Case: Democracy Forward Foundation v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

8:26-cv-03035 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Aug. 4, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

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

This case challenges USCIS’s alleged failure to timely process FOIA requests concerning federal efforts to review voter rolls, compile citizenship lists, and use immigration databases in election administration. Plaintiff seeks production of the requested records and expedited processing.
 

Summary Authors

Andrew Capps (9/13/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73715552/parties/democracy-forward-foundation-v-united-states-citizenship-and-immigration/

Judge(s)

Chasanow, Deborah K. (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Fein, Ronald A (Maryland)

McGrath, Daniel A. (Maryland)

Thurston, Robin F. (Maryland)

Vickery, Amy C. (Maryland)

Documents in the Clearinghouse
1

8:26-cv-03035

Complaint for Injunctive Relief

Democracy Forward Foundation v. U.S, Citizenship and Immigration Services

Aug. 4, 2026

Aug. 4, 2026

Complaint

Resources

Title Description External URL Date / External URL

Executive Order 14399—Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections

March 31, 2026

March 31, 2026

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/...

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73715552/democracy-forward-foundation-v-united-states-citizenship-and-immigration/

Last updated Sept. 24, 2026, 3:12 a.m.

Docket for: Democracy Forward Foundation v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Aug. 4, 2026

COMPLAINT against United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AMDDC-12929394.), filed by Democracy Forward Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons)(Vickery, Amy) (Entered: 08/04/2026)

Clearinghouse
2 Aug. 4, 2026

Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by Democracy Forward Foundation (Vickery, Amy) (Entered: 08/04/2026)

RECAP
3 Aug. 4, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Daniel A. McGrath on behalf of Democracy Forward Foundation (McGrath, Daniel) (Entered: 08/04/2026)

RECAP
4 Aug. 4, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Ronald A Fein on behalf of Democracy Forward Foundation (Fein, Ronald) (Entered: 08/04/2026)

RECAP
5 Aug. 4, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Robin F. Thurston on behalf of Democracy Forward Foundation (Thurston, Robin) (Entered: 08/04/2026)

RECAP
6 Aug. 4, 2026

Summons Issued 60 days as to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/04/2026)

RECAP
7 Aug. 12, 2026

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Democracy Forward Foundation. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services served on 8/10/2026, answer due 8/31/2026.(Vickery, Amy) (Entered: 08/12/2026)

RECAP
8 Aug. 12, 2026

AFFIDAVIT of Service for Summons and Complaint served on U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland on 08/10/2026, filed by Democracy Forward Foundation.(Vickery, Amy) (Entered: 08/12/2026)

RECAP
9 Aug. 12, 2026

AFFIDAVIT of Service for Summons and Complaint served on Todd Blanche, in his official acting capacity as Acting U.S. Attorney General on 08/11/2026, filed by Democracy Forward Foundation.(Vickery, Amy) (Entered: 08/12/2026)

RECAP
10 Sept. 10, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Theodore William Atkinson on behalf of All Defendants (Atkinson, Theodore) (Entered: 09/10/2026)

RECAP
11 Sept. 10, 2026

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, --Motion for Enlargement of Time-- by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Atkinson, Theodore) (Entered: 09/10/2026)

RECAP
12 Sept. 10, 2026

ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.(Atkinson, Theodore) (Entered: 09/10/2026)

RECAP
13 Sept. 11, 2026

PAPERLESS ORDER GRANTING 11 consent motion for extension of time. Defendant's response to 1 Plaintiff's Complaint is accepted as timely filed on September 10, 2026. Signed by Judge Deborah K. Chasanow on 9/11/2026. (sat, Chambers) (Entered: 09/11/2026)

RECAP
14 Sept. 11, 2026

PAPERLESS NOTICE SCHEDULING a telephone conference with counsel on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Call-in information will be emailed to counsel. (sat, Chambers) (Entered: 09/11/2026)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Maryland

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 4, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Democracy Forward Foundation is a national non-profit organization founded following the 2016 presidential election with the goal of advancing democracy and social progress via litigation, public education, and regulatory engagement.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

Democracy Forward

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552

Other Dockets:

District of Maryland 8:26-cv-03035

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Document/Information

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Government services

Mail

Records Disclosure

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Access to information systems

Commandeering

Voting:

Election administration

Access to Voter Rolls / Voter Information

Recommended Citation