Case: A. v. Noem

3:26-cv-30031 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: Feb. 27, 2026

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

On February 27, 2026, private plaintiffs, International Institute of New England, and Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director of ICE, Todd Lyons, and the Dir…

On February 27, 2026, private plaintiffs, International Institute of New England, and Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director of ICE, Todd Lyons, and the Director of USCIS, Joseph Edlow. Plaintiffs challenge the Trump-Vance Administration’s policy of subjecting individuals lawfully admitted to the United States as refugees under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to warrantless arrest and indefinite, punitive, and unlawful detention. In their complaint, plaintiffs claim that the Administration is systematically implementing hostile policies targeted at refugees, to terminate their refugee status and expel refugees en masse. Defendants DHS, and its subcomponents USCIS and ICE, have taken agency actions that target refugees.

In their complaint, plaintiffs specifically challenge two agency actions: First, on December 18, 2025, the Acting Executive Associate Director for ICE issued a directive, Rescission of ICE Policy No. 11039.1: Detention of Refugees Admitted Under INA § 207 Who Have Failed to Adjust to Lawful Permanent Resident Status (May 10, 2010). This action rescinded a 2010 Policy prohibiting the detention of refugees solely on the basis that they had not adjusted status. It therefore purported to authorize the detention of all lawfully admitted refugees who have not yet adjusted their status to lawful permanent resident. Second, on February 18, 2026, USCIS and ICE jointly issued a memorandum, “Detention of Refugees Who Have Failed to Adjust to Lawful Permanent Resident Status,” purporting to provide legal justification for rescinding the 2010 Policy and mandating potentially indefinite detention of all unadjusted refugees present for more than one year. Together, these actions comprise a policy of warrantless arrest, unauthorized detention, and coercive interrogation of refugees (the Refugee Detention Policy) that is unlawful. This case arises under the U.S. Constitution; the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”), 5 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; and the INA, 8 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq. and its implementing regulations. 

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Claire Pollard (3/10/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72343601/parties/a-v-noem/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Bressler, Steven Y. (Massachusetts)

Cooper, Ryan (Massachusetts)

Kneedler, Jennie L. (Massachusetts)

Reuveni, Erez R (Massachusetts)

Schellenberg, Kali J. (Massachusetts)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72343601/a-v-noem/

Last updated April 13, 2026, 3:13 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT FOR VACATUR, PRELIMINARY AND PERMANENT INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, AND DECLARATORY RELIEF UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT AND THE CONSTITUTION against United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Kristi Noem, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Joseph B. Edlow, Todd Lyons, United States Department of Homeland Security Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-11578222 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Category Form, # 3 Exhibit 1, # 4 Exhibit 2, # 5 Exhibit 3, # 6 Exhibit 4, # 7 Exhibit 5, # 8 Exhibit 6)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Category Form

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3 Exhibit 1

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4 Exhibit 2

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5 Exhibit 3

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6 Exhibit 4

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7 Exhibit 5

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8 Exhibit 6

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Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 2026

Clearinghouse
2

MOTION for Leave to Proceed Under Pseudonyms by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F.. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support of Motion, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit E, # 7 Exhibit F, # 8 Text of Proposed Order)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

1 Memorandum in Support of Motion

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2 Exhibit A

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3 Exhibit B

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4 Exhibit C

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5 Exhibit D

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6 Exhibit E

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7 Exhibit F

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8 Text of Proposed Order

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Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 2026

3

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Erez Reuveni Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11578676 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 2026

4

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Jennie L. Kneedler Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11578698 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 2026

5

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Ryan Cooper Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11578704 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 2026

6

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Robin F. Thurston Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11578705 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 2026

7

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Steven Y. Bressler Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11578707 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 2026

8

MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 2026

9

MOTION to Stay Under APA Section 705 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum of Law, # 2 Exhibit 1 (Jean A. Dec), # 3 Exhibit 2 (Hamad B. Dec.), # 4 Exhibit 3 (Mona C. Dec.), # 5 Exhibit 4 (Yasmine D. Dec.), # 6 Exhibit 5 (Sam E. Dec.), # 7 Exhibit 6 (Abdo F. Dec.), # 8 Exhibit 7 (Greene Dec.), # 9 Exhibit 8 (Thielman Dec.), # 10 Exhibit 9 (Martin Op.), # 11 Text of Proposed Order)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

1 Memorandum of Law

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2 Exhibit 1 (Jean A. Dec)

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3 Exhibit 2 (Hamad B. Dec.)

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4 Exhibit 3 (Mona C. Dec.)

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5 Exhibit 4 (Yasmine D. Dec.)

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6 Exhibit 5 (Sam E. Dec.)

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7 Exhibit 6 (Abdo F. Dec.)

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8 Exhibit 7 (Greene Dec.)

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9 Exhibit 8 (Thielman Dec.)

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10 Exhibit 9 (Martin Op.)

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11 Text of Proposed Order

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Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 2026

10

NOTICE of Case Assignment. Magistrate Judge Christopher L. Morgan assigned to case. Plaintiff's counsel, or defendant's counsel if this case was initiated by the filing of a Notice of Removal, are required to submit a form indicating whether the parties consent to proceed before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. PROMPT SUBMISSION OF THE COMPLETED FORM IS MANDATORY. The parties are directed to the Notice and Procedures regarding Consent to Proceed before the Magistrate Judge which can be downloaded here. These documents will be mailed to counsel not receiving notice electronically. Pursuant to General Order 26-01, until the Court receives for filing a consent to the Magistrate Judge's jurisdiction, or until a case is reassigned to a District Judge, the initial assignment of a civil case to the Magistrate Judge is a referral to the Magistrate Judge under 28 USC 636(b) for decision on all pretrial non-dispositive matters and for Report and Recommendation on dispositive matters. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

11

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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

12

Magistrate Judge Christopher L. Morgan: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 3 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Erez Reuveni. 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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

13

Magistrate Judge Christopher L. Morgan: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 4 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Jennie L. Kneedler. 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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

14

Magistrate Judge Christopher L. Morgan: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 5 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Ryan Cooper. 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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

15

Magistrate Judge Christopher L. Morgan: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 6 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Robin F. Thurston. 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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

16

Magistrate Judge Christopher L. Morgan: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 7 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Steven Y. Bressler. 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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

17

NOTICE of Appearance by Robin F. Thurston on behalf of Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (Thurston, Robin) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

18

NOTICE of Appearance by Steven Y. Bressler on behalf of Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (Bressler, Steven) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

19

NOTICE of Appearance by Jennie L. Kneedler on behalf of Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (Kneedler, Jennie) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

20

NOTICE of Appearance by Erez R Reuveni on behalf of Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (Reuveni, Erez) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

21

NOTICE of Appearance by Ryan Cooper on behalf of Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (Cooper, Ryan) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

Notice of Case Assignment to a Magistrate Judge

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

22

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Dalia Fuleihan Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11588790 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 03/04/2026)

March 4, 2026

March 4, 2026

23

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Ghita Schwarz Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11588825 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 03/04/2026)

March 4, 2026

March 4, 2026

24

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Guadalupe V. Aguirre Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11588833 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 03/04/2026)

March 4, 2026

March 4, 2026

25

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Kimberly Grano Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11588869 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 03/04/2026)

March 4, 2026

March 4, 2026

26

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Mevlüde Akay Alp Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11588876 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 03/04/2026)

March 4, 2026

March 4, 2026

27

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Pedro Sepulveda Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11588887 by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 03/04/2026)

March 4, 2026

March 4, 2026

28

Refusal to Consent to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge. . (Reuveni, Erez) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

RECAP
29

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Reassignment. Judge Mark G. Mastroianni added. Magistrate Judge Christopher L. Morgan no longer assigned to case. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/06/2026)

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

30

Judge Mark G. Mastroianni: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 22 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Dalia Fuleihan. 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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/06/2026)

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

31

Judge Mark G. Mastroianni: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 23 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Ghita Schwarz. 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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/06/2026)

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

32

Judge Mark G. Mastroianni: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 24 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Guadalupe V. Aguirre. 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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/06/2026)

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

33

Judge Mark G. Mastroianni: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 25 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Kimberly Grano. 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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/06/2026)

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

34

Judge Mark G. Mastroianni: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 26 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Mevlüde Akay Alp. 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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/06/2026)

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

35

Judge Mark G. Mastroianni: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 27 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Pedro Sepulveda. 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. (MPZ) (Entered: 03/06/2026)

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

Notice of Reassignment

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

36

Judge Mark G. Mastroianni: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. Judge Mark G. Mastroianni: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. Following review of Plaintiffs' Complaint (Dkt. No. 1) and Motion for a Stay of Agency Action Under 5 U.S.C. s. 705 (Dkt. No. 9), the court finds this case is subject to random assignment because Plaintiffs challenge the nationwide application of two policy memoranda issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and United States Citizenship and Information Services, both subcomponents of the Department of Homeland Security. Consistent with General Order 25-1, General Order re: Random Assignment of Certain Civil Cases Filed in Central or Western Divisions, the Clerk is directed to reassign the case pursuant to the random district-wide reassignment process without regard to court division.(BAH) (Entered: 03/09/2026)

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

Order

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

37

NOTICE of Appearance by Pedro V. Sepulveda, Jr on behalf of Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (Sepulveda, Pedro) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

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38

NOTICE of Appearance by Guadalupe V. Aguirre on behalf of Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (Aguirre, Guadalupe) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

39

NOTICE of Appearance by Kimberly V. Grano on behalf of Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (Grano, Kimberly) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

40

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to US Attorney by Abdo F., Mona C., International Institute of New England, Hamad B., Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, Jean A., Yasmine D., Sam E.. Joseph B. Edlow served on 3/5/2026, answer due 5/4/2026; Todd Lyons served on 3/5/2026, answer due 5/4/2026; Kristi Noem served on 3/5/2026, answer due 5/4/2026; United States Citizenship and Immigration Services served on 3/5/2026, answer due 5/4/2026; United States Department of Homeland Security served on 3/5/2026, answer due 5/4/2026; United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement served on 3/5/2026, answer due 5/4/2026. (Reuveni, Erez) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

March 11, 2026

March 11, 2026

41

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Abdo F., Mona C., International Institute of New England, Hamad B., Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, Jean A., Yasmine D., Sam E.. (Reuveni, Erez) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

March 11, 2026

March 11, 2026

42

AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE Executed by Abdo F., Mona C., International Institute of New England, Hamad B., Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, Jean A., Yasmine D., Sam E.. Acknowledgement filed by Abdo F., Mona C., International Institute of New England, Hamad B., Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, Jean A., Yasmine D., Sam E.. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Service, # 2 Affidavit of Service, # 3 Affidavit of Service, # 4 Affidavit of Service, # 5 Affidavit of Service)(Reuveni, Erez) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

March 11, 2026

March 11, 2026

43

NOTICE of Appearance by Mevlude Amina Akay Alp on behalf of Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (Akay Alp, Mevlude) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

44

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Reassignment. Judge Richard G. Stearns added. Judge Mark G. Mastroianni no longer assigned to case. (Danieli, Chris) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

Notice of Reassignment

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

45

NOTICE of Appearance by Dalia Hana Fuleihan on behalf of Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (Fuleihan, Dalia) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026

46

Amicus Curiae APPEARANCE entered by Nathan S. Gargan on behalf of HIAS INC.. (Gargan, Nathan) (Entered: 03/19/2026)

March 19, 2026

March 19, 2026

47

MOTION for Leave to File AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF by HIAS INC..(Gargan, Nathan) (Entered: 03/19/2026)

March 19, 2026

March 19, 2026

48

Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting [47] MOTION for Leave to File AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF (CEH)

March 19, 2026

March 19, 2026

49

AMICUS BRIEF filed by HIAS INC. (CEH)

March 19, 2026

March 19, 2026

RECAP

Order on Motion for Leave to File Document

March 19, 2026

March 19, 2026

50

NOTICE by Jean A., Hamad B., Mona C., Yasmine D., Sam E., Abdo F., International Institute of New England, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts re [8] MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages , [9] MOTION to Stay Under APA Section 705, [2] MOTION for Leave to Proceed Under Pseudonyms Failure of Defendants to Timely Respond to Pending Motions for Preliminary and Other Relief (Reuveni, Erez)

March 20, 2026

March 20, 2026

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Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 8 Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages; granting 9 Motion to Stay.On May 10, 2010, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enacted a policy that a refugee's failure "to apply for adjustment of status under [8 U.S.C. § 1159] is not sufficient grounds to place them in removal proceedings, and therefore not a proper basis for detaining them." 2010 Policy [Dkt # 1-5] at 2. In memoranda dated December 18, 2025, and February 18, 2026, ICE purported to terminate the 2010 policy and adopt a new policy mandating the detention of any refugee who fails to apply for adjustment of status at the one-year mark. Plaintiffs seek to stay enforcement of the new policy pursuant to § 705 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). For the following reasons, the court will allow their motion, which defendants have not opposed.Likelihood of success on the merits: Plaintiffs assert that defendant's new policy, which effectively equates "custody" with "detention," is contrary to the law. The court agrees that they are likely to succeed on the merits of this claim. As plaintiffs highlight in their briefing, the term "custody" has not historically been treated as synonymous with the term "detention." Context clues, moreover, compel the conclusion that there is a distinction between the words. The purpose of the "custody" is to ensure an administrative adjustment of status, not to ensure physical presence for removal. And the statute refers to a "return" to "custody." Refugees are not detained upon arrival and thus cannot be "returned" to detention.Irreparable harm: Plaintiffs have established that they face irreparable harm. The individual plaintiffs are at risk of unlawful and unnecessary detention, a quintessential example of irreparable harm. As for the organizational plaintiffs, they argue that the new policy will make it more difficult for them to accomplish their mission and core activities. See Massachusetts v. Nat'l Institutes of Health, 770 F. Supp. 3d 277, 322 (D. Mass. 2025), aff'd, 164 F.4th 1 (1st Cir. 2026) ("[O]bstacles [that] unquestionably make it more difficult for the [plaintiff] to accomplish [its] primary mission... provide injury for purposes... [of] irreparable harm.") (alterations in original), quoting League of Women Voters of United States v. Newby, 838 F.3d 1, 9 (D.C. Cir. 2016). Defendant does not dispute that they face such harm or that it qualifies as "irreparable" in the relevant sense.Balance of Equities and Public Interest: The court need not dwell on the balance of equities and public interest factors. Precedent is clear that "there is a substantial public interest 'in having governmental agencies abide by the federal laws that govern their existence and operations.'" Am. Pub. Health Ass'n v. Nat'l Institutes of Health, 145 F.4th 39, 56 (1st Cir. 2025), quoting Newby, 838 F.3d at 12. Defendants shall not enforce the rescission of the 2010 policy or the adoption of the new policy outlined in the December 18, 2025 and February 18, 2026 memoranda during the pendency of this case (RGS, law3) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

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Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 2 Motion.Although there is a strong presumption against litigants proceeding anonymously, the First Circuit has identified four general categories of cases in which party anonymity may nonetheless be warranted:(1) cases in which disclosure of the would-be Doe's identity would "cause him unusually severe harm"; (2) "cases in which identifying the would-be Doe would harm 'innocent non-parties'"; (3) "cases in which anonymity is necessary to forestall a chilling effect on future litigants who may be similarly situated"; and (4) "suits that are bound up with a prior proceeding made confidential by law."Doe v. Town of Lisbon, 78 F.4th 38, 46 (1st Cir. 2023), quoting Doe v. Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., 46 F.4th 61, 71 (1st Cir. 2022).Here, the court need look no further than the first category. Plaintiffs plausibly allege that they fear retaliation and severe harm if their identities are made public. The court thus will allow the motion to proceed pseudonymously. (RGS, law3) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

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NOTICE of Appearance by Robert E. Richardson on behalf of Joseph B. Edlow, Todd Lyons, Kristi L. Noem, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Richardson, Robert) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

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Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages AND Order on Motion to Stay

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

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NOTICE of Appearance by Nicole M. O'Connor on behalf of Joseph B. Edlow, Todd Lyons, Kristi L. Noem, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (O'Connor, Nicole)

March 27, 2026

March 27, 2026

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NOTICE of Withdrawal of Appearance by Robert E. Richardson (Richardson, Robert)

March 31, 2026

March 31, 2026

RECAP

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: Feb. 27, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are refugees residing within the U.S. and nonprofits assisting refugees.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Democracy Forward

International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Pending

Defendants

Federal

Kristi Noem

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Equal Protection

Other Dockets:

District of Massachusetts 3:26-cv-30031

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

Detention - criteria

Recommended Citation