Western District of Texas • 5:26-cv-00344

#1

Dec 24, 2025

COMPLAINT for Writ of Habeas Corpus, and Immediate Injunctive Relief against Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the National Benefits Center, Director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Attorney General heading the Department of Justice (AG DOJ). Filing fees $ 405.00, filed by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summon(s), # 3 Certification of Emergency, # 4 Notice of Conventional Filing)Case restricted pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2. (jc) (Additional attachment(s) added on 12/24/2025: # 5 Exhibits A to E) (jc). [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/24/2025)

#2

Dec 24, 2025

Clerks Notice of Judge Assignment to Judge Melissa Damian. Pursuant to 28 USC 636(c), the parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Magistrate Judge Ellen F. D'Angelo is available to handle any or all proceedings in this case. If agreed, parties should complete and file the Consent form found on our website. It is not necessary to file a document indicating lack of consent. Pro se (NON-PRISONER) litigants may receive Notices of Electronic Filings (NEFS) via email after filing a Consent by Pro Se Litigant (NON-PRISONER) to Receive Notices of Electronic Filing. The consent form is available under the forms section of our website. (jc) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/24/2025)

#3

Dec 24, 2025

Clerk's Notice to Filer re: Electronic Case. Filing fees not paid. Filer is instructed to file a Notice of Compliance of Filing Fee and electronically pay the correct fees of $405.00. Summons(es) will not be issued until the filing fee is paid or an order granting the Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis is entered. (jc) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/24/2025)

#4

Dec 24, 2025

NOTICE OF CONVENTIONAL FILING of 1 COMPLAINT for Writ of Habeas Corpus, and Immediate Injunctive Relief, by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez (jc) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/24/2025)

#5

Dec 24, 2025

Notice of Compliance of Filing Fee $405.00, receipt number AFLSDC-19071608, Electronic Civil Case Filing re 3 Clerk's Notice to Filer re: Electronic Case, (Granoff, Morgan) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/24/2025)

#6

Dec 24, 2025

NOTICE of Change of Address/Contact Information; Change of Email; Change of Law Firm Name; by Morgan Elizabeth Granoff (Granoff, Morgan) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/24/2025)

#7

Dec 24, 2025

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE: This Court finds that the Certification of Emergency is insufficient to demonstrate that the Complaint presents a need for emergency relief. The Certification itself includes only a conclusory representation that the case presents an emergency but includes no explanation of why that is the case. Review of the Complaint sheds no further light on why the circumstances warrant emergency relief given that Petitioner only speculates that he may be designated for removal. Therefore, on the record before this Court, there is no apparent basis for immediate, emergency relief, nor has Petitioner demonstrated entitlement to immediate issuance of a writ of habeas corpus. Nonetheless, this Court finds that a show cause order is warranted. See attached Order for full details. Signed by Judge Melissa Damian on 12/24/2025. (mul) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/24/2025)

Dec 24, 2025

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus found in 1, filed by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez.(bc)

Dec 24, 2025

Deadlines set re ECF NO. 7 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. Show Cause Response due by 12/29/2025. (jc) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.]

#8

Dec 29, 2025

NOTICE of Filing Proposed Summons(es) Notice of Filing Proposed Summonses by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez re 3 Clerk's Notice to Filer re: Electronic Case, 1 Complaint,,, filed by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez, 5 Notice of Compliance of Filing Fee-$405.00 Electronic Civil Case Filing filed by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez (Attachments: # 1 Summon(s) Joseph B. Edlow, # 2 Summon(s) Terri A. Robinson, # 3 Summon(s) Todd M. Lyons, # 4 Summon(s) Kristi Noem, # 5 Summon(s) Pamela Bondi, # 6 Summon(s) U.S. Attorney Office) (Granoff, Morgan) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/29/2025)

#9

Dec 29, 2025

CLERK'S NOTICE - Attorney Admissions has accepted the address and email information change request(s) as submitted through attorneys PACER account for attorney Morgan E. Granoff re 6 Notice of Change of Address, Email or Law Firm Name (nwn) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/29/2025)

#10

Dec 29, 2025

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Alexander N. DerGarabedian on behalf of Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the National Benefits Center, Director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Attorney General heading the Department of Justice (AG DOJ). Attorney Alexander N. DerGarabedian added to party Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the National Benefits Center(pty:dft), Attorney Alexander N. DerGarabedian added to party Director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)(pty:dft), Attorney Alexander N. DerGarabedian added to party Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)(pty:dft), Attorney Alexander N. DerGarabedian added to party Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)(pty:dft), Attorney Alexander N. DerGarabedian added to party United States Attorney General heading the Department of Justice (AG DOJ)(pty:dft). (DerGarabedian, Alexander) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/29/2025)

#11

Dec 29, 2025

PAPERLESS ORDER ON COURT PRACTICE IN CASES WITH MULTIPLE DEFENDANTS THIS CAUSE is before the Court upon a sua sponte review of the record. To better manage the orderly progress of the case, it is hereby ORDERED as follows:1. Plaintiff shall file proof of service, as to each Defendant, within seven (7) days of perfecting service on each Defendant. 2. Defendants shall file their responses and motions jointly. a. If there are conflicts of position, the co-Defendants shall file a motion for leave to file separate responses or motions, in which they must describe what those conflicts are.b. If the co-Defendants need more than twenty (20) pages for their joint responses or motions, they shall file a motion for leave to file excess pages, which the Court will consider expeditiously. 3. The co-Defendants may file separate answers to the Complaint. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the time for responsive pleadings--for all Defendants--begins to run once all Defendants have either (1) been served or (2) waived service. If the Defendants face response periods of different lengths--say, because one Defendant has been personally served whereas another has waived service--all Defendants will be subject to the longest of those response periods. 4. Although all Defendants will be subject to the longest of all response periods, each served Defendant must still file a notice of appearance within twenty-one (21) days of being served with the Complaint (or sixty (60) days if service is waived).5. Failure to comply with these procedures may result in sanctions, including the striking of the motion(s) or response(s). Signed by Judge Melissa Damian on 12/29/2025. (mul) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/29/2025)

#12

Dec 29, 2025

Summons Issued as to Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the National Benefits Center, Director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Attorney General heading the Department of Justice (AG DOJ), U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (pc) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/29/2025)

#13

Dec 29, 2025

Defendant's MOTION to Change Venue by Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the National Benefits Center, Director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Attorney General heading the Department of Justice (AG DOJ). Responses due by 1/12/2026. (DerGarabedian, Alexander) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/29/2025)

#14

Dec 31, 2025

Unopposed NOTICE Notice of Consent to Transfer Venue by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez re 13 Defendant's MOTION to Change Venue (Granoff, Morgan) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/31/2025)

#15

Dec 31, 2025

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO TRANSFER VENUE DE 13 AND TRANSFERRING MATTER TO MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA. Closing Case. Signed by Judge Melissa Damian on 12/31/2025. See attached document for full details. (gqa) [Transferred from flsd on 1/2/2026.] [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 12/31/2025)

#16

Jan 02, 2026

Case transferred in from District of Florida Southern; Case Number 1:25-cv-26088. File received electronically [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 01/02/2026)

#17

Jan 02, 2026

CERTIFICATE of service by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez re 12 Summons Issued as to USA, 1 Complaint, 11 Order Proof of Service on Defendants #1-6. (Granoff, Morgan). [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 01/02/2026)

#18

Jan 05, 2026

Unopposed MOTION to Change Venue / Transfer Case Petitioner's Motion to Transfer Venue by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez. (Granoff, Morgan) [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 01/05/2026)

#19

Jan 06, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Kevin Huguelet on behalf of Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the National Benefits Center, Director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Attorney General heading the Department of Justice (AG DOJ) (Huguelet, Kevin) [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 01/06/2026)

#20

Jan 07, 2026

CIVIL Action Order Signed by All Divisional Judges on 1/7/2026. (WRW) [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 01/07/2026)

#21

Jan 07, 2026

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT under Rule 7.1, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule 3.03 by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez. (Granoff, Morgan) [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 01/07/2026)

#22

Jan 16, 2026

ANSWER to 1 Complaint by Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the National Benefits Center, Director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Attorney General heading the Department of Justice (AG DOJ). (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit I-830)(Huguelet, Kevin) [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 01/16/2026)

#23

Jan 20, 2026

ORDER granting 18 Motion to Transfer Venue. The Clerk shall transfer this case to the Western District of Texas for all further proceedings and close the Fort Myers file. Signed by Judge John E. Steele on 1/20/2026. (RKR) [Transferred from Florida Middle on 1/22/2026.] (Entered: 01/20/2026)

#24

Jan 22, 2026

Case electronically transferred in from the Middle District of Florida-Ft. Myers Division; Case Number 2:26-cv-00005. (Entered: 01/22/2026)

Jan 22, 2026

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

Jan 22, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Jan 22, 2026

To be Referred to SA Mag Judge

Jan 22, 2026

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

Jan 22, 2026

Case assigned to Judge Fred Biery. 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. (rqr)

#25

Jan 23, 2026

ORDER FOR SERVICE AND FURTHER ORDERS OF THE COURT. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the District Clerk shall furnish the Office of the United States Attorney in San Antonio, Texas, with copies of the Petition (ECF No. 1) and this Order. Delivery by certified mail, return receipt requested. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents shall file a response to the petition within five (5) days of the date of service. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, if Petitioner elects to file a reply, Petitioner may do so no later than 7 days after the Respondents file their answers/responses. IT IS FINALLY ORDERED that any possible or anticipated removal or transfer is IMMEDIATELY STAYED until further order from this Court. Respondents shall not transfer the above-named Petitioner outside of this judicial district during the pendency of this litigation and until further Order of this Court allowing removal or transfer.. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (rqr) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

#26

Jan 23, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt of 25 Order, along with 1 COMPLAINT for Writ of Habeas Corpus, (rqr) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

#27

Jan 23, 2026

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Juan Angel Gomez on behalf of Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez. Attorney Juan Angel Gomez added to party Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez(pty:pet) (Gomez, Juan) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

#28

Jan 23, 2026

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Juan Angel Gomez ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number ATXWDC-21264408) by on behalf of Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez. (Gomez, Juan) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

#29

Jan 23, 2026

NOTICE of Filing substitution of parties by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez (Gomez, Juan) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

#30

Jan 23, 2026

RESPONSE Response to Habeas by Manuel Alejandro Leal Eguez. (Gomez, Juan) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

#31

Feb 03, 2026

Response

#32

Feb 04, 2026

Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice

#33

Feb 09, 2026

Strike

#34

Feb 10, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt

#35

Feb 24, 2026

Order

#36

Feb 24, 2026

Judgment

#37

Feb 26, 2026

Notice of Filing

#38

Feb 26, 2026

Advisory to the Court

#39

Mar 05, 2026

Status Report