Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00239/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00239-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1651 Petition for Writ of Mandamus

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ZAIMING LIN,

Plaintiff,

v.

ALBERTO GONZALEZ, et al.,

Defendants.

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CIV-F-07-0239 AWI SMS

ORDER RE: MOTION TO DISMISS

CASE AS MOOT

Plaintiff Zaiming Lin, proceeding pro se, sued a number of federal officials over a delay

in receiving permanent U.S. residence, a green card. She filed suit on February 14, 2007, stating:

“I would like to file this lawsuit to solve this problem, so that I can get my green card as soon as

possible. I am filing this lawsuit based on two different laws: the first is 'Writ of Mandamus'; and

second one is 'Petition for a Hearing on Naturalization and Immigration application pursuant to

1447(b) and 1421(c). I would like to have clear answer that I have not been discriminated and

have my green card approved within 60 days from the submission of my lawsuit case/complaint.”

Doc. 1, Complaint, at 2-3. Title 8 U.S.C. §1447(b) provides that “If there is a failure to make a

determination under section 335 [8 U.S.C. §1446] before the end of the 120-day period after the

date on which the examination is conducted under such section, the applicant may apply to the

United States district court for the district in which the applicant resides for a hearing on the

matter.” Title 8 U.S.C. §1446 deals with the investigation and examinations of applicants who

Case 1:07-cv-00239-AWI -SMS Document 23 Filed 09/24/07 Page 1 of 2
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seek to be naturalized as U.S. citizens. Title 8 U.S.C. §1421(c) states “A person whose

application for naturalization under this title is denied, after a hearing before an immigration

officer under section 336(a) [8 U.S.C. §1447(a)], may seek review of such denial before the

United States district court or the district in which such person resides.” Notwithstanding the

fact that the referenced law concerns the process of naturalization rather than permanent

residence, Plaintiff’s complaint appears to deal only with her application for a green card. 

The Government Defendants have made a motion to dismiss the case as moot based on

the fact that Plaintiff’s green card application was approved on May 30, 2007. See Doc. 20, Part

2. As far as the court can determine, receipt of a green card was the only legal relief sought in

the complaint. Her request for a clear answer from Government Defendants regarding

discrimination does not appear to be relief the court can grant. There is no request for monetary

damages of any kind. As Plaintiff has received her green card, there is no longer any controversy

between the parties and the case is moot. See Peng v. Gonzales, 2007 WL 2141270, *5 (N.D.

Cal. 2007).

Defendants’ motion to dismiss case as moot is GRANTED. The clerk’s office is directed

to close the case file. 

 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 24, 2007 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

0m8i78 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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