Crespo-Gutierrez v. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services et al

Filing 19

ORDER denying plaintiff's 12 Motion for Service Status; denying without prejudice plaintiff's 13 Motion for Default; extending time for service until 90 days from the date of this order; directing defendants to file an answer or motion within 60 days after service, signed by Judge Robert S. Lasnik. (SWT) (cc: Plaintiff, US Attorney via USPS)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE

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AXEL CRESPO-GUTIERREZ,

Case No. C17-1406RSL

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Plaintiff,

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v.

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ORDER

U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION
SERVICES, et al.,

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Defendants.

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This matter comes before the Court on plaintiff’s service-related motion, Dkt. # 12, and

17 motion for default, Dkt. # 13. Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, and the Court
18 previously issued an order directing service on plaintiff’s behalf. Dkt. #6; see 28 U.S.C. §
19 1915(d) (providing that “the officers of the court shall issue and serve all process” on IFP
20 plaintiff’s request); Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(3) (“At the plaintiff’s request the court may order that
21 service be made by a United States marshal or deputy marshal or by a person specially
22 appointed by the court. The court must so order if the plaintiff is authorized to proceed in forma
23 pauperis . . . .”).
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Copies of the summons and complaint were served on defendants U.S. Citizenship and

25 Immigration Services (USCIS), Dkt. # 10, and its director Leon Rodriguez, Dkt. # 9. To ensure
26 compliance with Federal Civil Rule 4, copies have also been sent by certified mail to the civil27 process clerk at the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington,
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ORDER - 1

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Plaintiff appears to move for proof of service on the agency and director, see Dkt. # 12,

2 but service by a United States marshal need not be proved by affidavit, Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(l)(1),
3 and that request is accordingly denied. Plaintiff expresses concern that his complaint risks being
4 dismissed for failure to perfect service. Dkt. # 12. IFP plaintiffs enjoy leeway in perfecting
5 service because they rely on the Court to do so. See Puett v. Blandford, 912 F.2d 270, 275 (9th
6 Cir. 1990). In addition, the Court may for good cause extend the deadline for service. Fed. R.
7 Civ. P. 4(m). For that reason, the Court will extend plaintiff’s service deadline in this case until
8 ninety (90) days from the date of this order.
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Defendant also seeks an entry of default against USCIS and Director Rodriguez. Dkt. #

10 13. It is uncertain whether service has been perfected on the federal defendants, and for that
11 reason plaintiff’s motion for entry of default is denied without prejudice.
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For the foregoing reasons, the Court ORDERS as follows:

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(1)

Plaintiff’s request for proof of service, Dkt. # 12, is DENIED;

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(2)

Plaintiff’s motion for entry of default, Dkt. # 13, is DENIED without prejudice;

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(3)

The time for service is extended until ninety (90) days from the date of this order

16 as provided by Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure;
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(4)

Within sixty (60) days after service, defendant(s) United States, United States

18 Agencies, and/or United States Officers shall file and serve an answer or a motion directed to
19 the complaint, as permitted by Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
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(5)

The Clerk is directed to send copies of this order to plaintiff and to the office of

21 the United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington.
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DATED this 8th day of February, 2018.

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A
Robert S. Lasnik

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United States District Judge

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ORDER - 2