District of New Jersey • 3:26-cv-01455

#1

Feb 13, 2026

First PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Unlawfully Detained Noncitizen ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17095785.), filed by DIANA ELIZABETH CARTAGENA HUESO. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet)(SIMBRON, NOEMI) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

Feb 13, 2026

Add and Terminate Judges

Feb 13, 2026

Judge Zahid N. Quraishi added. (jjc, )

#2

Feb 17, 2026

TEXT ORDER: In this matter, Petitioner alleges she is unlawfully detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2). Under this Court's decision in Valerio v. Joyce, Civ. No. 25-17225, 2025 WL 3251445 (D.N.J. Nov. 21, 2025), and in light of other recent decisions in this District interpreting § 1225(b)(2), the Court holds that Petitioner is subject to detention under § 1226(a). It is therefore ORDERED that, in accordance with 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), within ten (10) 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 she presents a flight risk or a danger to the community... Within three (3) days of that bond hearing, Respondents shall file a written notice of the outcome of that hearing with this Court. The Government shall not transfer Petitioner out of New Jersey until this bond process is complete. If Respondents contend that Petitioner's detention is distinguishable from the cases in this district previously addressing §1225(b)(2), they shall file an expedited answer within seven (7) 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. So Ordered by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on 2/17/2026. (kas) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb 17, 2026

Text Order

#3

Feb 19, 2026

Substitution of Attorney - Attorney FRANCES C. BAJADA terminated. Attorney JESSICA LASERNA for PAMELA BONDI,JESSICA LASERNA for KRISTI NOEM,JESSICA LASERNA for LUIS SOTO,JESSICA LASERNA for JOHN TSOUKARIS added.. (LASERNA, JESSICA) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

#4

Feb 20, 2026

Letter from Petitioner Requesting Immediate Release due to recurrent violation of court ord]er re 2 Text Order,,,,,. (SIMBRON, NOEMI) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

#5

Feb 23, 2026

TEXT ORDER: The Court having received and reviewed Petitioner's letter (ECF No. 4 ), the Government shall file a response to the allegations in the letter by the close of business on Tuesday February 24, 2026. The response shall directly address whether the transfer of Petitioner was in violation of this Court's February 17 Order and what efforts are being made to address this alleged violation. So Ordered by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on 2/23/2026. (kas, ) (Entered: 02/23/2026)

Feb 23, 2026

Text Order

#6

Feb 24, 2026

Letter from Respondents regarding Petitioner's detention location re 4 Letter, 5 Text Order,. (LASERNA, JESSICA) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

#7

Feb 24, 2026

RESPONSE to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by PAMELA BONDI, KRISTI NOEM, LUIS SOTO, JOHN TSOUKARIS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - 2026 Form I-213, # 2 Exhibit B - 2016 Form I-213, # 3 Exhibit C - Notice and Order of Expedited Removal, # 4 Exhibit D - Credible Fear Determination, # 5 Exhibit E - NTA, # 6 Exhibit F - Warrant of Arrest I-200)(LASERNA, JESSICA) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

#8

Feb 25, 2026

Letter from Petitioner Requesting Immediate Release due to Additional Court Order Violations re 7 Response to Habeas Petition, 2 Text Order,,,,,. (SIMBRON, NOEMI) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#9

Feb 26, 2026

OPINION filed. Signed by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on 2/26/2026. (kas)

#10

Feb 26, 2026

ORDER Granting Petitioner's habeas petition 1 . Respondents shall on this date IMMEDIATELY RELEASE Petitioner. Respondents are PERMANENTLY ENJOINED from re-arresting or otherwise detaining Petitioner under §1225. This case shall be marked CLOSED. Signed by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on 2/26/2026. (kas) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

Feb 26, 2026

***Civil Case Terminated. (kas, )

Feb 26, 2026

Terminate Civil Case

#11

Feb 27, 2026

Letter from Petitioner Providing Detention Status as of today re 10 Order,. (SIMBRON, NOEMI) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

#12

Feb 27, 2026

TEXT ORDER that in light of Petitioner's Letter 11 indicating that Petitioner remains in DHS custody, Respondents will respond by declaration by 2:30 PM EST TODAY indicating Petitioner's detention status. The declaration shall also outline all efforts Respondents have taken to release Petitioner and to fully comply with the Court's 02/27/2026 Order requiring Petitioner's immediate release 10 . If the Court finds Respondents' compliance efforts insufficient it will proceed by Order to Show Cause why the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Homeland Security should not be subject to sanctions, including but not limited to Petitioner's attorney's fees and costs. So Ordered by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on 02/27/2026. (Gonzalez, P) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

#13

Feb 27, 2026

DECLARATION of Maurice E. Williams, SDDO re 12 Text Order,,, by PAMELA BONDI, KRISTI NOEM, LUIS SOTO, JOHN TSOUKARIS. (LASERNA, JESSICA) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

#14

Feb 27, 2026

TEXT ORDER that the Court has reviewed the Declaration of Maurice E. Williams filed by Respondents 13 . Respondents are hereby ORDERED to submit the following additional declarations reporting Petitioner's status: (1) at 4:00 p.m. EST TODAY; and (2) at 8:00 a.m. EST TOMORROW (2/28/2026). The declaration submitted by 8:00 a.m. EST tomorrow should also detail Respondents' efforts to ensure full compliance with the Court's 2/26/2026 Order 10 . If the Court finds Respondents' compliance efforts insufficient, it will proceed by Order to Show Cause why the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Homeland Security should not be subject to sanctions, including but not limited to Petitioner's attorney's fees and costs. So Ordered by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on 2/27/2026. Modified on 2/27/2026. Modified on 2/27/2026 (Gonzalez, P). (Entered: 02/27/2026)

#15

Feb 27, 2026

Letter from Respondents Requesting 1-hour Extension until 4:00 p.m. CST / 5:00 P.M. EST re 14 Text Order,,,. (LASERNA, JESSICA) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

#16

Feb 27, 2026

DECLARATION of Maurice E. Williams re 14 Text Order,,, by PAMELA BONDI, KRISTI NOEM, LUIS SOTO, JOHN TSOUKARIS. (LASERNA, JESSICA) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

Feb 27, 2026

Text Order

#17

Feb 28, 2026

DECLARATION of Maurice E. Williams re 14 Text Order,,, by PAMELA BONDI, KRISTI NOEM, LUIS SOTO, JOHN TSOUKARIS. (LASERNA, JESSICA) (Entered: 02/28/2026)

#18

Feb 28, 2026

TEXT ORDER: The Court has reviewed the Declarations of Maurice E. Williams filed by Respondents at 16 and 17 . In light of the Court's prior Text Orders 12, 14, and the Respondents' submissions 16 and 17, Petitioner may file any application for attorneys' fees and costs under the Equal Access to Justice Act ("EAJA") within 14 days. Respondents shall file any response within 7 days. See Michelin v. Warden Moshannon Valley Correctional Ctr., No. 24-2990, 2026 WL 263483 (3d Cir. Feb. 2, 2026). So Ordered by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on 2/28/2026. (kas ) (Entered: 02/28/2026)

Feb 28, 2026

Text Order

#19

Mar 10, 2026

RESPONSE re 18 Text Order,,. (SIMBRON, NOEMI) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

#20

Mar 11, 2026

TEXT ORDER: The Court has received Petitioner's affidavit in support of a request for attorney's fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act in this matter. (ECF No. 19 .) Petitioner's submission, however, contains no argument as to why counsel should receive the fees sought. Attorney's fees are warranted under the Act only if the Government's position was not substantially justified. See, e.g. Michelin v. Warden Moshannon Valley Corr. Ctr., --- F. 4th ---, 2026 WL 263483, at *11-13 (3d Cir. Feb. 2, 2026). Petitioner shall therefore submit a brief within 14 days setting forth her argument for why the Government's position in this matter was not substantially justified. The Government may file its response within seven days of the filing of Petitioner's brief. So Ordered by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on 3/11/2026. (kas, ) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

Mar 11, 2026

Text Order

#21

May 04, 2026

TEXT ORDER: On March 10, 2026, Petitioner filed an application for attorney's fees in this matter. (ECF No. 19 .) On March 11, this Court directed Petitioner to file a brief in support of that application addressing the relevant factors within fourteen days. (ECF No. 20 .) As Petitioner has failed to file a brief as directed and thus has not provided sufficient basis for this Court to find that the Government's position was not substantially justified, Petitioner's fee request (ECF No. 19 ) is DENIED. So Ordered by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on 5/4/2026. (kas, ) (Entered: 05/04/2026)

May 04, 2026

Text Order