Eastern District of California • 1:26-cv-00702

(HC) Espinoza Mendoza v. Noem

Active

Case Information

Filed: January 26, 2026
Assigned to: Jennifer L. Thurston
Referred to: Erica Grosjean
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause: 8:1105(a) Aliens: Habeas Corpus to Release INS Detainee
Active
Last Activity: April 22, 2026
Parties: View All Parties →

Docket Entries

#1
Jan 26, 2026
PETITION for WRIT of HABEAS CORPUS against All Defendants by Rafael Espinoza. (Filing fee $ 5, receipt number ACAEDC-12811421) (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Bhatnagar, Nikhil) (Entered: 01/26/2026)
Main Document: Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
#2
Jan 27, 2026
PRISONER NEW CASE DOCUMENTS and ORDER RE CONSENT ISSUED. Consent or Decline due by 3/2/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Litigant Letter) (Deputy Clerk jn) (Entered: 01/27/2026)
Main Document: Prisoner New Case Documents for Magistrate Judge as Presider
#3
Jan 28, 2026
DESIGNATION of COUNSEL FOR SERVICE. Added attorney Anthony Andrews for Sergio Albarran,Anthony Andrews for Tonya Andrews,Anthony Andrews for Pamela Bondi,Anthony Andrews for Todd Lyons,Anthony Andrews for Kristi Noem (Andrews, Anthony) (Entered: 01/28/2026)
Main Document: DESIGNATION
#4
Jan 28, 2026
CONSENT/DECLINE of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction. Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1), this document is restricted to attorneys and court staff only. Judges do not have access to view this document and will be informed of a party's response only if all parties have consented to the referral. (Andrews, Anthony) (Entered: 01/28/2026)
Main Document: CONSENT/DECLINE
#5
Jan 28, 2026
06 - HC/Order Requiring Respondent to File a Response
Main Document: 06 - HC/Order Requiring Respondent to File a Response
#6
Jan 28, 2026
09 - Order Re Consent or Request for Reassignment
Main Document: 09 - Order Re Consent or Request for Reassignment
#7
Jan 28, 2026
DOCUMENT(S) SERVED ELECTRONICALLY: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, 5 Order, 6 Order Re Consent or Request for Reassignment served on the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California. (Deputy Clerk OFR) (Entered: 01/28/2026)
#8
Jan 29, 2026
In Forma Pauperis
Main Document: In Forma Pauperis
#9
Jan 29, 2026
Temporary Restraining Order
Main Document: Temporary Restraining Order
#10
Jan 29, 2026
Order on Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
Main Document: Order on Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
#11
Jan 30, 2026
MINUTE ORDER (Text Entry Only) ORDER DENYING TRO; ORDER PREVENTING TRANSFER PENDING FURTHER COURT ORDER; andORDER FOR STAY OF REMOVAL PENDING FURTHER COURT ORDER The Court has reviewed the Petition filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (Doc. 1 ) and the related request for emergency injunctive relief (Doc. 9 ). Petitioner asserts that he has been detained since July 9, 2025, (Doc. 1 at 5 (para. 21)), more than six months ago. Petitioner indicates his mother recently passed away and requests to be released in time to attend her funeral. (Doc. 9 at 7.) He also has a 19-year-old son who has struggled since Petitioner's re-detention, as well as an aging father who has looked to Petitioner for assistance. (Id. at 6-7.) The Court is sympathetic to these circumstances, but Petitioner's habeas claims are complicated by his criminal history. Given the timing of the petition and these factual complications, the Court finds that Petitioner has not demonstrated why the Court should address the matter as an emergency on shortened time. Thus, the TRO request is untimely, and it is DENIED. See Local Rule 231(b). The Court refers the matter to the assigned magistrate judge for a determination on the merits. The Court sets the following briefing schedule, which may be modified by the magistrate judge as needed. Respondents SHALL file their responsive pleading within 30 days. Therein, Respondents are directed to address whether this case is distinguishable from the numerous cases in which this Court has granted habeas relief and SHALL provide the Court with copies of any portions of Petitioner's A-File or related supervision records Respondents rely upon. Petitioner may file a traverse no later than 15 days after Respondents file their brief. In the meantime, unless and until the Court orders otherwise, the Court ORDERS that Respondents shall not remove Petitioner from the United States nor transfer Petitioner out of this District. See F.T.C. v. Dean Foods Co., 384 U.S. 597, 604 (1966) (noting the court's "express authority under the All Writs Act to issue such temporary injunctions as may be necessary to protect its own jurisdiction"). Given the exigent circumstances, the Court finds that this order is warranted to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and any subsequent order and finds that Petitioner has satisfied the factors governing the issuance of such preliminary relief. No later than January 30, 2026, to the extent not already accomplished, Petitioner is directed: (1) to serve Respondents with a copy of the Petition, along with a copy of this Order, by e-mail (noting Petitioner's name and A-File number in the memo line) to all appropriate recipients including the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, with a copy to usacae.ecf2241-imm@usdoj.gov, and by overnight mail; and (2) promptly file proof of such service on the docket. Counsel for respondents shall promptly enter notices of appearance signed by District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on January 30, 2026. (Deputy Clerk IM) (Entered: 01/30/2026)
#12
Jan 30, 2026
Order AND ~Util - 1 Terminate Deadlines and Hearings
Main Document: Order AND ~Util - 1 Terminate Deadlines and Hearings
Jan 30, 2026
Order on Motion for TRO
#13
Feb 19, 2026
Notice of Related Case
Main Document: Notice of Related Case
#17
Mar 11, 2026
Findings and Recommendations
Main Document: Findings and Recommendations
#18
Apr 01, 2026
Objections to Findings and Recommendations
Main Document: Objections to Findings and Recommendations
#19
Apr 06, 2026
Findings and Recommendations AND Order Adopting Findings and Recommendations
Main Document: Findings and Recommendations AND Order Adopting Findings and Recommendations
#20
Apr 06, 2026
Judgment
Main Document: Judgment
#21
Apr 21, 2026
Miscellaneous Relief
Main Document: Miscellaneous Relief
Apr 22, 2026
Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

Parties

(HC) Espinoza Mendoza
Party
Noem
Party