Northern District of Illinois • 1:25-cv-02863

#1

Mar 18, 2025

COMPLAINT to Revoke Naturalization filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Ex. A - Affidavit of Good Cause, # 2 Exhibit Ex. B - Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, # 3 Exhibit Ex. C - Form N-550, Certificate of Naturalization, # 4 Exhibit Ex. D - Criminal Record, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet)(Hollis, Christopher) (Entered: 03/18/2025)

Mar 19, 2025

CASE ASSIGNED to the Honorable John F. Kness. Designated as Magistrate Judge the Honorable Jeffrey Cole. Case assignment: Random assignment. (Civil Category 2). (cvk, )

Mar 19, 2025

CLERK'S NOTICE: Pursuant to Local Rule 73.1(b), a United States Magistrate Judge of this court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action. If all parties consent to have the currently assigned United States Magistrate Judge conduct all proceedings in this case, including trial, the entry of final judgment, and all post-trial proceedings, all parties must sign their names on the attached Consent To form. This consent form is eligible for filing only if executed by all parties. The parties can also express their consent to jurisdiction by a magistrate judge in any joint filing, including the Joint Initial Status Report or proposed Case Management Order. (cvk, )

#3

Mar 20, 2025

SUMMONS Issued (Court Participant) as to Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz, U.S. Attorney, and U.S. Attorney General (lj, ) (Entered: 03/20/2025)

#4

Apr 16, 2025

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz on 4/15/2025, answer due 6/14/2025. Received Via Pro Se Mail On 4/15/25 (pg, ) (Docket Text Modified by Clerk's Office on 04/16/25) Modified on 4/16/2025 (aee, ). (Entered: 04/16/2025)

#5

May 21, 2025

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: Telephonic initial status hearing is set for 7/9/2025 at 9:30 A.M. Consistent with Rule 26(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the parties are directed to meet and conduct a planning conference in advance of the initial status hearing. No later than ten days before the status hearing, the parties shall jointly complete and file on the docket a report that provides the information required by the Court's model Joint Initial Status Report, which can be found at https://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/judge-info.aspx?Iu9/vqz23r5X7AkWx/nLtg== (see link entitled "Joint Initial Status Report"). If all Defendants have not yet been served or have not yet responded to requests to draft the required Joint Initial Status Report, Plaintiff must file the report on its own and must inform the Court of that circumstance. The parties are to use the following call-in number: 1-855-244-8681, Access Code: 2315 003 3696. The public and media representatives may have access to the hearing via the same number. Audio recording of the hearing is not permitted; violations of this prohibition may result in sanctions. Participants are directed to keep their device muted when they are not speaking. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

#6

May 22, 2025

MOTION by Defendant Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz for extension of time. Received Via PC Scan On 5/22/25 (Attachments: # 1 Notice Of Filing)(pg, ) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

#7

May 23, 2025

RESPONSE by Plaintiff United States of America to extension of time 6 Plaintiff's Response to Defendant's Motion to Enlarge His Complaint Response Period (Hollis, Christopher) (Entered: 05/23/2025)

#8

May 30, 2025

ENTERED IN ERROR (Entered: 05/30/2025)

#9

May 30, 2025

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: Defendant's Motion for Enlargement of Time 6 is granted in part. Defendant must answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint on or before 9/19/2025. Accordingly, the 7/9/2025 status hearing is stricken and reset for 10/2/2025 at 9:30 A.M. The parties are to use the following call-in number: 1-855-244-8681, Access Code: 2315 003 3696. The public and media representatives may have access to the hearing via the same number. Audio recording of the hearing is not permitted; violations of this prohibition may result in sanctions. Participants are directed to keep their device muted when they are not speaking. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

#10

Sep 16, 2025

MOTION by Defendant Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz for enlargement of time. (Exhibits) (Received via PC Scan on 09/16/2025) (gmm) (Entered: 09/18/2025)

#11

Sep 22, 2025

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: This matter is set for a telephonic hearing on 10/2/2025. At that hearing, the Court will address Defendant's current motion for enlargement of time 10 . Counsel for Plaintiff is directed to make the necessary arrangements with Defendant's institution to ensure that Defendant is present at the telephonic hearing. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 09/22/2025)

#12

Sep 25, 2025

REPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting by United States of America (Hollis, Christopher) (Entered: 09/25/2025)

#13

Sep 25, 2025

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Testificandum by Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz. (Exhibits) (Received via PC Scan on 09/25/2025) (gmm) (Entered: 10/01/2025)

#14

Oct 01, 2025

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: Today, the Northern District of Illinois entered General Order 25-0024, which addresses the lapse of federal appropriations. Consistent with that Order, all proceedings in this matter are stayed until further order. This means that any briefing schedules, deadlines, or hearings are vacated. Consistent with the foregoing, the hearing set for 10/2/2025 is stricken, and any writ commanding Defendant's appearance is vacated. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 10/01/2025)

#15

Oct 01, 2025

ORDER GENERAL ORDER 25-0024: GENERAL ORDER HOLDING IN ABEYANCE: CIVIL MATTERS INVOLVING THE UNITED STATES AS A PARTY: This matter is before the Court due to the lapse of congressional appropriations funding the federal government, including the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Office. Absent an appropriation, the United States represents that certain Department of Justice attorneys and employees of the federal government are prohibited from working, even on a voluntary basis, except in very limited circumstances, including "emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property." 31 U.S.C. § 1342. Therefore, the lapse in appropriations requires a reduction in the workforce of the United States Attorney's Office and other federal agencies, particularly with respect to prosecution and defense of civil cases. The Court, in response, and with the intent to avoid any default or prejudice to the United States or other civil litigants occasioned by the lapse in funding, sua sponte enters this General Order. As a result of the cited workforce reductions, it is hereby ORDERED, effective October 1, 2025, that all civil litigation involving as a party the United States of America, its agencies, its officers or employees (whether in their individual or official capacity and whether current or former employees), and/or any other party represented by the Department of Justice or the United States Attorney's Office is immediately suspended, postponed, and held in abeyance continuing until funding for federal government operations is fully restored. The Court may renew or modify this General Order depending on developments in the stay period. The Court intends "civil litigation" to include all pending non-criminal cases in which the United States, its agencies, its officers or employees (whether in their individual or official capacity and whether current or former employees) is in any way a named party and any non-criminal cases in which the United States Attorney's Office or the Department of Justice is counsel of record. This includes, without limitation, all pending Social Security cases and all cases seeking monetary or equitable relief in which the United States is involved as a civil litigant. The General Order does not affect habeas corpus cases pending or filed under Chapter 153 of Title 28. This General Order suspends and continues, during the stay, any and all events and deadlines in the affected civil litigation (whether established by order, rule, or agreement), including but not limited to any scheduled proceedings, hearings, and/or discovery and pleading dates. No party will be required to take any steps in civil litigation affected until expiration of the stay. The Court warns litigants that this General Order does not purport to affect rights to, or deadlines concerning, appeal from any decision of this Court, which will continue to operate and issue orders in the normal course. Any litigant affected by this General Order may seek relief from the order by motion. The Court may, in any particular case, vary the effect or operation of this General Order by a separate order. The Court shall distribute this General Order : (a) by electronic service to all registered CM/ECF users; (b) by first-class mail to unregistered civil litigants, including pro se litigants, and to attorneys pending pro hac vice admission; and (c) by posting the General Order on the Court's public website. The Court shall clarify the status of case schedules upon expiration of the stay and dependent on the timing of the funding resolution. Signed by the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall on 10/1/2025: Mailed notice. (tg, ) (Entered: 10/01/2025)

#16

Oct 02, 2025

ORDER AMENDED GENERAL ORDER 25-0024: GENERAL ORDER HOLDING IN ABEYANCE: CIVIL MATTERS INVOLVING THE UNITED STATES AS A PARTY: This matter is before the Court due to the lapse of congressional appropriations funding the federal government, including the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Office. Absent an appropriation, the United States represents that certain Department of Justice attorneys and employees of the federal government are prohibited from working, even on a voluntary basis, except in very limited circumstances, including "emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property." 31 U.S.C. § 1342. Therefore, the lapse in appropriations requires a reduction in the workforce of the United States Attorney's Office and other federal agencies, particularly with respect to prosecution and defense of civil cases. The Court, in response, and with the intent to avoid any default or prejudice to the United States or other civil litigants occasioned by the lapse in funding, sua sponte enters this General Order. As a result of the cited workforce reductions, it is hereby ORDERED, effective October 1, 2025, that all civil litigation involving as a party the United States of America, its agencies, its officers or employees (whether in their individual or official capacity and whether current or former employees), and/or any other party represented by the Department of Justice or the United States Attorney's Office is immediately suspended, postponed, and held in abeyance continuing until funding for federal government operations is fully restored. The Court may renew or modify this General Order depending on developments in the stay period. The Court intends "civil litigation" to include all pending non-criminal cases in which the United States, its agencies, its officers or employees (whether in their individual or official capacity and whether current or former employees) is in any way a named party and any non-criminal cases in which the United States Attorney's Office or the Department of Justice is counsel of record. This includes, without limitation, all pending Social Security cases and all cases seeking monetary or equitable relief in which the United States is involved as a civil litigant. The General Order does not affect habeas corpus cases pending or filed under Chapter 153 of Title 28. This General Order suspends and continues, during the stay, any and all events and deadlines in the affected civil litigation (whether established by order, rule, or agreement), including but not limited to any scheduled proceedings, hearings, and/or discovery and pleading dates. No party will be required to take any steps in civil litigation affected until expiration of the stay. The Court warns litigants that this General Order does not purport to affect rights to, or deadlines concerning, appeal from any decision of this Court, which will continue to operate and issue orders in the normal course. Any litigant affected by this General Order may seek relief from the order by motion. The Court may, in any particular case, vary the effect or operation of this General Order by a separate order. The Court shall distribute this General Order: (a) by electronic service to all registered CM/ECF users; (b) by first-class mail to unregistered civil litigants, including pro se litigants, and to attorneys pending pro hac vice admission; and (c) by posting the General Order on the Court's public website. This General Order does not operate as a stay of any injunction or restraining order entered by any judge of this court. The Court shall clarify the status of case schedules upon expiration of the stay and dependent on the timing of the funding resolution. Signed by the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall on 10/2/2025: Mailed notice. (tg, ) (Entered: 10/02/2025)

Oct 03, 2025

MAILED Order 16 to Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz IDOC # Y36386 Danville Correctional Center 3820 East Main Street Danville, IL 61834 (cn, )

#17

Nov 14, 2025

ORDER GENERAL ORDER 25-0028: RESETTING OF DEADLINES IN CIVIL MATTERS INVOLVING THE UNITED STATES AS A PARTY IT APPEARING THAT as a result of the partial federal government shutdown, this Court amended General Order 25-0024 suspending as of October 1, 2025, all civil litigation in which the United States of America, its agencies, its officers, or employees were parties, with the stated intention of clarifying schedules in such cases upon the expiration of the lapse in appropriations; and IT FURTHER APPEARING THAT appropriations having been restored to fund the Department of Justice and other Executive Branch agencies, with employees beginning to report for work beginning on November 13, 2025; accordingly IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the stay entered by General Order 25-0024 is hereby lifted, and any and all deadlines in affected civil cases (whether established by order, rule, or agreement.), including but not limited to any scheduled discovery and pleading dates, are extended by 49 days. The Court warns litigants that this General Order does not purport to affect rights to or deadlines concerning appeal from any decision of this Court. Any litigant affected by this General Order may seek relief from the order by motion. Trial dates in the affected cases will stand, although they may need to be adjusted in individual cases to account for the extension of other dates. The Court may, in any particular case, vary the effect or operation of this General Order by a separate ruling. The Court shall distribute this General Order: (a) by electronic service to all registered CM/ECF users; (b) by first-class mail to unregistered civil litigants, including pro se litigants, and to attorneys pending pro hac vice admission; and (c) by posting the General Order on the Court's public website. Signed by the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall on 11/14/2025: Mailed notice. (tg, ) (Entered: 11/15/2025)

#18

Dec 11, 2025

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: Defendant's motion for enlargement of time 10 is granted. Defendant must answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint on or before 1/16/2026. A telephonic tracking status is set for 2/17/2026 at 9:30 A.M. The parties are to use the following call-in number: 1-855-244-8681, Access Code: 2315 003 3696. The public and media representatives may have access to the hearing via the same number. Audio recording of the hearing is not permitted; violations of this prohibition may result in sanctions. Participants are directed to keep their device muted when they are not speaking. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 12/11/2025)

#19

Dec 31, 2025

ANNUAL REMINDER: Pursuant to Local Rule 3.2 (Notification of Affiliates), any nongovernmental party, other than an individual or sole proprietorship, must file a statement identifying all its affiliates known to the party after diligent review or, if the party has identified no affiliates, then a statement reflecting that fact must be filed. An affiliate is defined as follows: any entity or individual owning, directly or indirectly (through ownership of one or more other entities), 5% or more of a party. The statement is to be electronically filed as a PDF in conjunction with entering the affiliates in CM/ECF as prompted. As a reminder to counsel, parties must supplement their statements of affiliates within thirty (30) days of any change in the information previously reported. This minute order is being issued to all counsel of record to remind counsel of their obligation to provide updated information as to additional affiliates if such updating is necessary. If counsel has any questions regarding this process, this LINK will provide additional information. Signed by the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall on 12/31/2025: Mailed notice. (tg, ) (Entered: 01/01/2026)

#20

Jan 08, 2026

MOTION by Defendant Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz for enlargement of time (Received via PC Scan on 01/08/26.) (lj, ) Modified on 2/25/2026 (exr, ). (Entered: 01/08/2026)

#21

Jan 14, 2026

RESPONSE by United States of America to MOTION by Defendant Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz for extension of time 20 Plaintiff's Response to Defendant's Motion to Enlarge His Complaint Response Period and Response to His Motion for Appointment of Counsel (Hollis, Christopher) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

#22

Jan 26, 2026

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: The Court appoints Yajaira Yepez of Newcomb Immigration at 2842 Story Road, Ste 20, San Jose, CA 95127 to represent Defendant in accordance with counsel's trial bar commitment under Local Rule 83.37 (N.D. Ill.). Recruited counsel falls within the class of users listed in the Electronic Public Access fee schedule adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States; therefore, counsel shall be exempt from the payment of fees for access via PACER to the electronic case files maintained in this Court for this case. The Court instructs recruited counsel to open a separate PACER account to be used only for the above-captioned case, and fees are exempt for this case only. Counsel shall not be exempt from the payment of fees incurred in connection with other uses of the PACER system in this court. This exemption is valid immediately and for the duration of counsel's participation in the matter. This exemption may be revoked at the discretion of the Court at any time. Counsel shall contact the PACER Service Center at 1-800-676 6856 or via the link below to create the new PACER account and to make any necessary arrangements for the waiver. The previously scheduled telephonic status hearing set for 2/17/2026 at 9:30 A.M. stands. The parties are to use the following call-in number: 1-855-244-8681, Access Code: 2315 003 3696. The public and media representatives may have access to the hearing via the same number. Audio recording of the hearing is not permitted; violations of this prohibition may result in sanctions. Participants are directed to keep their device muted when they are not speaking. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

#23

Feb 06, 2026

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendant Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz by Yajaira Yepez (Yepez, Yajaira) (Entered: 02/06/2026)

#24

Feb 13, 2026

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: At the Court's instance, the telephonic status hearing set for 2/17/2026 at 9:30 A.M. is reset for 2/17/2026 at 9:45 A.M. TIME CHANGE ONLY. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#25

Feb 18, 2026

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: Telephonic status hearing held on 2/17/2026. Appointed counsel for Defendant requested additional time to become acquainted with the case and file a responsive pleading to the complaint. Defendant shall answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint on or before 3/19/2026. A continued telephonic status hearing is set for 4/8/2026 at 9:45 A.M. The parties are to use the following call-in number: 1-855-244-8681, Access Code: 2315 003 3696. The public and media representatives may have access to the hearing via the same number. Audio recording of the hearing is not permitted; violations of this prohibition may result in sanctions. Participants are directed to keep their device muted when they are not speaking. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

#26

Feb 27, 2026

MOTION by Plaintiff United States of America for protective order Joint Motion for Entry of Agreed Confidentiality Protective Order (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order [PROPOSED] Agreed Confidentiality Protective Order)(Hollis, Christopher) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

#27

Mar 04, 2026

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: The parties' joint motion for protective order 26 is granted. Enter separate agreed confidentiality protective order. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 03/04/2026)

#28

Mar 04, 2026

AGREED CONFIDENTIALITY PROTECTIVE ORDER signed by the Honorable John F. Kness on 3/4/2026. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 03/04/2026)

#29

Mar 17, 2026

DEFENDANT'S ANSWER to Complaint FOR REVOCATION OF NATURALIZATION by Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service certificate of service)(Yepez, Yajaira) (Entered: 03/17/2026)

#30

Apr 07, 2026

MOTION by Plaintiff United States of America for judgment on the pleadings Plaintiff's Opposed Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and Memorandum in Support (Hollis, Christopher) (Entered: 04/07/2026)

#31

Apr 07, 2026

MOTION by Plaintiff United States of America to set a briefing schedule Agreed Briefing Schedule for Plaintiff's Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings (Hollis, Christopher) (Entered: 04/07/2026)

#32

Apr 07, 2026

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: In view of the recently filed motion 30 for judgment on the pleadings and the agreed briefing schedule submitted 31 by the parties, the hearing set for 4/8/2026 is stricken. The proposed briefing schedule will be formalized by separate order. Mailed notice (jfk) (Entered: 04/07/2026)

#33

Apr 17, 2026

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: Plaintiff's motion to set a briefing schedule 31 is granted. Accordingly, the Court adopts the parties' proposed briefing schedule on Plaintiff's motion for judgment on the pleadings 30 : Defendant's response shall be filed on or before 5/5/2026. Plaintiff's reply, if any, shall be filed on or before 5/19/2026. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 04/17/2026)

#34

May 05, 2026

MOTION by Defendant Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz for extension of time to file response/reply as to motion for judgment on the pleadings 30 Unopposed Motion (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service COS)(Yepez, Yajaira) (Entered: 05/05/2026)

#35

May 07, 2026

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness: Defendant's unopposed motion for extension of time to file response to Plaintiff's motion for judgment on the pleadings 34 is granted. Defendant's response shall be filed on or before 6/2/2026. Plaintiff's reply, if any, shall be filed on or before 6/16/2026. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 05/07/2026)

#36

Jun 02, 2026

RESPONSE by Defendant Carlos Alberto Aleman-Vertiz to motion for judgment on the pleadings 30 Response and Memo (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service)(Yepez, Yajaira) (Entered: 06/02/2026)

#37

Jun 16, 2026

REPLY by Plaintiff United States of America to Response 36 Plaintiff's Reply Supporting Its Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings (Hollis, Christopher) (Entered: 06/16/2026)