Case: Perez Fernandez v. Municipal Credit Union
1:25-cv-06970 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Filed Date: Aug. 22, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenges Municipal Credit Union (MCU)'s alleged intentional discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status through the denial of loan access.
On August 22, 2025, the plaintiff – a DACA recipient living in the U.S. – filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiff sued MCU on behalf of all those who had similarly been denied loans from MCU due to immigration status under the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (42 U.S.C. § 1981) and New York State Human Rights Law (N.Y. Exec. Law §§ 290, et seq.). Represented by Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the plaintiff sought an injunction from engaging in the alleged discrimination, compensatory damages, civil fines and penalties, and costs incurred (i.e. attorney’s fees). The plaintiff claimed that MCU unlawfully discriminated against him on the basis of alienage by denying him a five-year auto loan for which he had previously been approved and for which he was qualified. MCU employees told the plaintiff that he could only be granted a two-year loan due to his immigration status, and he would qualify for the five-year loan if he became a permanent resident. The case was assigned to District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Charlotte Beaudoin (2/7/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71178947/parties/perez-fernandez-v-municipal-credit-union/
Shump, Nicolas (New York)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71178947/perez-fernandez-v-municipal-credit-union/
Last updated March 16, 2026, 4:23 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 22, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
All persons who resided in the United States when they applied or attempted to apply for a loan product from Municipal Credit Union (MCU), but who were denied fair and equal consideration by MCU on the basis of alienage, citizenship, and/or immigration status.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Pending
Defendants
Private Entity/Person
Municipal Credit Union
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Other Dockets:
Southern District of New York 1:25-cv-06970
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis:
Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):
Immigration/Border:
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
Undocumented immigrants - rights and duties
Case Summary of Perez Fernandez v. Municipal Credit Union, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/47346/ (last updated 2/7/2026).