Cheng v. Gonzales et al

Filing 3

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. Signed by Judge Jeremy Fogel on 3/20/2006. (jflc1, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/21/2006)

Cheng v. Gonzales et al

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Case 5:06-cv-01514-JF

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Filed 03/21/2006

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NOT FOR CITATION 8 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 SAN JOSE DIVISION 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
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BEI CHENG, Plaintiff, v. ALBERTO GONZALES, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL, et al., Defendants..

Case Number C 06-01514 JF (RS) ORDER1 TO SHOW CAUSE [Docket No. 1]

On February 27, 2006, Plaintiff Bei Cheng, proceeding pro se, filed a "petition for hearing on naturalization application under 8 U.S.C. § 1447(b)" against Defendants Alberto Gonzales, United States Attorney General, Michael Chertoff, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Emilio T. Gonzalez, Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, David Still, San Francisco Director, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Robert S. Mueller, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"). Plaintiff alleges the following. She is a lawful permanent resident of the United States,

This disposition is not designated for publication and may not be cited.

Case No. C 06-01514 JF (RS) O R D E R TO SHO W CAUSE (JFLC1)

Dockets.Justia.com

Case 5:06-cv-01514-JF

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and she applied for naturalization on August 2, 2004. On March 15, 2005, Plaintiff underwent a naturalization interview at the San Jose office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS"). She was told that she passed the English and United States History and Government tests, but that a decision could not be made until an FBI name check was completed. On May 13, 2005, Plaintiff had an appointment at the San Jose USCIS office, during which she was again told that her FBI name check was still pending. On May 27, 2005, June 24, 2005, and November 7, 2005, Plaintiff sent e-mail inquiries to the FBI National Name Check Program. These inquiries prompted no response. In response to a Freedom of Information and Privacy Act request, Plaintiff received a letter from the FBI dated June 8, 2005. The letter stated: "A search of the automated indices to the central records system files at FBI Headquarters located no records." Plaintiff made inquiries of San Jose USCIS office regarding the status of her naturalization application on June 16, 2005, September 7, 2005, November 4, 2005, December 8, 2005, and January 19, 2006. In response to each inquiry, she was told that the FBI name check was pending. She has not yet received a determination of her application for citizenship. Plaintiff alleges that Defendants have violated 8 U.S.C. § 1447(b), which provides: If there is a failure to make a determination under section 1446 of this title before the end of the 120-day period after the date on which the examination is conducted under such section, the applicant may apply to the United States district court for the district in which the applicant resides for a hearing on the matter. Such court has jurisdiction over the matter and may either determine the matter or remand the matter, with appropriate instructions, to the Service to determine the matter. Plaintiff requests that this Court adjudicate the naturalization application or issue a writ of mandamus requiring Defendants to adjudicate her application immediately. Good cause therefore appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows: (1) The Clerk of the Court shall serve by certified mail a copy of the petition and a

copy of this Order upon counsel for Defendants, the Office of the United States Attorney. The Clerk of the Court also shall serve a copy of this Order upon Plaintiff Bei Cheng. (2) Defendants shall, within thirty (30) days after receiving this order, file and serve

upon Plaintiff an answer, showing cause why a writ of mandamus should not issue. At the time the answer is filed, Defendants shall lodge with the Court all records relevant to a determination 2
Case No. C 06-01514 JF (RS) O R D E R TO SHO W CAUSE (JFLC1)

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of the issues presented by the complaint. If Defendants contend that Plaintiff has failed to exhaust administrative remedies as to any ground for relief asserted in the complaint, Defendants shall specify what administrative remedy remains available to Plaintiff. If Defendants waive or concede the issue of exhaustion, Defendants shall so state in their answer. (3) Plaintiff may file a response to the matters raised in the answer within thirty (30)

days after receiving the answer. (4) Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the matter will be deemed submitted upon

the filing of the response or upon the expiration of time to file a response.

DATED: March 20, 2006

JEREMY FOGEL Unit ed States District Judge

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This Order has been served upon the following persons: Bei Cheng 1507 Marlene Court San Jose, CA 95118 Office of the United States Attorney 150 Almaden Blvd., Suite 900 San Jose, CA 95113

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Case No. C 06-01514 JF (RS) O R D E R TO SHO W CAUSE (JFLC1)