Pedro Vasquez Perdomo and other plaintiffs are challenging policies implemented by South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and other defendants related to courthouse arrests and immigration enforcement. The case appears to involve a 'Courthouse Arrest Policy' for which defendants must produce a certified administrative record, and includes potential class action claims that remain pending before the court.
U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong established comprehensive deadlines governing all aspects of trial preparation, including discovery cutoffs, motion practice, and exhibit preparation. The court emphasized that 'any motion challenging the adequacy of discovery responses must be filed timely, served, and calendared sufficiently in advance of the relevant discovery cut-off date.' Judge Frimpong also noted that the court has 'a strong commitment to fostering the development of new and diverse lawyers in the legal community' and encourages participation by less experienced attorneys at trial.
The scheduling order follows a February 19, 2026 conference where parties discussed pretrial logistics and resolved disputes over preliminary injunction briefing. A motion for class certification filed by plaintiffs remains in abeyance, with the court contemplating additional briefing before deciding the matter. The parties have also stipulated that defendants will produce the certified administrative record for the courthouse arrest policy.
Trial is scheduled to begin in 2027 with extensive pretrial deadlines beginning in September 2026 for class certification discovery. The court's detailed order governs everything from jury selection procedures to courtroom decorum, reflecting the complex nature of the civil rights litigation. The case represents part of broader challenges to state-level immigration enforcement policies affecting courthouse access.