Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-00545/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-00545-38/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RAHINAH IBRAHIM,

Plaintiff,

 v.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND

SECURITY, et al.,

Defendants. /

No. C 06-00545 WHA

ORDER REGARDING

SECURITY SCREENING

OF COURT PERSONNEL

Although the Court previously held that court reporters need not be vetted by the

screening process generally required for clearance to view sensitive security information (SSI),

the undersigned has determined that one of the court reporters in San Francisco, Ms. Connie

Kuhl, has been already cleared to view classified information. As an accommodation to the

government, and without modifying any previously issued orders, the Court suggests that all

depositions be taken as evidentiary hearings in the San Francisco federal courthouse by court

reporter Kuhl, and that Ms. Kuhl also serve as the court reporter at trial. The government is free

to contact Ms. Kuhl to obtain additional information regarding her prior security clearance, and

further vet her as they see fit. Please let the undersigned know as soon as possible whether this

suggestion holds promise. 

The government should also be aware that the judicial assistant to the undersigned was

kindly contacted by Mr. Jarett Merk, a security specialist from the Justice Department, whose 

Case 3:06-cv-00545-WHA Document 307 Filed 01/06/10 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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understanding was that the undersigned’s law clerks and other court personnel would be subject

to background checks and security screening. No, the Court has already ruled that court

personnel will have access to SSI presented in this case and are not subject to the screening

process. This will include one law clerk to the undersigned (and his successor, if needed), the

deputy courtroom clerk, and the court’s judicial assistant as necessary. Very likely, Mr. Merk

was not made aware of the Court’s prior ruling on this matter, and the undersigned would

appreciate if government counsel contacted Mr. Merk directly to apprise him of the status of this

case. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 6, 2010. WILLIAM ALSUP

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:06-cv-00545-WHA Document 307 Filed 01/06/10 Page 2 of 2