Case: Corcelius v. Mullin

0:26-cv-02787 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: May 28, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case challenging the U.S. government’s security screening practices at an airport.  On May 28, 2026, a labor and community organizer filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in the Minneapolis Division. The plaintiff sued the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and several other federal security officials in their official capacities, asserting violations of the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizu…

This is a case challenging the U.S. government’s security screening practices at an airport. 

On May 28, 2026, a labor and community organizer filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in the Minneapolis Division. The plaintiff sued the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and several other federal security officials in their official capacities, asserting violations of the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures and the First Amendment’s protection against retaliation. The plaintiff alleged that upon returning from Europe, where she had advocated for divestment from DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents subjected her to secondary screening, seized her phone and political literature, and searched her device without reasonable suspicion. The plaintiff sought declaratory relief, injunctive relief barring unlawful non-routine searches and seizures of her property and requiring the government to revise its search policies; along with attorney's fees. The case was assigned to District Judge Nancy E. Brasel.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Alexis Gil (7/10/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73408834/parties/corcelius-v-mullin/


Judge(s)

Brasel, Nancy Ellen (Minnesota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Masri, Lena Fatina (Minnesota)

Shaw, Alec (Minnesota)

Attorney for Defendant

Hackworthy, David R. (Minnesota)

Sekus, Perry (Minnesota)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

0:26-cv-02787

Complaint

May 28, 2026

May 28, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73408834/corcelius-v-mullin/

Last updated Aug. 30, 2026, 3:11 a.m.

Docket for: Corcelius v. Mullin
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 May 28, 2026

COMPLAINT against All Defendants (filing fee $ 405, receipt number AMNDC-13001512) filed by Janette Zahia Corcelius. Filer requests summons issued. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Shaw, Alec) (Entered: 05/28/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

Clearinghouse
2 May 29, 2026

(Text-Only) CLERK'S NOTICE OF INITIAL CASE ASSIGNMENT. Case assigned to Judge Nancy E. Brasel per Civil (3rd, 4th - Civil Rights) list, referred to Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko. Please use case number 26-cv-2787 NEB/DLM.Notice: All Nongovernmental Corporate Parties must file a Rule 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement. (ACH) (Entered: 05/29/2026)

RECAP
3 May 29, 2026

Summons Issued as to Derek Gordon, Kathleen Koetz, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Jason Schmelz, Rodney Scott. (ACH) (Entered: 05/29/2026)

RECAP
4 May 29, 2026

(Text-Only) Notice re: Non-Admitted AttorneyWe have received documents listing Lena Masri, Gadeir Abbas, John Fossum as counsel of record. If he or she wishes to be listed as an attorney of record in this case, he or she must be admitted to the bar of the U.S. District Court of Minnesota in accordance with Local Rule 83.5 (a), (b) and (c) or temporarily admitted pro hac vice in accordance with Local Rule 83.5 (d) or (e).For more admissions information and forms, please see the Attorney Forms Section of the courts website at www.mnd.uscourts.gov/forms/all-forms. (ACH) (Entered: 05/29/2026)

RECAP
5 June 5, 2026

MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Attorney Lena Masri. Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AMNDC-13021151 filed by Janette Zahia Corcelius. (Shaw, Alec) (Entered: 06/05/2026)

RECAP
6 June 5, 2026

(Text-Only) ORDER granting 5 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Attorney Lena Fatina Masri for Janette Zahia Corcelius. Approved by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 6/5/2026. (CNO) (Entered: 06/05/2026)

RECAP
June 5, 2026

Order on Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice

7 June 8, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by David R. Hackworthy on behalf of Derek Gordon, Kathleen Koetz, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Jason Schmelz, Rodney Scott. (Hackworthy, David) (Entered: 06/08/2026)

RECAP
8 June 8, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Perry Sekus on behalf of Derek Gordon, Kathleen Koetz, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Jason Schmelz, Rodney Scott. (Sekus, Perry) (Entered: 06/08/2026)

RECAP
9 July 7, 2026

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to USA by Janette Zahia Corcelius. Derek Gordon served on 6/4/2026, answer due 8/3/2026; Kathleen Koetz served on 6/4/2026, answer due 8/3/2026; Todd Lyons served on 6/4/2026, answer due 8/3/2026; Markwayne Mullin served on 6/4/2026, answer due 8/3/2026; Jason Schmelz served on 6/4/2026, answer due 8/3/2026; Rodney Scott served on 6/4/2026, answer due 8/3/2026. (Shaw, Alec) (Entered: 07/07/2026)

RECAP
10 Aug. 3, 2026

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to Answer or Otherwise Respond filed by Derek Gordon, Kathleen Koetz, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Jason Schmelz, Rodney Scott. (Hackworthy, David) (Entered: 08/03/2026)

RECAP
11 Aug. 3, 2026

PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re 10 Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to Answer or Otherwise Respond filed by Derek Gordon, Kathleen Koetz, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Jason Schmelz, Rodney Scott.(Hackworthy, David) (Entered: 08/03/2026)

RECAP
12 Aug. 4, 2026

(Text-Only) ORDER. Before the Court is Defendants' Consent Motion to Extend Time to Answer or Otherwise Respond 10 . The Court finds that good cause has been shown, and therefore, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendants shall have until and including August 17, 2026 to answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's Complaint. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 8/4/2026. (CRD) (Entered: 08/04/2026)

RECAP
13 Aug. 17, 2026

MOTION to Dismiss/General or, in the Alternative, for Partial Summary Judgment filed by Derek Gordon, Kathleen Koetz, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Jason Schmelz, Rodney Scott. (Sekus, Perry) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

RECAP
14 Aug. 17, 2026

MEMORANDUM in Support re 13 MOTION to Dismiss/General or, in the Alternative, for Partial Summary Judgment filed by Derek Gordon, Kathleen Koetz, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Jason Schmelz, Rodney Scott. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Sekus, Perry) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

RECAP
15 Aug. 17, 2026

DECLARATION of Kathleen Koetz re 13 MOTION to Dismiss/General or, in the Alternative, for Partial Summary Judgment by Derek Gordon, Kathleen Koetz, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Jason Schmelz, Rodney Scott . (Sekus, Perry) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

RECAP
16 Aug. 17, 2026

DECLARATION of Courtney Deming re 13 MOTION to Dismiss/General or, in the Alternative, for Partial Summary Judgment by Derek Gordon, Kathleen Koetz, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Jason Schmelz, Rodney Scott . (Sekus, Perry) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

RECAP
17 Aug. 17, 2026

NOTICE OF HEARING ON MOTION: 13 MOTION to Dismiss/General or, in the Alternative, for Partial Summary Judgment. Motion Hearing set for 1/6/2027 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 13W (MPLS) before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. (Sekus, Perry) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

RECAP
18 Aug. 17, 2026

MEET and CONFER STATEMENT re 13 Motion to Dismiss/General filed by Derek Gordon, Kathleen Koetz, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Jason Schmelz, Rodney Scott.(Sekus, Perry) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

RECAP
19 Aug. 17, 2026

PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re 13 MOTION to Dismiss/General or, in the Alternative, for Partial Summary Judgment filed by Derek Gordon, Kathleen Koetz, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Jason Schmelz, Rodney Scott.(Sekus, Perry) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

RECAP
20 Aug. 18, 2026

(Text-Only) ORDER. Due to the pending Motion to Dismiss 13, the Court finds there is good cause to delay the entry of a pretrial scheduling order. The Court will schedule a pretrial conference, if needed, promptly after a decision is issued on the pending motion. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on 8/18/2026. (CRD) (Entered: 08/18/2026)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 28, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The plaintiff is a labor and community organizer.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Commission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Customs and Border Protection Assistant Port Director for Port of Entry #3501

Customs and Border Protection Port Director for Port of Entry #3501

Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations

Secretary of Homeland Security

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Unreasonable search and seizure

Other Dockets:

District of Minnesota 0:26-cv-02787

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Loss or damage to property

Retaliation

Recommended Citation