Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_04-cv-04643/USCOURTS-cand-4_04-cv-04643-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 05:702 Administrative Procedure Act

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

YICK HUNG SIM,

 Petitioner,

 v.

UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND

IMMIGRATION SERVICES, et al.,

 Respondents.

 /

No. C 04-4643 CW

ORDER DISMISSING

PETITION AS MOOT

AND SETTING

BRIEFING

SCHEDULE FOR

PETITIONER’S

REQUEST FOR FEES

AND COSTS

On November 2, 2004, Petitioner Yick Hung Sim filed a

petition for review of the Department of Homeland Security’s

decision denying naturalization. Petitioner alleged that the

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), in

rejecting Petitioner’s appeal of the agency’s denial of his

naturalization application, had failed to consider two

disability waivers that would have exempted Petitioner from the

English language requirement and the requirement that he

demonstrate certain knowledge of United States history and

government. The petition for review requested a de novo

proceeding on Petitioner’s naturalization application and

attorneys’ fees and costs under Title 28 U.S.C. section 2412.

Case 4:04-cv-04643-CW Document 21 Filed 07/05/05 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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On February 16, 2005, the government filed a notice of

intent to reopen Petitioner’s naturalization application for

favorable adjudication, stating that CIS had “reconsidered”

Petitioner’s medical certifications and had approved the

disability waivers. On June 3, 2005, the government filed a

notice of favorable adjudication of Petitioner’s naturalization

application and requested that the Court dismiss this action as

moot. On June 13, Petitioner filed an opposition in which he

requested that the Court retain jurisdiction over his case in

order to consider his request for attorneys’ fees and costs

under section 2412.

Title 28 U.S.C. section 2412(d)(1)(B) states as follows:

A party seeking an award of fees and other expenses shall,

within thirty days of final judgment in the action, submit

to the court an application for fees and other expenses

which shows that the party is a prevailing party and is

eligible to receive an award under this subsection, and the

amount sought, including an itemized statement from any

attorney or expert witness representing or appearing in

behalf of the party stating the actual time expended and the

rate at which fees and other expenses were computed. The

party shall also allege that the position of the United

States was not substantially justified. Whether or not the

position of the United States was substantially justified

shall be determined on the basis of the record (including

the record with respect to the action or failure to act by

the agency upon which the civil action is based) which is

made in the civil action for which fees and other expenses

are sought.

Thus, the Court may dismiss the petition for review as moot and

still retain jurisdiction to consider Petitioner’s request for

attorneys’ fees and costs.

Petitioner was scheduled to appear at an oath ceremony and

become a naturalized United States citizen on June 21, 2005. 

Thus, his petition for review of the Department of Homeland

Case 4:04-cv-04643-CW Document 21 Filed 07/05/05 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Security’s decision denying naturalization is dismissed as moot,

and judgment shall enter accordingly. Petitioner may, within

thirty days of the date of this order, file an application for

attorneys’ fees and costs in accordance with Title 28 U.S.C.

section 2412. The government may, within two weeks of the date

that Petitioner files his application for fees and costs, file

an opposition. Petitioner may file a reply one week later. The

matter will be taken under submission on the papers.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 7/5/05 /s/ CLAUDIA WILKEN 

CLAUDIA WILKEN

United States District Judge

Case 4:04-cv-04643-CW Document 21 Filed 07/05/05 Page 3 of 3