Other LanguagesLast updated: 11/12/20
| Total amicus briefs against the federal government since Jan. 2017 | 96 |
| Total briefs authored by Washington State Attorney General's Office | 14 |
| Total briefs led by other state attorneys general | 82 |
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Successful Amicus – Completed Cases
| California et al. v. Zinke et al. | |
| Subject: | Oil, gas, and coal valuation rule |
| Date Filed: | 6/14/17 |
| Leading State(s): | Washington |
| Joining States: | Oregon, Maryland, New York |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the U.S. Department of Interior’s delay in publishing regulations governing the valuation of oil and gas from federal on- and off-shore leases, as well as coal produced from federal and tribal leases.
| Fulcher v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
| Subject: | Use of veterans’ medical benefits for sex reassignment surgery |
| Date Filed: | 6/28/17 |
| Leading State(s): | Washington |
| Joining States: | California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, D.C. |
Overview
In support of a challenge urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide transgender veterans access to medically necessary health care.
| California et al. v. Zinke et al. | |
| Subject: | Waste methane rule |
| Date Filed: | 8/22/17 |
| Leading State(s): | Washington |
| Joining States: | Oregon, Maryland, New York |
Overview
In support of a case challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision not to issue new methane standards.
| Garza v. Hargan | |
| Subject: | HHS abortion policy for unaccompanied immigrant minors |
| Date Filed: | 10/24/17 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the Trump Administration’s attempt to block unaccompanied immigrant minor women from obtaining an abortion.
| Oceana v. Ross | |
| Subject: | Drift Gillnet Rule |
| Date Filed: | 8/27/18 |
| Leading State(s): | Washington |
| Joining States: | None |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the Trump Administration’s decision not to promulgate a proposed rule regarding gillnetting proposed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
| Galvez v. Cissna | |
| Subject: | Special Immigrant Juvenile Status |
| Date Filed: | 3/25/19 |
| Leading State(s): | Washington |
| Joining States: | None |
Overview
In support of a challenge to a new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policy that refuses to recognize state court findings for vulnerable immigrant youth 18 and older applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, a pathway to legal residency.
| County of Santa Clara/City of SF. v. Trump | |
| Subject: | “Sanctuary cities” |
| Date Filed: | 6/28/17; 2/12/18 |
| Leading State(s): | California |
Overview
In support of states arguing that disentangling local law enforcement from federal immigration law promotes public safety.
| Moda Health Plan, Inc. v. United States | |
| Subject: | Risk-corridor payments under the Affordable Care Act |
| Date Filed: | 8/28/17; 3/8/19; 9/6/19 |
| Leading State(s): | Oregon |
Overview
In support of a case arguing that the Affordable Care Act requires the federal government to pay risk-corridor payments to insurers.
| In re United States | |
| Subject: | Rescission of DACA |
| Date Filed: | 12/13/17 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of five related cases challenging the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
| City and County of San Francisco v. Barr | |
| Subject: | Byrne JAG grants |
| Date Filed: | 5/29/19 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of a challenge to U.S. DOJ imposition of immigration-related conditions on the Byrne JAG grant program.Challenge to U.S. DOJ imposition of immigration-related conditions on the Byrne JAG grant program.
| City of Providence v Barr et al. | |
| Subject: | Law enforcement grants |
| Date Filed: | 11/12/19 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of City of Providence's challenge to the Department of Justice's imposition of immigration-related conditions on the Byrne JAG grant program.
| City of Chicago v. Sessions | |
| Subject: | Byrne JAG grants |
| Date Filed: | 1/04/18; 1/31/18; 2/22/18; 11/15/18 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of a lawsuit challenging the Department of Justice’s decision to impose immigration-related conditions on the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program for law enforcement agencies.
| East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Trump | |
| Subject: | Interim Final Rule eliminating certain asylum claims |
| Date Filed: | 11/14/18; 12/5/18; 5/15/19; 10/15/19 |
| Leading State(s): | Washington |
| Joining States: | Massachusetts, California, New York |
Overview
In support of an ACLU case challenging the Administration’s purported termination of asylum claims for those who enter illegally along the southern border.
| Grace v. Barr | |
| Subject: | Asylum |
| Date Filed: | 10/2/18 |
| Leading State(s): | Washington, D.C. |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the Justice Department imposing a general ban on immigrant asylum claims based on domestic or gang-related violence.
| Whole Women's Health Alliance v. Hill | |
| Subject: | Access to safe reproductive health care |
| Date Filed: | 8/21/19 |
| Leading State(s): | Illinois |
Overview
In support of states' interest in protecting the health and safety of residents, including promoting access to safe health care and reproductive health care.
| NRDC and State of Vermont v. EPA et al. | |
| Subject: | Mercury reporting rule |
| Date Filed: | 12/14/18 |
| Leading State(s): | Oregon |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the EPA’s new exemptions to the mercury reporting rule.
| Zzyym v. Pompeo et al. | |
| Subject: | Non-binary gender designation on passports |
| Date Filed: | 5/15/19 |
| Leading State(s): | Oregon |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the U.S. State Department's refusal to issue a passport with a non-binary gender designation.
| Allegheny Defense Project v FERC | |
| Subject: | FERC tolling during reconsideration |
| Date Filed: | 1/17/20 |
| Leading State(s): | Maryland |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioin's procedures that allow projects to be approved before opponents can obtain judicial review.
Successful Amicus – Case Ongoing
| Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) v. Sessions | |
| Subject: | Executive Office for Immigration Review directive regarding NWIRP services |
| Date Filed: | 5/12/17 |
| Leading State(s): | Washington |
| Joining States: | None |
Overview
In support of a lawsuit challenging an Executive Office for Immigration Review directive that the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project cease and desist from providing limited legal representation to individuals in removal proceedings.
| California et al. v. Azar et al. | |
| Subject: | Denial of contraceptive coverage for female employees |
| Date Filed: | 12/6/17; 5/29/18 |
| Leading State(s): | Massachusetts |
Overview
In support of a lawsuit challenging interim rules allowing denial of health care coverage for contraceptive services to female employees on religious or moral grounds.
| Centro Presente v. Trump | |
| Subject: | Termination of TPS |
| Date Filed: | 6/25/18 |
| Leading State(s): | Massachusetts, California & the District of Columbia |
Overview
In support of a case challenging the Administration’s termination of Temporary Protected Status for nationals from El Salvador, Honduras, and Haiti.
| Sagat v. Trump | |
| Subject: | TPS restrictions |
| Date Filed: | 9/19/18 |
| Leading State(s): | Massachusetts |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the termination of Temporary Protected Status for nationals of certain countries that are affected by armed conflict or natural disaster—in this case Haiti.
| Massachusetts v. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | |
| Subject: | Religious exemptions to contraceptive care under the ACA |
| Date Filed: | 10/2/18 |
| Leading State(s): | Pennsylvania |
Overview
In support of Massachusetts’ suit to stop the federal government from implementing interim rules that authorize most employers with a religious or moral objection to contraception to block their employees, and their employees’ dependents, from receiving health insurance coverage for contraceptive care and services.
| Azar v. Garza | |
| Subject: | HHS abortion policy for unaccompanied immigrant minors |
| Date Filed: | 8/6/18 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of a case challenging the Health & Human Services Policy regarding abortions for unaccompanied immigrant minors.
| Al Otro Lado, Inc. v. Nielsen | |
| Subject: | Policies for processing asylum claims |
| Date Filed: | 2/21/19 |
| Leading State(s): | California |
Overview
In support of a lawsuit challenging the administration’s “turnback” policy forcing migrants to remain at the border when making an asylum claim.
| Flores v. Barr | |
| Subject: | Detention, treatment of minors at the border |
| Date Filed: | 7/9/19; 1/29/20 |
| Leading State(s): | California & Massachusetts |
Overview
In support of motion for temporary restraining order to compel compliance with the Flores Agreement related to detention of minors at the border and their treatment while in detention.
| Baltimore v. Trump | |
| Subject: | "Public Charge" definition |
| Date Filed: | 3/22/19 |
| Leading State(s): | California, Washington, D.C. |
Overview
In support of a challenge to new State Department definitions of "public charge" and "public benefit," which will make admission to the United States more difficult for immigrants from poorer nations.
| Physicians for Social Responsibility v. Wheeler (and 2 related cases) | |
| Subject: | EPA advisory committees |
| Date Filed: | 6/21/18; 8/7/18; 9/11/18; 8/19/19; 8/22/19 |
| Leading State(s): | Washington |
| Joining States: | California, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality |
Overview
In support of a challenge to an Environmental Protection Agency directive barring grant recipients from participating on advisory committees.
| Weingarten v U.S. Department of Education | |
| Subject: | Public Service Loan Forgiveness |
| Date Filed: | 11/22/19 |
| Leading State(s): | North Carolina |
Overview
In support of student borrower plaintiffs in their challenge over public service loan forgiveness.
| Clean Wisconsin et al. v. EPA, et al. | |
| Subject: | Challenge to designation of certain counties as in attainment of the 2015 ozone NAAQS |
| Date Filed: | 2/1/19 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of a lawsuit challenging some of EPA’s designations of counties “in attainment” of the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
| Ramos v. Nielsen | |
| Subject: | Termination of TPS |
| Date Filed: | 8/30/18; 2/7/19 |
| Leading State(s): | California |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the termination of Temporary Protected Status for nationals of certain countries that are affected by armed conflict or natural disaster — in this case El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan.
| Padilla v. Immigration & Customs Enforcement et al. | |
| Subject: | Bond hearings for asylum seekers |
| Date Filed: | 9/4/19 |
| Leading State(s): | Washington |
| Joining States: | California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C. |
Overview
In support of a challenge arguing that asylum seekers should be provided prompt bond hearings during the pendency of the asylum process.
| Make the Road New York v Pompeo | |
| Subject: | Public Charge rule |
| Date Filed: | 2/12/20 |
| Leading State(s): | New York, California |
Overview
In support of a challenge to U.S. Department of State and Heath & Human Services rules creating a new definition of a public charge.
| New York v. Wolf | |
| Subject: | Trusted traveler ban |
| Date Filed: | 7/17/20 |
| Leading State(s): | New Jersey |
Overview
In support of of New York’s challenge to the Department of Homeland Security’s imposition of “Trusted Traveler Ban” in response to New York law allowing driver’s licenses without regard to immigration status.
| Casa de Maryland v. Wolf | |
| Subject: | Asylum seeker work rules |
| Date Filed: | 8/3/20 |
| Leading State(s): | New York, Washington, D.C. |
Overview
In support of a challenge to Department of Homeland Security rules limiting employment authorization for immigrants seeking asylum.
| Amer. College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists v. FDA | |
| Subject: | Access to abortion medications during COVID |
| Date Filed: | 6/3/20, 8/4/20, 9/8/29 |
| Leading State(s): | New York, Maryland |
Overview
In support of petitioners seeking guarantees of access to abortion medications during the pandemic.
| Gomez v. Trump | |
| Subject: | Suspension of Immigration and work visas |
| Date Filed: | 8/7/20 |
| Leading State(s): | California, New York |
Overview
In support of a challenge to Presidential Proclamations unilaterally suspending much of the nation’s legal immigration system and several important non-immigrant work visa programs until at least Dec. 31, 2020.
| Immigration Legal Resource Center v. Wolf | |
| Subject: | Immigration – fee waivers |
| Date Filed: | 9/9/20 |
| Leading State(s): | California |
Overview
In support of a challenge to Department of Homeland Security Rule increasing fees and eliminating fee waivers for immigrants.
Other Amicus against the Trump Administration authored by Washington
| The Wilderness Society v. Trump (and related case) | |
| Subject: | National Monuments rescission |
| Date Filed: | 11/19/18 |
| Leading State(s): | Washington |
| Joining States: | Vermont, Rhode Island, Oregon, New York, New Mexico, Maryland, Maine, Hawaii, Massachusetts, California |
Overview
In support of lawsuits challenging the President’s partial rescission of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Utah.
Other Amicus against the Trump Administration
| Calvillo-Manriquez v. DeVos | |
| Subject: | “Partial relief” rule |
| Date Filed: | 10/10/18 |
| Leading State(s): | California |
Overview
In support of a private class action challenging the Department of Education’s “partial relief” rule for Corinthian Colleges student borrowers.
| Ostego 2000 et al. v. FERC et al. | |
| Subject: | NEPA rules calculating emissions from natural gas pipelines and infrastructure |
| Date Filed: | 12/3/18 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s announcement that it no longer will evaluate the environmental impacts of upstream or downstream greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas infrastructure projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
| Inland Empire-Immigrant Youth Collective v. Nielsen | |
| Subject: | Automatic termination of DACA status |
| Date Filed: | 12/21/18 |
| Leading State(s): | California |
Overview
In support of a lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Security practice of automatically terminating DACA status when issuing a notice to appear, without any right of review.
| Planned Parenthood of WI v. Azar | |
| Subject: | Title X Funding |
| Date Filed: | 5/15/18; 7/31/18; 9/12/18 |
| Leading State(s): | California |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the Department of Health & Human Services’ attempt to add application review criteria to Title X family planning funds.
| Maryland v. DOJ | |
| Subject: | Succession of the position of U.S. Attorney General |
| Date Filed: | 11/26/18 |
| Leading State(s): | Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. |
Overview
In support of a challenge arguing that the appointment of Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker violated U.S. law.
| Jennings v. Rodriguez | |
| Subject: | Guaranteed bond hearings for immigrants in detention |
| Date Filed: | 2/10/17 |
| Leading State(s): | California |
Overview
In support of the right of detained aliens to have periodic bond hearings during the course of their detention.
| English v. Trump & Mulvaney | |
| Subject: | Appointment power, CFPB succession |
| Date Filed: | 12/8/17; 2/6/18 |
| Leading State(s): | California |
Overview
In support of a case challenging the appointment of John M. “Mick” Mulvaney as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
| National Fair Housing Alliance v. Carson | |
| Subject: | Suspension of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule |
| Date Filed: | 6/5/18 |
| Leading State(s): | Maryland |
Overview
In support of a case challenging Housing & Urban Development’s decision to suspend implementation of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule, which requires participants to submit fair housing plans, until October of 2020.
| Aziz v. Trump | |
| Subject: | First Travel Ban |
| Date Filed: | 2/9/17 |
| Leading State(s): | Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the Trump Administration’s first travel ban.
| International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) v. Trump | |
| Subject: | Second Travel Ban |
| Date Filed: | 3/31/17; 4/19/17; 6/12/17; 6/27/17; 9/29/17 |
| Leading State(s): | New York, Illinois |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the Trump Administration’s second travel ban.
| Hawaii v. Trump | |
| Subject: | Second Travel Ban |
| Date Filed: | 4/20/17; 6/12/17; 7/10/17; 7/15/17; 9/29/17 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the Trump Administration’s second travel ban.
| Hawaii v. Trump | |
| Subject: | Third Travel Ban |
| Date Filed: | 10/31/17; 3/28/18 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of a challenge to the Trump Administration’s third travel ban.
| African Communities Together v. Trump | |
| Subject: | Deferred Enforced Departure protection |
| Date Filed: | 8/2/19 |
| Leading State(s): | Massachusetts & Minnesota |
Overview
In support of Liberian nationals challenging termination of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) protection.
| California Trout v. Hoopa Valley Tribe et al. | |
| Subject: | Clean Water Act waivers |
| Date Filed: | 9/27/19 |
| Leading State(s): | Oregon |
Overview
In support of challenge against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission arguing that states do not waive the authority to make Clean Water Act certifications when applicants withdraw before the one-year timeframe for state response and then reapply for certification.
| Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Trump | |
| Subject: | Denial of contraceptive coverage for female employees |
| Date Filed: | 11/27/17; 1/7/19; 3/25/19 |
| Leading State(s): | Massachusetts |
Overview
In support of a lawsuit challenging interim rules allowing denial of health care coverage for contraceptive services to female employees on religious or moral grounds.
| John Doe No. 1 v. Trump et al. | |
| Subject: | Suspension of Immigrant entry due to health care burdens |
| Date Filed: | 11/12/19; 2/6/20 |
| Leading State(s): | Oregon & California |
Overview
In support of an injuntion against enforcement of Presidential Proclamation No. 9945, titled “Presidential Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Will Financially Burden the United States Healthcare System.”
| Deotte v Azar | |
| Subject: | ACA contraceptive mandate |
| Date Filed: | 12/20/19 |
| Leading State(s): | Massachusettes |
Overview
In support of the State of Nevada's appeal of a denial of their motion to intervene to defend the ACA's contraceptive mandate.
| DHS v Thuraissigiam | |
| Subject: | Expedited removal proceedings |
| Date Filed: | 1/20/20 |
| Leading State(s): | Illinois |
Overview
In support of a challenge to expedited removal prodeedings, arguing plaintiffs are entitled to meaningful review under the Suspension Clause of the Constitution.
| Make the Road New York v Wolf | |
| Subject: | Expedited removal proceedings |
| Date Filed: | 1/23/20 |
| Leading State(s): | California |
Overview
In support of a challenge to a Department of Homeland Security order expanding the authority for expedited removal of immigrants arriving by land.
| U.T. v Barr | |
| Subject: | Third country agreements for asylum seekers |
| Date Filed: | 3/9/20 |
| Leading State(s): | California, Washington, D.C. |
Overview
In support of a challnge to Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security rules implementing safe third party agreements allowing removal of asylum seekers to signatory countries.
| HIAS v Trump | |
| Subject: | Refugee resettlement |
| Date Filed: | 6/1/20 |
| Leading State(s): | California, Illinois |
Overview
In support of a challnge to Executive Order 13888, which permits state and local governmental officials to veto the resettlement of refugees into their state or local community.
| Padilla Raudales v. Decker | |
| Subject: | Bail in deportation proceedings |
| Date Filed: | 6/3/20 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of petitioners on issue of whether the government may incarcerate someone without bail during deportation proceedings without showing that the person would likely abscond or be dangerous if released.
| New York v. HHS | |
| Subject: | Concience exemption |
| Date Filed: | 8/3/20 |
| Leading State(s): | California |
Overview
In support of States’ challenge to Health & Human Services rule creating comprehensive “conscience exemption” for persons or entities performing a healthcare-related service.
| National Urban League v. Ross | |
| Subject: | Shortened Census data collection |
| Date Filed: | 8/31/20 |
| Leading State(s): | New York |
Overview
In support of a challenge to Census Bureau decision to short time for data collection for 2020 census.
Successful vs. Unsuccessful
Briefs authored by Washington: 11 successful, 0 unsuccessful
Briefs authored by other states where Washington joined: 25 successful, 14 unsuccessful