District of New Jersey • 3:26-cv-00565

#1

Jan 17, 2026

First PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17006907.), filed by DENNIS ROMERO ESPINOZA. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Brief, # 4 Text of Proposed Order, # 5 Text of Proposed Order)(FERNANDEZ, REGIS) (Entered: 01/17/2026)

Jan 17, 2026

Case Assigned to Judge Robert Kirsch. (ps)

Jan 17, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Jan 20, 2026

Notice of Judicial Preferences. Click here for the Judge's Individual Procedure Requirements. (jjc, )

Jan 20, 2026

Notice of Judicial Preferences

#2

Jan 26, 2026

TEXT ORDER: Petitioner Dennis Leonardo Romero Espinoza, a citizen of Ecuador, has filed a habeas petition contending that he is unlawfully detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A) and is entitled to release or a bond hearing under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a). Petitioner alleges he was originally "apprehended at the border years ago and released" and does not have a final order of removal; nevertheless, ICE arrested and detained him without bond on January 17, 2026, at a scheduled "check in" in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. (ECF No. 1, Petition at 12-15.) In Mejia v. Cabezas, No. 25-CV-17094, 2025 WL 3294405, at *2 (D.N.J. Nov. 14, 2025), this Court held that a similarly situated noncitizen could only be detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a). It is, therefore, ORDERED that in accordance with 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), within seven (7) days of the date of entry of this Text Order, Respondents shall provide Petitioner with an individualized bond hearing before an immigration judge who shall assess whether he presents a flight risk or a danger to the community, pursuant to 8 C.F.R. § 236.1(c)(8), (d)(1). It is further ORDERED that within three (3) days of that bond hearing, Respondents shall file a written notice of the outcome of that hearing with this Court. Alternatively, if Respondents contend that this case is factually or legally distinguishable, they shall file an expedited answer within five (5) days of the date of entry of this Text Order, and Petitioner may file a reply within three (3) days of the date of filing of Respondents expedited answer. Pursuant to the All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651, Respondents are temporarily enjoined from transferring Petitioner from New Jersey or removing him from the United States while this habeas proceeding is pending. So Ordered by Judge Robert Kirsch on 1/26/2026. (ijf) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan 26, 2026

Text Order

#3

Feb 03, 2026

Substitution of Attorney

#4

Feb 03, 2026

Letter

#5

Feb 04, 2026

TEXT ORDER: In light of Respondents' update provided in docket entry 4, this matter shall be marked CLOSED. So Ordered by Judge Robert Kirsch on 02/04/2026. (pdm) (Entered: 02/04/2026)

Feb 04, 2026

Order of Dismissal