Gupta v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

Background

Ankar Gupta brought the action without a lawyer. The complaint he submitted was unsigned. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11(a) requires every pleading, motion, and other court paper filed by an unrepresented party to be signed by that party.

Order

The court directed Gupta to sign and submit the attached signature page within 30 days of the order. A document submitted by mail or in person must contain a handwritten signature that complies with Rule 11(a). If Gupta submits the document by email to ProSe@nysd.uscourts.gov, he may use an electronic signature or a typed name with "/s/ Ankar Gupta" on the signature line. The document must identify docket number 25-CV-761 (JPO).

If Gupta complies, the case will be processed under the Clerk’s Office procedures. If he does not comply within the allowed time, the action will be dismissed without prejudice, meaning the order does not bar a later filing on that basis.

Appeal and disposition

The court certified that any appeal from this order would not be taken in good faith and denied permission to appeal without prepaying fees. Judge J. Paul Oetken did not address the underlying claims in this order; he directed Gupta to correct the missing signature before the case proceeds.

Classification basis

This is a procedural order addressing a filing requirement and the consequences of failing to meet it. It does not decide the merits of Gupta’s claims.