Case 1:17-cv-00255-TSC Document 35 Filed 03/15/17 Page 1 of 3 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PARS EQUALITY CENTER, IRANIAN Civil Action No. 1:17-cv-255 AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL IRANIAN AMERICAN Hon. Tanya S. Chutkan COUNCIL, PUBLIC AFFAIRS ALLIANCE OF IRANIAN AMERICANS, INC., et al., Plaintiffs, v. DONALD J. TRUMP et al., Defendants. PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION Plaintiffs1—individual Iranian nationals and four national Iranian-American organizations—hereby move for a preliminary injunction as set forth below and for the reasons set forth in the accompanying Memorandum of Law in Support of Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction (“Memorandum”). See Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(a). Plaintiffs seek to enjoin Defendants from enforcing or implementing certain provisions of President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order No. 13,780, entitled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” As demonstrated in the Memorandum, the Executive Order and Defendants’ 1 This Motion for a preliminary injunction is filed, by and through undersigned counsel, on behalf of organizational Plaintiffs Pars Equality Center, Iranian American Bar Association, National Iranian American Council and Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans, Inc. as well as individual Plaintiffs Ali Asaei, Shiva Hissong, John Doe #1, John Doe #3, John Doe #5, on behalf of himself and his minor child Baby Doe #1, John Doe #7, John Doe #8, Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #4, Jane Doe #8, Jane Doe #9, Jane Doe #10, Jane Doe #11, Jane Doe #12, and Jane Doe #13. The remaining individual Plaintiffs were harmed by Defendants’ conduct and remain Plaintiffs in the above-captioned matter for purposes of seeking permanent relief. Case 1:17-cv-00255-TSC Document 35 Filed 03/15/17 Page 2 of 3 implementation of it violate the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, the Immigration and Nationality Act and its implementing regulations, and the Administrative Procedure Act. Defendants should be enjoined from enforcing or implementing §§ 2(c)-(e), 3, 6(a), and 6(c) of the Executive Order. Pursuant to Local Rule 7(m), counsel for Plaintiffs state that they have conferred with opposing counsel regarding the filing of this motion for preliminary injunction. Defendants intend to file a response to the motion for preliminary injunction in accordance with the Court’s scheduling order. Dkt. 33. For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiffs respectfully request that this Court grant their Motion for Preliminary Injunction. A proposed Order is attached hereto. 2 Case 1:17-cv-00255-TSC Document 35 Filed 03/15/17 Page 3 of 3 Dated: March 15, 2017 Respectfully submitted, /s/ John A. Freedman Cyrus Mehri (D.C. Bar # 420970) John A. Freedman (D.C. Bar # 453075) Joanna K. Wasik (D.C. Bar # 1027916) David P. Gersch (D.C. Bar # 367469) Amelia Friedman (D.C. Bar # 1033583) R. Stanton Jones (D.C. Bar # 987088) MEHRI & SKALET, PLLC Nancy L. Perkins (D.C. Bar # 421574) 1250 Connecticut Ave., NW Ronald A. Schechter (D.C. Bar # 245019) Suite 300 Robert N. Weiner (D.C. Bar # 298133) Washington, DC 20036 Samuel M. Witten (D.C. Bar # 378008) (202) 822-5100 Lindsey D. Carson (D.C. Bar # 992620) (202) 822-4997 (fax) Sally L. Pei (D.C. Bar # 1030194) [email protected] Sonia Tabriz (D.C. Bar # 1025020) Stephen K. Wirth (D.C. Bar # 1034038) Kristen Clarke (D.C. Bar # 973885) ARNOLD & PORTER Jon Greenbaum (D.C. Bar # 489887) KAYE SCHOLER LLP LAWYERS’ COMMITTEE FOR 601 Massachusetts Ave., NW CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW Washington, DC 20001 1401 New York Ave., NW (202) 942-5000 Suite 400 (202) 942-5999 (fax) Washington, DC 20005 [email protected] (202) 662-8600 (202) 783-0857 (fax) Christopher M. Odell* [email protected] ARNOLD & PORTER KAYE SCHOLER LLP 700 Louisiana Street, Suite 1600 Houston, TX 77002 (713) 576-2400 (713) 576-2499 (fax) [email protected] Counsel for Plaintiffs *Pro hac vice motion forthcoming 3 Case 1:17-cv-00255-TSC Document 35-1 Filed 03/15/17 Page 1 of 54 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PARS EQUALITY CENTER, IRANIAN No. 1:17-cv-255 (TSC) AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL IRANIAN AMERICAN Electronically Filed COUNCIL, PUBLIC AFFAIRS ALLIANCE OF IRANIAN AMERICANS, INC., et al., Hon. Tanya S. Chutkan Plaintiffs, v. DONALD J. TRUMP et al., Defendants. MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION Case 1:17-cv-00255-TSC Document 35-1 Filed 03/15/17 Page 2 of 54 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT ...................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 2 FACTUAL BACKGROUND......................................................................................................... 5 A. Mr. Trump’s Campaign Pledge to Ban Muslims from the United States............... 5 B. The January 27 Executive Order............................................................................. 6 C. Defendants’ Chaotic Implementation of the January 27 Executive Order ............. 9 D. Multiple Courts Enjoin Enforcement of the January 27 Executive Order............ 10 E. President Trump Announces Plans to Revise the January 27 Executive Order ... 12 F. The March 6 Executive Order............................................................................... 14 G. Effects of the March 6 Executive Order on Plaintiffs........................................... 18 ARGUMENT…………................................................................................................................ 23 I. Plaintiffs Are Likely To Succeed on the Merits of Each of Their Claims........................ 24 A. Establishment Clause............................................................................................ 24 B. Equal Protection.................................................................................................... 28 1. The March 6 Executive Order Fails Strict Scrutiny.................................. 28 2. The March 6 Executive Order Fails Even Rational-Basis Review........... 31 C. Due Process........................................................................................................... 32 D. Administrative Procedure Act............................................................................... 33 1. Defendants’ Actions Are Contrary to the INA and Implementing Regulations. .............................................................................................. 33 2. Defendants’ Actions Disregard APA Procedural Requirements. ............. 40 i Case 1:17-cv-00255-TSC Document 35-1 Filed 03/15/17 Page 3 of 54 I. Plaintiffs Will Suffer Immediate, Irreparable Harm Absent Preliminary Relief.............. 40 II. The Balance of the Equities and the Public Interest Support Preliminary Relief............. 42 CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................. 45 ii Case 1:17-cv-00255-TSC Document 35-1 Filed 03/15/17 Page 4 of 54 TABLE OF AUTHORITIES Page(s) CASES Arizona Dream Act Coalition v. Brewer, 818 F.3d 901 (9th Cir. 2015) ...................................................................................................45 Aziz v. Trump, No. 17-cv-116, 2017 WL 386549 (E.D. Va. Jan. 28, 2017)....................................................10 Aziz v. Trump, No. 17-cv-116, 2017 WL 580855 (E.D. Va. Feb. 13, 2017) ...................................................12 Bonham v. D.C. Library Admin., 989 F.2d 1242 (D.C. Cir. 1993).........................................................................................24, 25 CBS Corp. v. FCC, 785 F.3d 699 (D.C. Cir. 2015)...........................................................................................37, 40 Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah, 508 U.S. 520 (1993).................................................................................................................25 City of Cleburne, Tex. v. Cleburne Living Ctr., 473 U.S. 432 (1985).................................................................................................................31 City of New Orleans v. Dukes, 427 U.S. 297 (1976).................................................................................................................28 City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co., 488 U.S. 469 (1989).................................................................................................................30 Darweesh v. Trump, No. 17-cv-480, 2017 WL 388504 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 28, 2017)...................................................10 Gordon v. Holder, 632 F.3d 722 (D.C. Cir. 2011).................................................................................................23 Graham v. Richardson, 403 U.S. 365 (1971).................................................................................................................28 Haitian Centers Council, Inc. v. McNary, 807 F. Supp. 928 (E.D.N.Y. 1992) ..........................................................................................35 Harisiades v. Shaughnessy, 342 U.S. 580 (1952).................................................................................................................28 Harris v. McRae, 448 U.S. 297 (1980).................................................................................................................28 iii