Tatiana Zaytseva v. Alejandro Mayorkas, et al.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL MINUTES— GENERAL Case No. 8:24-cv-02252-JWH-KES Date January 14, 2026 Title Tatiana Zaytseva v. Alejandro Mayorkas, et al. Present: The Honorable JOHN W. HOLCOMB, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Clarissa Lara Not Reported Deputy Clerk Court Reporter Attorney(s) Present for Plaintiff(s): Attorney(s) Present for Defendant(s): None Present None Present Proceedings: ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE REGARDING DISMISSAL FOR MOOTNESS In October 2024 Plaintiff Tatiana Zaytseva commenced the instant action against Defendants Alejandro Mayorkas, in his official capacity as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; Ur M. Jaddou, in his official capacity as the Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”); and David M. Radel, in his official capacity as the Director for the Los Angeles Asylum Office. Zaytseva seeks a writ of mandamus ordering Defendants to issue a decision on her pending Form I-589 Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal (the “Application”’)." In April 2025 the parties filed a Joint Stipulation to stay the instant action pending the adjudication of Zaytseva’s Application,” which this Court granted.* 1 Compl. (the “Complaint”) [ECF No. 1]. 2 Joint Stip. to Stay Case Pending Adjudication of Application (the “Joint Stipulation”’) [ECF No. 20]. 3 Order Granting the Joint Stipulation [ECF No. 21]. Page 1 of 3 ENBRAL. TERAI S— Initials of Deputy Clerk cla In December 2025 Defendants filed a notice of mootness.4 Specifically, in their Notice, Defendants assert that this action is moot because the USCIS has rendered a decision in connection with Zaytseva’s Application.5 Defendants further state that they have conveyed that information to Zaytseva’s counsel of record so that Zaytseva may seek the dismissal of this case, but Zaytseva’s counsel has not responded.6 Federal courts have limited jurisdiction, possessing only the power authorized by Article III of the Constitution and the related statutes that Congress has passed. See Espinoza v. Union of Am. Physicians & Dentists, AFSCME Loc. 206, 562 F. Supp. 3d 904 , 910 (C.D. Cal. 2022), aff’d, 2023 WL 6971456 (9th Cir. Oct. 23, 2023) (citing Bender v. Williamsport Area Sch. Dist., 475 U.S. 534, 541 (1986)). Standing is a jurisdictional limitation, and it is “an essential and unchanging part of the case-or-controversy requirement of Article III.” Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555, 560 (1992). “The requisite personal interest that must exist at the commencement of the litigation (standing) must continue throughout its existence (mootness).” United States Parole Comm’n v. Geraghty, 445 U.S. 388, 396 (1980) (internal quotation omitted). A case is moot when either (1) “the issues presented are no longer live”; or (2) the parties lack a “legally cognizable interest in the outcome.” Id. When a case becomes moot, the court is “required to dismiss it.” Dufresne v. Veneman, 114 F.3d 952 , 954 (9th Cir. 1997). In her Complaint, Zaytseva asks the Court to issue a writ of mandamus ordering Defendants to issue a ruling on her pending Application.7 It appears that the USCIS has issued such a ruling.8 In view of Defendants’ representation, the Court believes the issues in the instant case are no longer live and, therefore, that the instant case is moot. See Geraghty, 445 U.S. at 396 . For those reasons, the Court, on its own motion, hereby ORDERS as follows: 4 Defs.’ Notice of Mootness (the “Notice”) [ECF No. 22]. [5] Id. at 1:3–5. [6] Id. at 1:5–7. 7 See generally Complaint. 8 See Notice 1:3–4. CIVIL MINUTES— Page 2 of 3 Initials of Deputy Clerk cla 1. Plaintiff Zaytseva is ORDERED to SHOW CAUSE in writing no later than January 30, 2026, why this case should not be dismissed as moot. 2. A hearing on this Order to Show Cause is SET for February 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 9D of the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 411 W. 4th Street, Santa Ana, California. Counsel for the parties are DIRECTED to appear in person at that date and time. IT IS SO ORDERED. CIVIL MINUTES— Page 3 of 3 Initials of Deputy Clerk cla