Case: Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

1:26-cv-00132 | U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

Filed Date: March 5, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

[This summary is temporary while we research this case.] On March 5, 2026, a group of nonprofits committed to providing immigration services, filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island against the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), USCIS Director, Joseph Edlow, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and former DHS director, Kristi Noem. Plaintiffs challenge four policies (recently enacted by USCIS with the express goal of intimidating noncitizens livi…

[This summary is temporary while we research this case.]

On March 5, 2026, a group of nonprofits committed to providing immigration services, filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island against the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), USCIS Director, Joseph Edlow, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and former DHS director, Kristi Noem. Plaintiffs challenge four policies (recently enacted by USCIS with the express goal of intimidating noncitizens living in the U.S., making life so unbearable here that they are forced to leave, and, if necessary, manufacturing conditions to remove them from the country. These policies have allegedly flung noncitizens living in the U.S. into an indefinite state of limbo, confusion, and uncertainty. Long-term residents who have waited years to secure a green card now have reason to believe they will never be granted permanent legal status. Laborers face the prospect of losing their work permits, their livelihood, and their ability to provide for their families. And eligible asylum seekers who came to this country fleeing persecution are confronting the likelihood that they will never be granted the refuge they seek.  

This case is ongoing.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72369535/parties/dorcas-international-institute-of-rhode-island-v-united-states-citizenship/


Judge(s)

McConnell, John James (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Romero, Amy Retsinas (Rhode Island)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:26-cv-00132

Complaint - New Case

March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72369535/dorcas-international-institute-of-rhode-island-v-united-states-citizenship/

Last updated March 10, 2026, 2:40 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT ( filing fee paid $ 405.00, receipt number ARIDC-2250908 ), filed by Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, Service Employees International Union, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, Refugee Dream Center, American Gateways, Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, African Communities Together. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A - Nov 27 Memo, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B - Dec 2 Memo, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit C - Jan 1 Memo, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet, # 5 USCIS Summons, # 6 Edlow Summons, # 7 DHS Summons, # 8 Noem Summons, # 9 USAG Summons, # 10 USAO Summons)(Romero, Amy) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

1 Exhibit Exhibit A - Nov 27 Memo

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2 Exhibit Exhibit B - Dec 2 Memo

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3 Exhibit Exhibit C - Jan 1 Memo

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4 Civil Cover Sheet

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5 USCIS Summons

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6 Edlow Summons

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7 DHS Summons

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8 Noem Summons

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9 USAG Summons

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10 USAO Summons

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March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

Clearinghouse
2

CASE OPENING NOTICE ISSUED (Simoncelli, Michael) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

3

Corporate Disclosure Statement by African Communities Together, American Gateways, Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, Refugee Dream Center, Service Employees International Union, Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts. (Romero, Amy) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

4

Summons Issued as to Department of Homeland Security, Joseph Edlow, Kristi Noem, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. (Simoncelli, Michael) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

Case assigned to Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. and Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. (Simoncelli, Michael)

March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

5

Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

6

Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

7

Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

8

Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

9

Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

10

Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

11

Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Rhode Island

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 5, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

District of Rhode Island 1:26-cv-00132

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Recommended Citation