District of Minnesota • 0:26-cv-01363

#1

Feb 11, 2026

Emergency PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (filing fee $ 5, receipt number AMNDC-12671140) filed by Jean Carlos Vera Espana. No summons requested. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Boyce, Mary) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

#2

Feb 11, 2026

Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order - Expedited Handling Requested filed by Jean Carlos Vera Espana. (Boyce, Mary) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

#3

Feb 11, 2026

(Text-Only) CLERK'S NOTICE OF INITIAL CASE ASSIGNMENT. Case assigned to Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan per Civil (3rd, 4th - Prisoner: Alien Detainee Habeas) list, referred to Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright. Please use case number 26-cv-1363 (JMB/ECW).Notice: All Nongovernmental Corporate Parties must file a Rule 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement. (ABR) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

#4

Feb 11, 2026

(Text-Only) ORDER: Respondents are ordered to file a response to each count of the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus 1 on or before February 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. CT, certifying the true cause and proper duration of Petitioner's confinement and showing cause as to why the writ should not be granted in this case. The response should include a reasoned memorandum of law and fact as well as any supporting documentation relating to the lawfulness of Petitioner's arrest and/or continued confinement, including the following: (1) a statement concerning immigration court jurisdiction over Petitioner; (2) a statement concerning whether Petitioner belongs to a class of persons currently detained pending removal or deportation; and (3) a statement concerning whether the absence of a warrant preceding Petitioners arrest necessitates Petitioner's immediate release. Ordered by Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan on 2/11/2026. (CRD) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

#5

Feb 11, 2026

(Text-Only) ORDER: The Court enters the following order to remain in place until further order of the Court or until the Court has issued a ruling on the pending Petition: (1) Respondents are temporarily restrained and enjoined from moving the Petitioner out of the District of Minnesota; (2) Respondents shall facilitate Petitioner's prompt access to counsel through private, in-person visitation or videoconference if possible (and through private telephone calls if video conferencing is not possible), to include providing Petitioner with contact information for counsel of record, permitting Petitioner to contact friends or relatives for the purpose of obtaining contact information for counsel, and the use of video conferencing equipment and software (or the use of a telephone if video conferencing is not possible); (3) Respondents shall preserve all personal belongings confiscated from Petitioner for prompt return to Petitioner upon release should the Court grant the Petition; (4) if any confiscated documentation is subject to retention by Respondents upon release, Respondents shall make certified copies of any and all such documentation; and (5) should Respondents choose to release Petitioner rather than respond, Respondents shall release Petitioner in Minnesota, without conditions, and Respondents counsel shall thereafter file a declaration within 24 hours of release stating when and where the Petitioner was released, attaching any and all documentation concerning the Petitioner's release, and affirming that all property of Petitioner was returned to Petitioner upon release (or, if property is retained, state which property is retained, the legal basis for its retention, and affirm that Respondents duly provided Petitioner with certified copies of any and all immigration-related documentation). In the event that Respondents have already transferred Petitioner out of the District of Minnesota, Respondents are ordered to return Petitioner to Minnesota as soon as possible and in any event, no later than February 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. CT. Respondents further ordered to file a declaration on or before February 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. CT pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1746 by an individual with personal knowledge that includes the following: (1) a list of all officers and employees of Respondents who authorized Petitioner's transfer outside of the District of Minnesota; (2) the time and date when the decision was made to transfer Petitioner outside of the District; (3) the specific basis for transferring Petitioner outside the District; (4) a list of all officers and employees of Respondents who carried out the transportation orders, including any and all persons who accompanied Petitioner; (5) the precise date and time for all interstate transportation of Petitioner, including any transport logs and passenger manifests as well as records of communications with private airlines or contractors; (6) all directives, guidance, and memoranda sent from or received by any named Respondent concerning transportation of detained persons out of Minnesota since December 1, 2025; and (7) a detailed explanation of what specific efforts Respondents have taken to return Petitioner to Minnesota as ordered by the Court. In addition, if Respondents have already transferred Petitioner out of the District of Minnesota, counsel for Respondents shall file a declaration on or before February 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. CT explaining the steps counsel has taken to ensure compliance with this Court's order that Respondents immediately return Petitioner to Minnesota. Violation of this order will result in consideration of any appropriate sanctions against the attorneys of record and the parties responsible for violating this order. Ordered by Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan on 2/11/2026. (CRD) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

Feb 11, 2026

Briefing Order

Feb 11, 2026

Order/Notice to Attorney

#6

Feb 13, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Troy Robert Morley on behalf of Pamela Bondi, David Easterwood, Todd M. Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Morley, Troy) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#7

Feb 13, 2026

STRICKEN PER 8 ORDER: RESPONSE by Pamela Bondi, David Easterwood, Todd M. Lyons, Kristi Noem re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus . (Morley, Troy) Modified text on 2/13/2026 (kt). (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#8

Feb 13, 2026

(Text-Only) ORDER: Respondents' Response 7 is STRICKEN as untimely. Ordered by Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan on 2/13/2026. (CRD) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#9

Feb 13, 2026

MEMORANDUM AND OPINION: The Petition (Doc. No. 1 ) is GRANTED. Respondents are ORDERED to release Petitioner Jean V. from custody immediately in Minnesota without conditions, and in any event on or before 4:00 p.m. CT on February 14, 2026. Respondents are further ordered to provide advanced notice to Petitioner's Counsel of the time and location of the release. On or before 11:00 a.m. CT on February 17, 2026, counsel for Respondents shall file a letter affirming that Petitioner was released from custody in Minnesota without conditions in accordance with this Order. Counsel shall also file a declaration on or before 11:00 a.m. CT on February 17, 2026, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1746 by an individual with personal knowledge that states when and where the Petitioner was released, attaches any and all documentation concerning the Petitioner's release, and affirms that all property of Petitioner was returned to Petitioner upon release (or, if property is retained, state which property is retained, the legal basis for its retention, and affirm that Respondents duly provided Petitioner with certified copies of any and all immigration-related documentation). Jean V. may move separately within 30 days of final judgment in this action to recover attorney's fees and costs under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). To the extent Petitioner seeks relief beyond an order requiring release or an order requiring a bond hearing, the Petition is DENIED. Petitioner's Emergency Motion for Temporary Restraining Order (Doc. No. 2 ) is DENIED AS MOOT. LET JUDGMENT BE ENTERED ACCORDINGLY. Signed by Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan on 2/13/2026. (CRD) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#10

Feb 13, 2026

JUDGMENT (Attachments: # 1 Civil Notice - appeal)(kt) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#11

Feb 13, 2026

(Text-Only) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE: The Court's February 11, 2026 Order instructed Respondents to file a declaration if Petitioner was transferred out of Minnesota 5 . It is not clear whether Petitioner was ever transferred. If Respondents transferred Petitioner outside of the District of Minnesota, by February 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. CT Respondents shall file a declaration pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1746 by an individual with personal knowledge that includes the following: (1) a list of all officers and employees of Respondents who authorized Petitioner's transfer outside of the District of Minnesota; (2) the time and date when the decision was made to transfer Petitioner outside of the District; (3) the specific basis for transferring Petitioner outside the District; (4) a list of all officers and employees of Respondents who carried out the transportation orders, including any and all persons who accompanied Petitioner; (5) the precise date and time for all interstate transportation of Petitioner, including any transport logs and passenger manifests as well as records of communications with private airlines or contractors; (6) all directives, guidance, and memoranda sent from or received by any named Respondent concerning transportation of detained persons out of Minnesota since December 1, 2025; and (7) a detailed explanation of what specific efforts Respondents have taken to return Petitioner to Minnesota as ordered by the Court. If Respondents never transported Petitioner out of the District of Minnesota, the declaration should confirm that fact. Signed by Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan on 2/13/2026. (CRD) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#12

Feb 13, 2026

NOTICE of Withdrawal as Attorney (Morley, Troy) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

Feb 13, 2026

Order/Notice to Attorney

Feb 13, 2026

Order to Show Cause