Chris Geidner
@chrisgeidner.bsky.social
DOJ has been doing this to block in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants see:
https://www.lawdork.com/p/doj-manufactures-another-lawsuit but that was regarding state laws and policies. This is the reverse.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick
@reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
· 7h
🚨Per @kyledcheney.bsky.social, earlier today the DOJ and Texas colluded with Reed OConnor to erase a Biden-era regulation permitting immigration judges to administratively close removal cases.
Texas filed this morning, DOJ filed a consent decree hours later, and OConnor entered final judgment.
STATE OF TEXAS
Plaintiff,
on so
V.
Civil Action No. 7:26-CV-00070-0
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, ET AL.,
Defendants.
ORDER AND FINAL JUDGMENT
Before the Court is the Parties" Joint Motion for Entry of a Consent Judgment. ECF No. 3.
Having considered the Motion, the Complaint (ECF No. I), and applicable law, the Court GRANTS the Motion. Accordingly, the Court hereby DECLARES that the challenged regulation, Efficient Case and Docket Management in Immigration Proceedings, 89 Fed. Reg. 46,742 (May 29, 2024) {Administrative Closure Rule"}, is in excess of statutory authority and contrary
to law.
The Court further DECLARES that no statute authorizes immigration judges to indefi-
nitely administratively close or suspend adjudication of a case before them.'
The Court further ORDERS, ADJUDGES AND DECREES as follows:
1. The Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §$ 1331, 1346, and
136l, and is authorized to award the requested relief under 5 U.S.C. $$ 702, 703, and
706; 8 U.S.C. §5 1361, 2201, and 2202; and the Court's inherent equitable powers;
'See Hemandez-Serrano v: Barr, 981 F.3d 459, 465-66 (6th Cir. 2020).
Case 7:26-cv-00070-O Document 5 Filed 06/22/26 Page 2 of 2 PagelD 76
2. Defendants, as well as their successors, agents, subordinate agencies, and employees, are hereby permanently enjoined from enforcing the Administrative Closure Rule;
3. Defendants, as well as their successors, agents, subordinate agencies, and employees, are permanently enjoined from promulgating regulations that permit immigration judges the authority to administratively close removal proceedings without reaching the merits of a case absent an express statutory basis to do so;
4. The Administrative Closure Rule is hereby vacated;
5. The Parties enter into this final Consent Judgment voluntarily and waive any right to appeal from this Judgment;2
6. All remaining requests for relief are dismissed without prejudice.
This final judgment is issued pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Pr
10:07 PM · Jun 22, 2026