Case: National Housing Law Project v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

3:26-cv-08909 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: Aug. 26, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

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

This case challenges HUD, DHS, and USCIS’s alleged failure to timely determine and produce non-exempt records in response to NHLP’s FOIA requests concerning immigration-status verification, interagency data sharing, the SAVE program, and participation in HUD-assisted housing. It also challenges HUD’s denial of expedited processing for one request.
 

Summary Authors

Haylee Thomas (9/21/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/74701504/parties/national-housing-law-project-v-us-department-of-housing-and-urban/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Fein, Ronald A. (California)

Martinez, Daniel H. (California)

McGrath, Daniel Alexander (California)

Thrope, Deborah Lynne (California)

Thurston, Robin F. (California)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

3:26-cv-08909

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Aug. 26, 2026

Aug. 26, 2026

Complaint
16

3:26-cv-08909

First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

National Housing Law Project v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development et al.

Sept. 2, 2026

Sept. 2, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/74701504/national-housing-law-project-v-us-department-of-housing-and-urban/

Last updated Sept. 24, 2026, 3:10 a.m.

Docket for: National Housing Law Project v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Aug. 26, 2026

COMPLAINT against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ( Filing fee $ 405, receipt number ACANDC-22381923.). Injunction against the US government/official or APA vacatur requested. Filed by National Housing Law Project. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 8/26/2026) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

Clearinghouse
2 Aug. 26, 2026

Proposed Summons. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 8/26/2026) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

RECAP
3 Aug. 26, 2026

Proposed Summons. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 8/26/2026) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

RECAP
4 Aug. 26, 2026

Proposed Summons. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 8/26/2026) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

RECAP
5 Aug. 26, 2026

Proposed Summons. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 8/26/2026) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

RECAP
6 Aug. 26, 2026

Proposed Summons. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 8/26/2026) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

RECAP
7 Aug. 26, 2026

Corporate Disclosure Statement by National Housing Law Project (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 8/26/2026) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

RECAP
8 Aug. 26, 2026

Case assigned to Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse. Counsel for plaintiff or the removing party is responsible for serving the Complaint or Notice of Removal, Summons and the assigned judge's standing orders and all other new case documents upon the opposing parties. For information, visit E-Filing A New Civil Case at http://cand.uscourts.gov/ecf/caseopening.Standing orders can be downloaded from the court's web page at www.cand.uscourts.gov/judges. Upon receipt, the summons will be issued and returned electronically. A scheduling order will be sent by Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) within two business days. Consent/Declination due by 9/9/2026. (ark, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/26/2026) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

RECAP
9 Aug. 26, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance filed by Deborah Lynne Thrope on behalf of National Housing Law Project (Thrope, Deborah) (Filed on 8/26/2026)

RECAP
Aug. 26, 2026

~Util - Case Assigned by Intake

Aug. 26, 2026

Notice of Appearance/Substitution/Change/Withdrawal of Attorney

10 Aug. 27, 2026

Initial Case Management Scheduling Order with ADR Deadlines: Case Management Statement due by 11/20/2026. Initial Case Management Conference set for 11/27/2026 02:00 PM in San Francisco, - Videoconference Only. (kxo, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/27/2026)

RECAP
11 Aug. 27, 2026

Proposed Summons. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 8/27/2026)

RECAP
12 Aug. 27, 2026

MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-22390380.) filed by National Housing Law Project. (Attachments: (1) Certificate of Good Standing)(McGrath, Daniel) (Filed on 8/27/2026)

1 Certificate of Good Standing

View on RECAP

RECAP
13 Aug. 27, 2026

MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-22390465.) filed by National Housing Law Project. (Attachments: (1) Certificate of Good Standing)(Fein, Ronald) (Filed on 8/27/2026)

1 Certificate of Good Standing

View on RECAP

RECAP
14 Aug. 27, 2026

MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-22390891.) filed by National Housing Law Project. (Attachments: (1) Certificate of Good Standing)(Thurston, Robin) (Filed on 8/27/2026)

1 Certificate of Good Standing

View on RECAP

RECAP
Aug. 27, 2026

Electronic filing error.Only ONE summons will be issued. Please list all defendants on ONE summons. Attach an additional page(s) if needed for multiple parties or addresses. This filing will not be processed by the clerks office.Please re-file in its entirety. Re:5 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project, 4 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project, 6 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project, 3 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project, 2 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project (kxo, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/27/2026)

Aug. 27, 2026

Electronic filing error.Only ONE summons will be issued. Please list all defendants on ONE summons. Attach an additional page(s) if needed for multiple parties or addresses. This filing will not be processed by the clerks office.Please re-file in its entirety. Re: 5 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project, 4 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project, 6 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project, 3 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project, 2 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project (kxo, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/27/2026)

15 Aug. 28, 2026

Summons Issued as to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (kxo, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/28/2026)

RECAP
16 Sept. 2, 2026

AMENDED COMPLAINT against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Filed by National Housing Law Project. (Attachments: (1) Exhibit A (Redline of Prior Operative Pleading))(Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 9/2/2026)

1 Exhibit A (Redline of Prior Operative Pleading)

View on RECAP

Clearinghouse
17 Sept. 2, 2026

Proposed Summons. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 9/2/2026)

RECAP
Sept. 3, 2026

Electronic filing error. This filing will not be processed by the Clerk's Office. There is an outstanding summons that was issued at dkt 15. Summons MUST be returned executed or unexecuted in order for another summons to be issued to the same parties. Re:17 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project (jnk, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 9/3/2026)

18 Sept. 9, 2026

CONSENT/DECLINATION to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge by National Housing Law Project.. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 9/9/2026)

RECAP
19 Sept. 18, 2026

Proposed Summons. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 9/18/2026)

RECAP
Sept. 18, 2026

Electronic filing errorThe summons issued on 08/28/2026 is still outstanding. Counsel MUST complete the second page of summons "Proof of Service" specifying the reason why the summons is being returned unexecuted. This filing will not be processed by the clerks office until the filing of the Summons Returned Unexecuted. Re:19 Proposed Summons filed by National Housing Law Project (dhm, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 9/18/2026)

20 Sept. 21, 2026

Summons Returned Unexecuted by National Housing Law Project as to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 9/21/2026)

RECAP
21 Sept. 21, 2026

Proposed Summons. (Martinez, Daniel) (Filed on 9/21/2026)

RECAP
22 Sept. 21, 2026

Summons re-issued as to U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (dhm, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 9/21/2026)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Public Housing

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 26, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A national housing non-profit organization

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

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Other Dockets:

Northern District of California 3:26-cv-08909

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Document/Information

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Records Disclosure

Discrimination Area:

Housing Sales/Rental

Discrimination Basis:

Immigration status

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Access to information systems

Recommended Citation