 2026

March 24, 2026

53

Judge Brian E. Murphy: ELECTRONIC ORDER granting 52 Motion Assented to Motion to Excuse Local Counsel from Appearing at March 26, 2026 Hearing. (BIB) (Entered: 03/24/2026)

March 24, 2026

March 24, 2026

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

March 24, 2026

March 24, 2026

54

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael E. Cunniff on behalf of African Communities Together, Abal Doe, Samuel Doe, Stephen Doe (Cunniff, Michael) (Entered: 03/26/2026)

March 26, 2026

March 26, 2026

55

CLERK'S NOTES for Hearing held in-person before Judge Brian E. Murphy: Argument heard on 14 Motion to Postpone February 13, 2026 Effective Date of Agency Action. Motion taken under advisement. (Court Reporter: Jennifer Vaillancourt at jenn.m.vaillancourt@gmail.com.)(Attorneys present: Fakhimi,Aslami,Killebrew, Lynch, Cunniff, AUSA O'Connor) (BIB) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

March 26, 2026

March 26, 2026

Hearing - Other

March 27, 2026

March 27, 2026

56

Judge Brian E. Murphy: ORDER entered. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER on Plaintiffs' Motion for Postponement of Agency Action. Plaintiffs’ motion to postpone the effective date of the termination of Ethiopia’s TPS designation is GRANTED. (MBM) (Entered: 04/08/2026)

April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

RECAP
57

Notice of Appeal

April 9, 2026

April 9, 2026

58

Abbreviated Electronic Appeal Record Sent to USCA

April 9, 2026

April 9, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 22, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

African Communities Together, a non-profit organization representing African immigrants, along with three individual Ethiopian nationals identified, described as Black men in their 20s-40s who are Temporary Protected Status holders.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Muslim Advocates

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Pending

Defendants

Federal

Kristi Noem

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Other Dockets:

District of Massachusetts 1:26-cv-10278

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Stay of government action

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

Status/Classification

Temporary protected status

Recommended Citation