Southern District of Texas • 1:26-cv-00021

#1

Jan 15, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ATXSDC-34869826) filed by Mohammed Raed Karaja. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet) (Waterhouse, Amanda) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

#2

Jan 15, 2026

Request for Issuance of Summons as to BRET BRADFORD, TODD LYONS, KRISTI NOEM, WARDEN of El Valle Detention Center, Attorney General of the United States, US Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, filed. (Attachments: # 1 Continuation, # 2 Continuation, # 3 Continuation, # 4 Continuation, # 5 Continuation) (Waterhouse, Amanda) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

#3

Jan 15, 2026

Clerk's Notice of Redaction Responsibilities and Privacy Protection. Parties notified, filed. (SDTX_CMECF_AutoDocket, ) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

#4

Jan 16, 2026

Summons Issued as to (1) Warden El Valle Detention Center; (2) Bret Bradford; (3) Todd Lyons; (4) Kristi Noem; (5) U.S. Attorney; (6) Pamela Bondi, U.S. Attorney General. Issued summons returned to plaintiff by NEF, filed. (dlr1) (Entered: 01/16/2026)

#5

Jan 16, 2026

Opposed MOTION for Temporary Restraining OrderMotions referred to Karen Betancourt. by Mohammed Raed Karaja, filed. Motion Docket Date 2/6/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Proposed Order) (Waterhouse, Amanda) (Entered: 01/16/2026)

Jan 16, 2026

Referral Judge Selected

Jan 16, 2026

Referral Judge Selected: Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt randomly selected to receive referrals. The District Judge has referred this case to the selected Magistrate Judge for all pretrial matters, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 636(b). The parties may also consent to having the case assigned to the selected Magistrate Judge. (dlr1)

#6

Jan 20, 2026

ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt (Signed by Judge Rolando Olvera) Parties notified. (dlr1) (Entered: 01/20/2026)

#7

Jan 27, 2026

ORDER. To expedite the Court's review, Respondents are ORDERED to submit a response to the TRO no later than 14 days after service of these filings. Petitioner is ORDERED to file proof of service of both the TRO and Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Dkt. No. 1) as a docket entry no later than February 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. CST. Once Respondents are served, the Petitioner is not to be removed; his status quo is to remain as is pending resolution of this case. (Signed by Judge Rolando Olvera) Parties notified. (bav1) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

#8

Jan 28, 2026

RETURN of Service of SUMMONS Executed as to Bret Bradford served on 1/20/2026, answer due 3/23/2026; Todd Lyons served on 1/20/2026, answer due 3/23/2026; Kristi Noem served on 1/20/2026, answer due 3/23/2026; Warden El Valle Detention Center served on 1/20/2026, answer due 3/23/2026, filed. (Attachments: # 1 Continuation Return of Service, # 2 Continuation Return of Service, # 3 Continuation Return of Service, # 4 Continuation Return of Service, # 5 Continuation Return of Service) (Waterhouse, Amanda) (Entered: 01/28/2026)

#9

Jan 28, 2026

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE of 5 Opposed MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Mohammed Raed Karaja, filed. (Waterhouse, Amanda) (Entered: 01/28/2026)

#10

Jan 28, 2026

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. 2243. Petitioner is responsible for serving a copy of this Order and their Petition upon the Respondents. Petitioner is reminded that pursuant to the Order of U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera (Dkt. No. 7), Petitioner must file proof of service of the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Dkt. No. 1) as a docket entry no later than February 6, 2026 at 5 p.m. CST. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt) Parties notified. (bav1) (Entered: 01/28/2026)

#11

Jan 29, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Alexander McDonough on behalf of Bret Bradford, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, filed. (McDonough, Alexander) (Entered: 01/29/2026)

#12

Feb 05, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Alexander McDonough on behalf of Bret Bradford, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, filed. (McDonough, Alexander) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

#13

Feb 05, 2026

RESPONSE to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, Motion to Dismiss, and Motion for Summary Judgment, filed by Bret Bradford, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit) (McDonough, Alexander) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

#14

Feb 25, 2026

RESPONSE to 13 Response, filed by Mohammed Raed Karaja. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Proposed Order) (Waterhouse, Amanda) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#15

Apr 10, 2026

It is ORDERED that Respondents provide timely status updates concerning any administrative review of Petitioner's detention as relevant updates occur. In addition, Respondents shall file a status update summarizing these administrative developments by May 8, 2026. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to deliver copies of the most recent petition 1 and this Order to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas by electronic mail to USATXS.CivilNotice@usdoj.gov. (Served electronically on USAO per MOU.) (Signed by Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt) Parties notified. (hms1) (Entered: 04/10/2026)

#17

Apr 14, 2026

ORDER entered - Respondents are ORDERED to submit an update regarding both (1) the outcome of the custody review interview that was scheduled for February 17, 2026, see Dkt. No. 14 -1 at 13, and (2) the status of custody review under § 241.13, if any. Respondents must submit this update no later than April 20, 2026, at 5 p.m. CST.(Signed by Judge Rolando Olvera) Parties notified. (hms1) (Entered: 04/14/2026)

#18

Apr 20, 2026

STATUS REPORT by Bret Bradford, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, filed. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit) (McDonough, Alexander) (Entered: 04/20/2026)

#19

Apr 22, 2026

ORDER granting 5 Motion for Temporary Restraining Order. Respondents are ENJOINED from further holding Petitioner in custody and ORDERED to release him subject to supervision. This Temporary Restraining Order shall expire at 5:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, or by Order of the Court. (Signed by Judge Rolando Olvera) Parties notified. (dlr1) (Entered: 04/22/2026)

#20

Apr 23, 2026

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Objections to R&R due by 5/7/2026 (Signed by Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt) Parties notified. (dar1)

#21

May 06, 2026

Order

#22

May 08, 2026

Advisory

#23

May 20, 2026

Miscellaneous Relief

#24

May 21, 2026

ORDER entered. The R&R (Dkt. No. 20 ) is ADOPTED. Accordingly, the Petition (Dkt. No. 1 ) is GRANTED and the MSJ (Dkt. No. 13 ) is DENIED. Respondents are ORDERED to release Petitioner subject to supervision. Petitioner's Motion for TRO Extension (Dkt. No. 23) is further DENIED as moot. The Clerk of the Court is ORDERED to close this case. (Signed by Judge Rolando Olvera) Parties notified. (hms1)