District of New Jersey • 1:26-cv-00649

#1

Jan 21, 2026

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

#2

Jan 21, 2026

TEXT ORDER This matter comes before the Court upon Petitioner's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241, Dkt. No. 1, (the "Petition"). Petitioner challenges his immigration detention without a bond hearing. In accordance with Rule 4 of the Rules Governing 2254 Cases ("Habeas Rule 4"), applicable to § 2241 cases through Rule 1(b), scope of the Rules, this Court has screened the Petition for dismissal and determined dismissal without a full answer is not warranted. Respondents shall file an expedited answer to the Petition within 7 days, addressing any effect of Khalil v. President, United States of America, Nos. 25-2162 & 25-2357 (3d Cir. Jan. 15, 2026) on this matter, as well as the merits of the Petition. Pursuant to the All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651, Petitioner shall not be transferred or removed from New Jersey during the pendency of this habeas proceeding. So Ordered by Chief Judge Renee Marie Bumb on 01/21/2026. (Costigan, Roberta) (Entered: 01/21/2026)

Jan 21, 2026

Order

Jan 21, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Jan 21, 2026

Case Assigned to Chief Judge Renee Marie Bumb. (ps)

#3

Jan 26, 2026

Substitution of Attorney - Attorney FRANCES C. BAJADA terminated. Attorney ANDREW BOCCIO for JONATHAN FLORENTINO,ANDREW BOCCIO for TODD M LYONS,ANDREW BOCCIO for KRISTI NOEM,ANDREW BOCCIO for LUIS SOTO added.. (BOCCIO, ANDREW) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

#4

Jan 27, 2026

RESPONSE to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by JONATHAN FLORENTINO, TODD M LYONS, KRISTI NOEM, LUIS SOTO. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A (Form I-213))(BOCCIO, ANDREW) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

#5

Feb 05, 2026

REPLY to Response re 4 Response to Habeas Petition. (CARDENAS, VERONICA) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

#6

Mar 05, 2026

TEXT ORDER This matter comes before the Court upon Petitioner Prince Ofori-Attah's Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 ("Petition" Dkt. No. 1), challenging his detention by immigration authorities under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(1) as unlawful. Respondents filed an answer to the Petition ("Answer" Dkt. No. 4.) Petitioner filed a reply brief. ("Reply" Dkt. No. 5.") Respondents do not challenge this Court's jurisdiction and do not dispute the material facts alleged in the Petition. Answer. Respondents submit Petitioner is lawfully detained as "an applicant for admission" without a bond hearing under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(1). (Answer at 1-3.) They rely on a statutory interpretation rejected by this Court and courts within this district. Rodriguez v. Rokosky, No. 25-17419 (CPO), 2025 WL 3485628, at *1 (D.N.J. Dec. 3, 2025); Perez Silva v. Soto, No. 25-16577 (JKS), 2025 WL 3485658, at *4 (D.N.J. Dec. 4, 2025); and A.J.R. v. Rokosky, No. 25-17279 (RMB), 2026 WL 25056 (D.N.J. Jan. 5, 2026). (Id.) Based on these prior decisions, the Court holds that Petitioner is subject to discretionary detention under § 1226(a), which entitles him to a bond hearing. Therefore, it is ORDERED that the Petition (Dkt. No. 1) is GRANTED. In accordance with 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), within seven days of this Order, Respondents shall provide Petitioner with an individualized bond hearing before an immigration judge who shall assess whether Petitioner presents a flight risk or a danger to the community pursuant to 8 C.F.R. § 236.1(c)(8), (d)(1). Within three days of that bond hearing, Respondents shall file a written notice of the outcome of that hearing with this Court. So Ordered by Chief Judge Renee Marie Bumb on 03/05/2026. (Costigan, Roberta) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

Mar 05, 2026

Order