Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_12-cv-01719/USCOURTS-cand-4_12-cv-01719-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 465
Nature of Suit: Other Immigration Actions
Cause of Action: 08:1329 Writ of Mandamus to Adjudicate Visa Petition

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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

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ADERAW YESHIWAS,

Petitioner, No. C 12-1719 PJH

v. ORDER VACATING HEARING DATE

U.S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION

SERVICES,

Respondent.

_______________________________/

On April 5, 2012, petitioner Aderaw Yeshiwas filed this petition for a writ of

mandamus to correct an error in a naturalization certificate. Named as respondent is

United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”). On July 5, 2012, petitioner

filed a proof of service, purporting to show personal service of the summons on “USCIS -

District Counsel,” by delivery to “Designated Service in-basket” located at an address in

San Francisco, California, on April 16, 2012, by counsel for petitioner.

On July 5, 2012, petitioner filed a motion for writ of mandamus, with no attached

proof of service. On August 21, 2012, petitioner filed another proof of service, purporting to

show service of the summons on “USCIS District Counsel,” on July 25, 2012. On October

24, 2012, petitioner filed another “motion for writ of mandamus,” noticed for hearing on

December 6, 2012. On December 4, 2012, after the case was reassigned to the

undersigned district judge, petitioner renoticed the motion for hearing on January 9, 2012. 

On December 21, 2012, petitioner renoticed the motion for hearing on January 30, 2012.

To date, the named respondent has not entered an appearance, which the court

surmises is most likely due to the fact that service was improper and that petitioner failed to

join the proper parties. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i) governs service on federal

agencies and federal employees. 

Case 4:12-cv-01719-PJH Document 17 Filed 01/02/13 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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To serve a United States agency or corporation, or a United States officer or

employee sued only in an official capacity, a party must serve the United

States and also send a copy of the summons and of the complaint by

registered or certified mail to the agency, corporation, officer, or employee. 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(2). Further, to serve the United States, a party must 

(A)(i) deliver a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the United States

attorney for the district where the action is brought – or to an assistant United

States attorney or clerical employee whom the United States attorney

designates in a writing filed with the court clerk – or 

(ii) send a copy of each by registered or certified mail to the civil-process clerk

at the United States attorney's office; 

(B) send a copy of each by registered or certified mail to the Attorney General

of the United States at Washington, D.C.; and 

(C) if the action challenges an order of a nonparty agency or officer of the

United States, send a copy of each by registered or certified mail to the

agency or officer. 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(1).

Here, petitioner has failed to properly serve the correct respondents. Under Rule

4(i)(3)(A), the court is required to “allow a party reasonable time to cure its failure to . . .” to

serve all persons required to be served under Rule 4(i)(2), if the petitioner has served “the

United States Attorney or the Attorney General of the United States.” In this case,

however, petitioner has not served the U.S. Attorney or the Attorney General. 

Nevertheless, rather than dismissing the petition, the court will allow plaintiff to

amend it, naming the proper respondents. The amended petition shall be filed no later than

January 16, 2013. No later than January 30, 2013, petitioner shall file a proof of service

showing service in conformance with Rule 4(i).

The January 30, 2013 hearing date is VACATED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 2, 2013 ______________________________

PHYLLIS J. HAMILTON

United States District Judge

Case 4:12-cv-01719-PJH Document 17 Filed 01/02/13 Page 2 of 2