Case: Space Exploration Technologies Corp v. Bell

1:23-cv-00137 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Filed Date: Sept. 15, 2023

Closed Date: March 3, 2025

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Case Summary

This is a case challenging an administrative proceeding brought against SpaceX for alleged discrimination in their hiring practices. On September 15, 2023, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Represented by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, the plaintiffs sued federal officials including Administrative Law Judge Carol Bell, Chief Administrative Hearing Officer James McHenry, and U.S. Attorney General M…

This is a case challenging an administrative proceeding brought against SpaceX for alleged discrimination in their hiring practices.

On September 15, 2023, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Represented by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, the plaintiffs sued federal officials including Administrative Law Judge Carol Bell, Chief Administrative Hearing Officer James McHenry, and U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. The case arose after the Department of Justice's Immigrant and Employee Rights Section filed an administrative complaint on August 23, 2023, which alleged that the Plaintiff discriminated against non-citizens, specifically refugees and asylees, in its hiring process from September 2018 to May 2022 in violation of federal law. The plaintiff denied these allegations and contended it has hired hundreds of non-citizens, asserting that it faces legal mandates under export control laws that impose strict limitations on employment due to the sensitive nature of its technology. The company brought four constitutional claims challenging the administrative proceedings, including violations of the Appointments Clause and the Presidential removal authority, and also claimed violations of Article III, and the Seventh Amendment right to jury trial. The plaintiff sought injunctive relief to halt the administrative proceedings and a declaration that they are unlawful.

This case was assigned to Judge Rolando Olvera.

On September 26, 2023, the plaintiff filed a motion for preliminary injunction.

On November 8, 2023, the court granted in part and denied in part the plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction. The court ruled that the plaintiff has standing to bring its Appointments Clause and removal claims because the court held that the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits of its claim that §1324b violates the Appointments Clause because OCAHO ALJ's decisions are subject to review by the Attorney General. In addition, the court ruled that the plaintiff is likely to obtain the remedy it sought because the unconstitutional provisions of §1324b are not severable, the plaintiff would likely suffer irreparable injury if the administrative proceedings are not enjoined, and the balance of the arms and public interest weigh in the plaintiff's favor. As to the plaintiff's removal claims, the court held that they were not entitled to an injunction because the unconstitutional provisions, if any, are severable. Plaintiff is not entitled to an injunction on its Article II and Seventh Amendment claims because they are unlikely to succeed on the merits of these claims. The court stayed the administrative proceeding: United States of America v. Space Exploration Technologies Corp. d/b/a SpaceX, 2023-B-00082. The court noted that the injunction was to remain in effect until the final disposition of this lawsuit.

On November 1, 2023, the plaintiff filed a motion to file first amended complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief. On November 1, 2023, the court granted the plaintiff's motion. The amended complaint significantly expanded its legal challenge in response to the Department of Justice's (DOJ) October 12, 2023 interim final rule. The amended complaint added an entirely new section detailing how DOJ issued this interim final rule apparently in response to SpaceX's motion for preliminary injunction, which attempted to create Attorney General review of Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decisions under immigration employment discrimination cases. The plaintiff incorporated a new cause of action under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) challenging this interim rule as arbitrary, capricious, contrary to law, and procedurally invalid. The amended complaint also added corresponding relief seeking to have the interim final rule declared unlawful and set aside, while maintaining all original constitutional challenges to the ALJ process itself.

On March 22, 2024, the defendants filed a motion for summary judgment and the following day, the plaintiff filed a cross-motion for summary judgment and opposition to defendants' motion for summary judgment.

On January 19, 2025, the court granted the defendants unopposed motion to stay this case. The court ordered that it would lift the stay after March 10, 2025.

On February 20, 2025, the defendants filed a motion to lift the preliminary injunction for limited purpose. Namely, the defendants requested that the court lift the stay on the administrative proceeding for the sole purpose of allowing the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division to file notice of dismissal with prejudice. The defendants further noted that if the administrative proceeding had been dismissed by the end of the thirty-day period, that the defendants would move to dismiss this case on mootness grounds.
On February 24, 2025, OCAHO issued an order that confirmed that the administrative case was dismissed with prejudice.

On February 28, 2025, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss as moot. Since the administrative proceeding that the plaintiff challenged had been dismissed with prejudice and the plaintiff did not oppose this motion, the defendant argued that this case should be dismissed as moot.
On March 3, 2025, the court granted the defendants' motion and dismissed the case as moot.

As of April 2026, this case is closed.

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Summary Authors

Haleigh Knowles (4/14/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67800148/parties/space-exploration-technologies-corp-v-bell/

Judge(s)

Olvera, Jose Rolando (Texas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Connolly, Charles (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Cholera, Kuntal (Texas)

Liao, Cynthia (Texas)

Lyles, Benjamin Storey (Texas)

Judge(s)

Olvera, Jose Rolando (Texas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Connolly, Charles (Texas)

Tysse, James Edward (Texas)

Warrick, Laura Page (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Cholera, Kuntal (Texas)

Liao, Cynthia (Texas)

Lyles, Benjamin Storey (Texas)

Pineda, Christopher D (Texas)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:23-cv-00137	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Space Exploration Technologies Corp v. Bell et al.	Sept. 15, 2023	Sept. 15, 2023 Complaint
28 1:23-cv-00137	Order Space Exploration Technologies v. Bell	Nov. 8, 2023	Nov. 8, 2023 Order/Opinion 701 F.Supp.3d 626
31 1:23-cv-00137	First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Space Exploration Technologies v. Bell	Nov. 16, 2023	Nov. 16, 2023 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67800148/space-exploration-technologies-corp-v-bell/

Last updated April 14, 2026, 10:52 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against All Defendants (Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ATXSDC-30516966) filed by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet)(Warrick, Laura) (Entered: 09/15/2023) 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet View on RECAP	Sept. 15, 2023	Sept. 15, 2023 Clearinghouse
2	Request for Issuance of Summons as to All Defendants, United States Attorney Southern District of Texas, filed. (Attachments: # 1 Summons - Request for Issuance, # 2 Summons - Request for Issuance, # 3 Summons - Request for Issuance)(Warrick, Laura) (Entered: 09/15/2023) 1 Summons - Request for Issuance View on RECAP 2 Summons - Request for Issuance View on RECAP 3 Summons - Request for Issuance View on RECAP	Sept. 15, 2023	Sept. 15, 2023 RECAP
3	CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, filed.(Warrick, Laura) (Entered: 09/15/2023)	Sept. 15, 2023	Sept. 15, 2023 RECAP
4	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for James Tysse (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-30517325) by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/6/2023. (Warrick, Laura) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/18/2023: # 1 verified status) (DahlilaRodriguez, 1). (Entered: 09/15/2023)	Sept. 15, 2023	Sept. 15, 2023 RECAP
5	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Charles Connolly (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-30517424) by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/6/2023. (Warrick, Laura) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/18/2023: # 1 verified status) (DahlilaRodriguez, 1). (Entered: 09/15/2023)	Sept. 15, 2023	Sept. 15, 2023 RECAP
6	Summons Issued as to 1.) Carol Bell, 2.) Merrick B. Garland, 3.) James McHenry, 4.) U.S. Attorney. Issued summons delivered to plaintiff by NEF, filed. (JenniferLongoria, 1) (Entered: 09/18/2023)	Sept. 18, 2023	Sept. 18, 2023 RECAP
7	NOTICE of Appearance by Kuntal Cholera on behalf of Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. (Cholera, Kuntal) (Entered: 09/26/2023)	Sept. 26, 2023	Sept. 26, 2023 RECAP
8	NOTICE of Appearance by Kuntal Cholera on behalf of Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. (Cholera, Kuntal) (Entered: 09/26/2023)	Sept. 26, 2023	Sept. 26, 2023 RECAP
9	NOTICE of Appearance by Cynthia Liao on behalf of Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. (Liao, Cynthia) (Entered: 09/26/2023)	Sept. 26, 2023	Sept. 26, 2023 RECAP
10	Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Excess PagesMotions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., filed. Motion Docket Date 10/17/2023. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Warrick, Laura) (Entered: 09/26/2023) 1 Proposed Order View on RECAP	Sept. 26, 2023	Sept. 26, 2023 RECAP
11	MOTION for Preliminary InjunctionMotions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., filed. Motion Docket Date 10/17/2023. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Proposed Order)(Warrick, Laura) (Entered: 09/26/2023) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on RECAP 3 Exhibit C View on RECAP 4 Exhibit D View on RECAP 5 Proposed Order View on RECAP	Sept. 26, 2023	Sept. 26, 2023 RECAP
12	ORDER granting 10 Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages.(Signed by Judge Rolando Olvera) Parties notified.(JenniferLongoria, 1) (Entered: 09/28/2023)	Sept. 28, 2023	Sept. 28, 2023 RECAP
13	ORDER granting 4 Motion for James Tysse to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya, III) Parties notified.(JenniferLongoria, 1) (Entered: 09/28/2023)	Sept. 28, 2023	Sept. 28, 2023 RECAP
14	ORDER granting 5 Motion for Charles Connolly to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya, III) Parties notified.(JenniferLongoria, 1) (Entered: 09/28/2023)	Sept. 28, 2023	Sept. 28, 2023 RECAP
15	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Cynthia Liao (Fee Exempt)Motions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/19/2023. (Liao, Cynthia) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/29/2023: # 1 Verified status for Motion Pro Hac Vice) (SaraCelis, 1). (Entered: 09/28/2023) 1 Verified status for Motion Pro Hac Vice View on RECAP	Sept. 28, 2023	Sept. 28, 2023 RECAP
16	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Kuntal Cholera (Fee Exempt)Motions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/19/2023. (Cholera, Kuntal) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/29/2023: # 1 Verified status for Motion Pro Hac Vice) (SaraCelis, 1). (Entered: 09/28/2023) 1 Verified status for Motion Pro Hac Vice View on RECAP	Sept. 28, 2023	Sept. 28, 2023 RECAP
17	ORDER granting 16 Motion for Kuntal Cholera to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya, III) Parties notified. (SaraCelis, 1) (Entered: 09/29/2023)	Sept. 29, 2023	Sept. 29, 2023 RECAP
18	ORDER granting 15 Motion for Cynthia Liao to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya, III) Parties notified. (SaraCelis, 1) (Entered: 09/29/2023)	Sept. 29, 2023	Sept. 29, 2023 RECAP
19	NOTICE of Appearance by Christopher D. Pineda on behalf of Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. (Pineda, Christopher) (Entered: 10/02/2023)	Oct. 2, 2023	Oct. 2, 2023 RECAP
20	RESPONSE in Opposition to 11 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry. (Attachments: # 1 Ruisanchez Declaration, # 2 Proposed Order)(Liao, Cynthia) (Entered: 10/17/2023) 1 Ruisanchez Declaration View on RECAP 2 Proposed Order View on RECAP	Oct. 17, 2023	Oct. 17, 2023 RECAP
21	Rescinded per docket entry # 22. ORDER entered re: 20 RESPONSE in Opposition. Defendants' attorneys are required to file an affidavit certifying they have read and understand the Court's local rules by October 24, 2023. (Signed by Judge Rolando Olvera) Parties notified. (SaraCelis, 1) Modified on 10/23/2023 (SaraCelis, 1). (Entered: 10/19/2023)	Oct. 19, 2023	Oct. 19, 2023 RECAP
22	ORDER entered. The Court rescinds its prior Order (Dkt. No. 21) (Signed by Judge Rolando Olvera) Parties notified. (SaraCelis, 1) (Entered: 10/23/2023)	Oct. 23, 2023	Oct. 23, 2023 RECAP
23	MOTION for Leave to File First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive ReliefMotions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., filed. Motion Docket Date 11/15/2023. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Proposed Order)(Warrick, Laura) Modified on 10/26/2023 (JacquelineMata, 4). (Entered: 10/25/2023) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on RECAP 3 Proposed Order View on RECAP	Oct. 25, 2023	Oct. 25, 2023 RECAP
24	REPLY in Support of 11 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Space Exploration Technologies Corp.. (Warrick, Laura) (Entered: 10/25/2023)	Oct. 25, 2023	Oct. 25, 2023 RECAP
25	RETURN of Service of SUMMONS Executed as to All Defendants, filed.(Warrick, Laura) (Entered: 10/31/2023)	Oct. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2023 RECAP
26	SURREPLY to 11 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, RESPONSE in Opposition to 23 MOTION for Leave to File First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief, filed by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Liao, Cynthia) . (Entered: 11/03/2023) 1 Proposed Order View on RECAP	Nov. 3, 2023	Nov. 3, 2023 RECAP
27	REPLY in Support of 23 MOTION for Leave to File First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief, filed by Space Exploration Technologies Corp.. (Warrick, Laura) (Entered: 11/06/2023)	Nov. 6, 2023	Nov. 6, 2023 RECAP
28	ORDER granting in part and denying in part 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. (Signed by Judge Rolando Olvera) Parties notified.(JenniferLongoria, 1) (Entered: 11/08/2023)	Nov. 8, 2023	Nov. 8, 2023 Clearinghouse
29	Unopposed MOTION to Stay Answer Deadline Motions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. Motion Docket Date 12/4/2023. (Cholera, Kuntal) (Entered: 11/13/2023)	Nov. 13, 2023	Nov. 13, 2023 RECAP
30	ORDER entered. Plaintiffs Motion (Dkt. No. 23 ) should be and is hereby GRANTED. The Clerk of Court is ORDERED to file Plaintiffs First Amended Complaint as a new entry on the case docket. Defendants Motion (Dkt. No. 29 ) is GRANTED. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya, III) Parties notified. (SaraCelis, 1) (Main Document 30 replaced on 11/16/2023) (SaraCelis, 1). (Entered: 11/16/2023)	Nov. 16, 2023	Nov. 16, 2023 RECAP
31	First AMENDED COMPLAINT for Declaratory and Injuctive Relief against All Defendants filed by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Related document: 1 Complaint filed by Space Exploration Technologies Corp.. (SaraCelis, 1) (Entered: 11/16/2023)	Nov. 16, 2023	Nov. 16, 2023 Clearinghouse
	Set/Reset Deadlines AND Terminate Deadlines (PUBLIC ENTRY)	Nov. 16, 2023	Nov. 16, 2023
	***Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 1/22/2024 (SaraCelis, 1)	Nov. 16, 2023	Nov. 16, 2023
32	STATUS REPORT by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed.(Cholera, Kuntal) (Entered: 01/22/2024)	Jan. 22, 2024	Jan. 22, 2024 RECAP
33	ORDER entered granting 32 Status Report. The Court will issue a scheduling order which incorporates the parties proposed deadlines. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya, III) Parties notified. (SaraCelis, 1) (Entered: 01/24/2024)	Jan. 24, 2024	Jan. 24, 2024 RECAP
34	SCHEDULING ORDER. Defendants shall file their motion for summary judgment by 3/22/2024. Plaintiffs shall file their cross-MSJ by 5/21/2024. Plaintiffs response to Defendants MSJ, due by 5/21/2024. Defendants reply in support of their MSJ due by 6/20/2024. Defendants response to Plaintiffs MSJ due by 6/20/2024. Plaintiffs reply in support of its cross-MSJ due by 7/22/2024. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya, III) Parties notified. (SaraCelis, 1) (Entered: 01/24/2024)	Jan. 24, 2024	Jan. 24, 2024 RECAP
35	MOTION for Summary Judgment Motions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. Motion Docket Date 4/12/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Cholera, Kuntal) (Entered: 03/22/2024) 1 Proposed Order View on RECAP	March 22, 2024	March 22, 2024 RECAP
36	MOTION for Summary Judgment Plaintiff's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment [ECF No. 35] Motions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., filed. Motion Docket Date 6/11/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Warrick, Laura) (Entered: 05/21/2024)	May 21, 2024	May 21, 2024 RECAP
37	Agreed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Defendants' Reply Brief in Support of Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment and Response to Plaintiffs Cross-Motion for Summary JudgmentMotions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. Motion Docket Date 6/20/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Liao, Cynthia) (Entered: 05/29/2024)	May 29, 2024	May 29, 2024 RECAP
38	ORDER granting 37 Motion for Extension of Time. Defendants' have until July 11, 2024, to file their reply in support of Defendants' motion for summary judgment and response to Plaintiff's cross-motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff has until August 30, 2024, to file its reply in support of Plaintiff's cross-motion for summary judgment. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya, III) Parties notified. (jrl1) (Entered: 05/29/2024)	May 29, 2024	May 29, 2024 RECAP
39	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Reply Brief in Support of Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment and Response to Plaintiffs Cross-Motion for Summary JudgmentMotions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. Motion Docket Date 7/24/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Liao, Cynthia) (Entered: 07/03/2024)	July 3, 2024	July 3, 2024 RECAP
40	ORDER granting 39 Motion for Extension of Time. Defendants have until August 16, 2024, to file their reply in support of Defendants motion for summary judgment and response to Plaintiffs cross-motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff has until October 18, 2024, to file its reply in support of Plaintiffs cross-motion for summary judgment.SIGNED (Signed by Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt) Parties notified. (dar1) (Entered: 07/05/2024)	July 5, 2024	July 5, 2024 RECAP
41	NOTICE of Appearance by BENJAMIN S. LYLES on behalf of Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. (Lyles, Benjamin) (Entered: 08/12/2024)	Aug. 12, 2024	Aug. 12, 2024
42	Unopposed MOTION for Christopher D. Pineda to Withdraw as AttorneyMotions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/3/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Pineda, Christopher) (Entered: 08/12/2024)	Aug. 12, 2024	Aug. 12, 2024
43	ORDER granting 42 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Christopher D Pineda terminated.(Signed by Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya, III) Parties notified. (bav1) (Entered: 08/15/2024)	Aug. 15, 2024	Aug. 15, 2024
44	REPLY in Support of 35 MOTION for Summary Judgment, filed by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Liao, Cynthia) (Entered: 08/16/2024)	Aug. 16, 2024	Aug. 16, 2024 RECAP
45	Corrected REPLY in Support of 35 MOTION for Summary Judgment, filed by Carol Bell, Merrick B. Garland, James McHenry. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Liao, Cynthia) (Entered: 08/16/2024)	Aug. 16, 2024	Aug. 16, 2024 RECAP
46	REPLY in Support of 36 MOTION for Summary Judgment Plaintiff's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment [ECF No. 35], filed by Space Exploration Technologies Corp.. (Warrick, Laura) (Entered: 10/18/2024)	Oct. 18, 2024	Oct. 18, 2024 RECAP
47	Unopposed MOTION to Stay Case for 45 Days Motions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Carol Bell, James McHenry, Merrick B. Garland, filed. Motion Docket Date 2/10/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Liao, Cynthia) (Entered: 01/19/2025) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER	Jan. 19, 2025	Jan. 19, 2025 RECAP
48	ORDER granting 47 Motion to Stay. The Clerk of Court is ORDERED to STAY this civil action until further order of the Court. The Court will issue an order to lift the stay after March 10, 2025, unless the parties file a joint motion to extend the stay prior to its expiration. The parties are ORDERED to file a joint status report on or by March 7, 2025..(Signed by Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya, III) Parties notified. (dlr1) (Entered: 01/24/2025)	Jan. 24, 2025	Jan. 24, 2025 RECAP
	Set/Reset Deadlines	Jan. 24, 2025	Jan. 24, 2025
	***Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 3/7/2025 (dlr1)	Jan. 24, 2025	Jan. 24, 2025
49	Unopposed MOTION to Lift Preliminary Injunction for Limited PurposeMotions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Carol Bell, James McHenry, Merrick B. Garland, filed. Motion Docket Date 3/13/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Liao, Cynthia) (Entered: 02/20/2025) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER	Feb. 20, 2025	Feb. 20, 2025 RECAP
50	ORDER entered granting 49 Motion to Lift Preliminary Injunction for Limited Purpose. (Signed by Judge Rolando Olvera) Parties notified. (sac1) (Entered: 02/21/2025)	Feb. 21, 2025	Feb. 21, 2025 RECAP
51	Unopposed MOTION to Dismiss as Moot Motions referred to Ignacio Torteya, III. by Carol Bell, James McHenry, Merrick B. Garland, filed. Motion Docket Date 3/21/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Liao, Cynthia) (Entered: 02/28/2025) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER	Feb. 28, 2025	Feb. 28, 2025 RECAP
52	ORDER GRANTING 51 Unopposed MOTION to Dismiss as Moot. Case terminated on 3/3/2025 (Signed by Judge Rolando Olvera) Parties notified. (bav1) (Entered: 03/03/2025)	March 3, 2025	March 3, 2025 RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Texas

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 15, 2023

Closing Date: March 3, 2025

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

SpaceX, a private corporation

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Chief Administartive Hearing Officer

Office of the Chief Aminidstraitve Hearing Officer

United States Attorney General

Defendant Type(s):

Corrections

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Constitutional Clause(s):

Appointments Clause

Seventh Amendment (civil jury)

Other Dockets:

Southern District of Texas 1:23-cv-00137

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

Discrimination Basis:

Immigration status

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Space Exploration Technologies Corp v. Bell, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48070/ (last updated 4/14/2026).