Case: United States v. Borough of Kingston

3:26-cv-00269 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Filed Date: Feb. 4, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case.)

The United States brought this action for declaratory and injunctive relief against the Borough of Kingston. In 2023, Kingston replaced its zoning ordinance with a new ordinance that bars places of worship from opening in any residential district and allows them in commercial districts only as a Special Exception Use and only on parcels of one acre or more. The government alleges this ordinance is a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. Kingston is home to a growing Chabad Orthodox Jewish Community which needs to establish religious facilities within walking distance of their homes.

Summary Authors

Jinan Abufarha (2/7/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72230226/parties/united-states-v-borough-of-kingston/

Judge(s)

Mehalchick, Karoline (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Butler, Michael (Pennsylvania)

Legomsky, Katie (Pennsylvania)

Sacks, Noah D. (Pennsylvania)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

No documents yet available via the Clearinghouse.

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72230226/united-states-v-borough-of-kingston/

Last updated Feb. 13, 2026, 12:06 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Borough of Kingston, filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(klr) (Entered: 02/04/2026)

Feb. 4, 2026

Feb. 4, 2026

2

Consent MOTION to Approve Consent Judgment by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Stipulated Order Consent Order, # 2 Certificate of Concurrence Certificate of Concurrence of Counsel)(Butler, Michael) (Entered: 02/04/2026)

Feb. 4, 2026

Feb. 4, 2026

3

Summons Issued as to Borough of Kingston and provided TO ATTORNEY ELECTRONICALLY VIA ECF for service on Defendant(s)in the manner prescribed by Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (NOTICE TO ATTORNEYS RECEIVING THE SUMMONS ELECTRONICALLY: You must print the summons and the attachment when you receive it in your e-mail and serve the complaint on all defendants in the manner prescribed by Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure). (Attachments: # 1 Summons Packet) (klr) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

Feb. 5, 2026

Feb. 5, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Pennsylvania

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 4, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Middle District of Pennsylvania 3:26-cv-00269

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket