Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-01796/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-01796-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 462
Nature of Suit: Naturalization, Petition For Hearing of Denial
Cause of Action: 8:1446 Petition for Naturalization Hearing

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

VLADISLAV VYACHESLAVOVICH

STARCHYK,

Plaintiff,

v.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND 

IMMIGRATION SERVICES,

Defendants.

No. 2:19-cv-1796 TLN DB PS

ORDER DIRECTING CLERK

TO SEND MATERIALS FOR SERVICE

AND REQUIRING SERVICE BY

UNITED STATES MARSHAL

Plaintiff Vladislav Starchyk is proceeding in this action pro se and in forma pauperis. 

This matter was referred to the undersigned in accordance with Local Rule 302(c)(21) and 28 

U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). On September 10, 2019, plaintiff filed a complaint and a motion to proceed 

in forma pauperis. (ECF Nos. 1 & 2.) Plaintiff’s complaint challenges the denial of plaintiff’s

petition for naturalization “N-400” application. (Compl. (ECF No. 1) at 6.) 

The court is required to screen complaints brought by parties proceeding in forma 

pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2); see also Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1129 (9th Cir. 

2000) (en banc). Here, the complaint alleges that defendants continue to deny plaintiff’s N-400 

application due to a failure to show good moral character. (Compl. (ECF No. 1) at 6.) 

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“[D]istrict courts have limited jurisdiction over the naturalization process.” Abghari v. 

Gonzales, 596 F.Supp.2d 1336, 1342 (C.D. Cal. 2009). Pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1421: 

A person whose application for naturalization under this subchapter 

is denied, after a hearing before an immigration officer under section 

1447(a) of this Title, may seek review of such denial before the 

United States district court for the district in which such person 

resides in accordance with chapter 7 of title 5. Such review shall be 

de novo, and the court shall make its own findings of fact and 

conclusions of law and shall, at the request of the petitioner, conduct 

a hearing de novo on the application.

8 U.S.C. § 1421(c). Accordingly, this court “is authorized to conduct a de novo review of” such 

N-400 applications. Hajro v. Barrett, 849 F.Supp.2d 945, 958 (N.D. Cal. 2012).

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s September 10, 2019 motion to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2) is 

granted. 

2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to issue process and to send plaintiff an instruction 

sheet for service of process by the United States Marshal, one USM-285 form for each defendant, 

a summons form, and an endorsed copy of plaintiff’s complaint filed September 10, 2019. (ECF 

No. 1.)

3. Within sixty (60) days after this order is served, plaintiff shall supply the U.S. Marshal

all information needed by the Marshal to effect service of process. The required documents shall 

be submitted directly to the United States Marshal either by personal delivery or by mail to: 

United States Marshals Service, 501 I Street, Suite 5600, Sacramento, CA 95814 (tel. 916-930-

2030). The court anticipates that, to effect service, the U.S. Marshal will require, for each 

defendant, at least:

a. One completed summons;

b. One completed USM-285 form;

c. One copy of the endorsed complaint, with an extra copy for the U.S. Marshal; 

and

d. One copy of the instant order.

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4. In the event the U.S. Marshal is unable, for any reason whatsoever, to effect service on 

a defendant within 90 days of receiving this order the Marshal is directed to report that fact, and 

the reasons for it, to the undersigned.

5. Within twenty (20) days after submitting the required materials to the United States 

Marshals Service, plaintiff shall file with this court a declaration stating the date on which 

plaintiff submitted the required documents to the United States Marshal. Failure to file the 

declaration in a timely manner may result in an order imposing appropriate sanctions.

6. Within sixty (60) days after receiving the necessary materials from plaintiff the United 

States Marshal is directed to serve process on defendants without prepayment of costs.

7. Plaintiff is cautioned that the failure to comply with this order may result in a 

recommendation that this action be dismissed.

DATED: March 30, 2020 /s/ DEBORAH BARNES 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

DLB:6

DB/orders/orders.pro se/starchyk1796.serv.ord

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