Fischer et al v. United States of America et al

Filing 3

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER denying without prejudice 2 MOTION for Expedited Hearing. Signed by Judge Paula Xinis on 10/12/2017. (jf3s, Deputy Clerk)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
Southern Division
JOANNA LEE FISCHER, ET AL.

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Plaintiffs,

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v.

Case No.: PX-8:17-cv-2981
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ET AL.
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Defendants.
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MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
This Memorandum Opinion and Order addresses Joanna Lee Fischer and Keivan
Mokhtari Naseri’s (Plaintiffs) Motion for Expedited Hearing in their suit brought against the
United States of America, Attorney General Jefferson B. Sessions, Secretary of the Department
of Homeland Security Elaine Duke, and United States Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson
(Defendants). Plaintiff Mokhtari is a citizen of Iran. ECF No. 1 at ¶ 2. The Plaintiffs seek
declaratory relief from the Defendants’ alleged arbitrary and capricious refusal to review
Plaintiff Mokhtari’s visa application, in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8
U.S.C. §§ 1101 et seq., and the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 500 et seq. The
Plaintiffs also petition this court to issue a writ of mandamus compelling the Defendants to
complete Mokhtari’s visa application review before October 18, 2017, when the revised
Executive Order banning the issuance of immigrant and non-immigrant visas to citizens of Iran
is scheduled to take effect. ECF No. 1 at 8–9. For the reasons discussed below, the Motion for
Expedited Hearing, ECF No. 2, is DENIED without prejudice and with leave to refile.

First, it bears noting that the Defendants have not been served or otherwise been given
notice of this suit. Ordinarily after proper service has been effected, the Defendants would have
60 days to answer or otherwise respond to the complaint. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(2). The Plaintiffs
seek substantive redress within the next week, prior to October 18, 2017. It is not entirely clear
on what legal basis the Plaintiffs seek this relief. However, because the defendants have not
been served, nor does the recorde reflect that the Defendants have been given prior notice, the
Court will construe this motion as one requesting ex parte injunctive relief pursuant to Federal
Rule of Civil Procedure 65. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b)(1).
Rule 65(b)(1) provides that a court “may issue a temporary restraining order without
written or oral notice to the adverse party or its attorney only if” the movant “has filed an
affidavit or verified complaint clearly showing immediate and irreparable injury . . . will result to
the movant before the adverse party can be heard,” and “the movant’s attorney certifies in
writing any efforts made to give notice and the reasons why it should not be required.” Fed. R.
Civ. P. 65(b)(1), (b)(1)(A)–(B). “The requirements of Rule 65(b)(1) are not merely technical
niceties that a court may easily disregard, but rather crucial safeguards of due process.” Parker v.
Am. Brokers Conduit, No. CV JKB-15-3652, 2015 WL 7751664, at *2 (D. Md. Dec. 1, 2015)
(quoting Tchienkou v. Net Trust Mortg., No. 3:10–CV–00023, 2010 WL 2375882, at *1
(W.D.Va. June 9, 2010)). The Plaintiffs have not yet complied with Rule 65’s requirements, and
so their requested relief must be denied.
To the extent that the Plaintiffs seek expedited review on grounds other than Rule
65(b)(1), the Plaintiffs have not articulated the legal bases for such a request that comports with
fundamental principles of due process. ECF No. 2. Accordingly, the Plaintiffs’ Motion for
Expedited Hearing is DENIED without prejudice to refile in compliance with the requirements

of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65, or to set forth other legal bases for this Court to entertain
the requested relief.

10/12/2017
Date

/S/
Paula Xinis
United States District Judge