Western District of Texas • 5:26-cv-00031

#1

Jan 05, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Filing fee $ 5) filed by Dianys Valdes Crusellas. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Restricted Attachment Proof of Lawful Permanent Residence of Mother and Passport of Arlenys Martinez Valdes/ Order of Release, # 3 Envelope) (var2) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 1/6/2026.] (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Jan 05, 2026

Referral Judge Selected: Magistrate Judge Julie K. Hampton randomly selected to receive referrals. This case will be automatically referred to the randomly selected magistrate judge under the governing Special Order or divisional procedures. (var2) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 1/6/2026.]

#2

Jan 06, 2026

NOTICE to Pro Se Litigant of Case Opening. Party notified, filed. (var2) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 1/6/2026.] (Entered: 01/06/2026)

#3

Jan 06, 2026

CLERKS NOTICE of Exclusion, filed. (var2) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 1/6/2026.] (Entered: 01/06/2026)

#4

Jan 06, 2026

Clerk's Notice of Redaction Responsibilities and Privacy Protection. Parties notified, filed. (SDTX_CMECF_AutoDocket, ) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 1/6/2026.] (Entered: 01/06/2026)

#5

Jan 06, 2026

ORDER TRANSFERRING PETITION to WDTX - San Antonio Division (Signed by Magistrate Judge Julie K Hampton) Parties notified. (lmp2) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 1/6/2026.] (Entered: 01/06/2026)

#6

Jan 06, 2026

Case electronically transferred in from the Southern District of Texas-Corpus Christi Division; Case Number 2:26-cv-00005. (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Jan 06, 2026

Remark

Jan 06, 2026

Filing Fee Received

Jan 06, 2026

Remark (No Doc#)

Jan 06, 2026

Case assigned to Judge Jason K. Pulliam. CM WILL NOW REFLECT THE JUDGE INITIALS AS PART OF THE CASE NUMBER. PLEASE APPEND THESE JUDGE INITIALS TO THE CASE NUMBER ON EACH DOCUMENT THAT YOU FILE IN THIS CASE. (vl)

Jan 06, 2026

If ordered by the court, all referrals will be assigned to Magistrate Judge Bemporad (vl)

Jan 06, 2026

Interdistrict transfer to WDTX - San Antonio Division. Case transferred electronically. Case terminated on 1/6/2026, filed. (lmp2) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 1/6/2026.]

Jan 06, 2026

Filing fee: $5 re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, receipt number 200001574, filed. (var2) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 1/6/2026.]

Jan 06, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Jan 06, 2026

To be Referred to SA Mag Judge

#7

Jan 07, 2026

STANDING ORDER for procedure in cases before Judge Pulliam. All parties and counsel are directed to review Judge Pulliam's Standing Order containing rules of practice, particularly the requirement of conference before filing a Motion to Dismiss under Federal Rule 12(b)(6) and demonstration of complete diversity. Failure to follow these rules of practice could result in the Court striking the Motion to Dismiss on its own initiative without further notice. Signed by Judge Jason Pulliam. (r013) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

#8

Jan 14, 2026

Order to Show Cause

#9

Jan 14, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt

#10

Jan 27, 2026

Supplement to

#11

Feb 10, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt

#12

Feb 10, 2026

Amended Complaint

#13

Feb 10, 2026

Order

#14

Feb 10, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt

#15

Feb 17, 2026

Response

#16

Feb 17, 2026

Response

#17

Feb 18, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt

#18

Mar 11, 2026

Response

May 08, 2026

Order on Motion to Expedite

#20

May 21, 2026

TEXT ORDER GRANTING 12 PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS. Petitioner claims that Respondents have violated procedural due process rights under the Fifth Amendment based on a significant presence in the United States and/or an improper revocation of release. Respondents have submitted a response in opposition. After reviewing the briefing, provided evidence, and applicable law, the Court grants the petition based on the law as set out and analyzed in Longoria Mendoza v. Noem, ___ F. Supp. 3d ___, ___, No 5:26-CV-0728-JKP, 2026 WL 809441 (W.D. Tex. Feb. 26, 2026) and numerous other cases decided by the undersigned. While there are differences between this case and Longoria Mendoza, none warrant a different result. For reasons previously stated in Longoria Mendoza, the Court finds that (1) it has jurisdiction to consider the arguments presented in the instant habeas petition; (2) any asserted failure to exhaust administrative remedies is excused; (3) Respondents have violated Petitioner's procedural due process rights; and (4) fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412 are not available in habeas corpus proceedings like this one. The Court treats the instant action solely as a habeas action under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 and declines to consider any claim other than the alleged violation of procedural due process. The Court has considered the arguments Respondents make in response and rejects them for reasons stated in prior cases. Under the facts and circumstances of this case, this Court concludes Petitioner's detention is unlawful, and habeas relief is proper. Because Petitioner has has established a significant presence in the United States that requires due process protection, and there is no indication of flight risk or danger to the community, it is ORDERED that on or before May 23, 2026, Respondents shall RELEASE Petitioner Arlenys Martinez Valdes from custody to a public location, under appropriate conditions of release. If at the time of detention on September 19, 2025, Petitioner was complying with terms of release imposed through an unexpired parole or other active release, the imposed appropriate conditions of release shall be no more restrictive than those in place before the detention at issue. Respondents must NOTIFY Petitioner's counsel, if any, of the exact location and exact time of release as soon as practicable and no less than two hours before release. Any possible or anticipated removal or transfer of Petitioner under this present detention is PROHIBITED. No later than the next business day after the ordered release date, Respondents shall FILE a status report to confirm whether Petitioner has been released. A written final judgment will be issued separately to summarize the orders of the Court and to close this habeas case. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (lc) (Entered: 05/21/2026)

#21

May 21, 2026

Judgment AND ~Util - Set/Clear Flags

May 21, 2026

Order