Case: ACLU of Southern California v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
2:18-cv-08917 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Filed Date: Oct. 16, 2018
Closed Date: Feb. 26, 2020
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
On October 16, 2018, the ACLU of Southern California filed this lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiff sued under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. §552, seeking the release of records related to U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents’ practice of misrepresenting or concealing their identity when conducting enforcement actions. Specifically, the plaintiff sought to order the defendant to produce the public records requested on February 12, 2019, without further delay and to declare that the defendant failed to comply with FOIA.
Judge John A. Kronstadt approved the defendant’s Ex Parte Application to Stay Case due to the lapse in appropriations to the Department of Justice on January 11, 2019. The stay was lifted on February 5, 2019.
In an August 15, 2019, status update, the defendant stated that it had produced records to the plaintiff on several occasions since litigation commenced and that the parties were continuing to discuss a possible resolution to the case without the need for further litigation.
On February 3, 2020, the parties filed a joint stipulation to dismiss the case. The plaintiff stated that it was satisfied with the documents the defendant had produced in response to the FOIA request. On February 4, Judge Kronstadt issued an order dismissing the case with prejudice. The parties were to bear their own costs, fees, and expenses.
The case is closed.
Summary Authors
Sichun Liu (2/10/2019)
Sam Kulhanek (4/18/2020)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/14858727/parties/aclu-of-southern-california-v-united-states-department-of-homeland/
Kronstadt, John Arnold (California)
McDermott, John E. (California)
Barragan, Matthew J. (California)
Hanna, Nicola T. (California)
Harris, David M (California)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/14858727/aclu-of-southern-california-v-united-states-department-of-homeland/
Last updated March 22, 2025, 10:40 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 1.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Oct. 16, 2018
Closing Date: Feb. 26, 2020
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
ACLU of Southern California.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Department of Homeland Security
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552
Other Dockets:
Central District of California 2:18-cv-08917
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Issues
General/Misc.:
Case Summary of ACLU of Southern California v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/16843/ (last updated 4/18/2020).