District of Puerto Rico • 3:26-cv-01091

#1

Feb 16, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number APRDC-9399353.), filed by Perfecto Paula. Service due by 5/18/2026, (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Aff. Figoli, # 2 Exhibit I 130, # 3 Exhibit 1 160, # 4 Exhibit NTA, # 5 Exhibit Marriage Cert., # 6 Exhibit Birth Cert., # 7 Exhibit Dkt 101 Maldonado, # 8 Exhibit Dkt. 102 Maldonado, # 9 Exhibit Warrant Arrest, # 10 Exhibit Disable Doc., # 11 Exhibit Request for hearing, # 12 Exhibit No criminal record, # 13 Exhibit ICE locator Inf., # 14 Civil Cover Sheet cover, # 15 Category Sheet category)(Arraiza-Navas, Fermin) (Entered: 02/16/2026)

#2

Feb 16, 2026

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by Fermin Luis Arraiza-Navas on behalf of All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 3/3/2026. NOTE: Pursuant to FRCP 6(a) an additional three days does not apply to service done electronically. (Arraiza-Navas, Fermin) (Entered: 02/16/2026)

#3

Feb 17, 2026

NOTICE of Filing Exhibits Summons re: 1 Petition for Habeas Corpus filed by Fermin Luis Arraiza-Navas on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Arraiza-Navas, Fermin) Modified docket text title and remove resopnse deadline on 2/17/2026 (rim). (Entered: 02/17/2026)

#4

Feb 17, 2026

NOTICE of Filing Exhibits Summons as to all Respondents re: 1 Petition for Habeas Corpus; filed by Fermin Luis Arraiza-Navas on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Summons Vaquero, # 2 Summons Lyons, # 3 Summons Noem, # 4 Summons Bondi, # 5 Summons Muldrow)(Arraiza-Navas, Fermin) Modified docket text title and remove response deadline on 2/17/2026 (rim). (Entered: 02/17/2026)

#5

Feb 17, 2026

NOTICE OF JUDGE ASSIGNMENT: Case has been assigned to Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan. (rim) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

#6

Feb 17, 2026

Summons Issued as to USA

#7

Feb 17, 2026

ORDER granting: 2 "Motion for Temporary Restraining Order." As this district has repeatedly held in recent cases, non-citizens who are detained under Section 1226(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act are entitled to a bond hearing before a neutral decisionmaker. See Cruz-Santana v. Gonzalez-Ramos et al., Civ. No. 26-1028 (GMM) (D.P.R. Jan. 22 2026) ("Where removal and detention of a noncitizen is discretionary, rather than mandatory, Section 1226(a) entitled a noncitizen to an initial bond hearing before a neutral decisionmaker[.]"); Lora-Salazar v. Ripa, Civ. No. 26-01014 (MAJ) (D.P.R. Jan. 13, 2026) (collecting cases and noting that, in other cases where "the Government argued that there is no right to a bond hearing for individuals detained [under Section 1226(a)] their arguments have been rejected again and again by various district courts"); Cruz et al. v. Gonzalez et al., 26-cv-1036 (PAD) (D.P.R. Jan. 23, 2026) (granting request for a temporary restraining order and ordering the respondents to "provide petition a bond hearing before an immigration judge"); Alvarez-Felix v. Gonzalez-Ramos, 26-1041 (RAM) (Jan. 23, 2026); Gonzalez-Rucci et al. v. Gonzalez-Ramos et al., 26-1045 (SCC) (Jan. 29, 2026). The Court thus finds that Petitioner is likely to succeed on the merits. See Charlesbank Equity Fund II v. Blinds To Go, Inc., 370 F.3d 151, 161-162 (1st Cir. 2004). The Court also finds that, in the absence of relief, Petitioner faces irreparable harm; that the balance of hardships weighs in the favor of Petitioner; and that the issuance of this temporary restraining order is in the public interest. See Id. The Court hereby ORDERS that Respondents shall not transfer Petitioner outside of Puerto Rico and that he be granted a bond hearing before an Immigration Judge, no later than 2/25/2026. If Respondents fail to provide such hearing by this deadline, they shall immediately release petitioner. Not later than 2/27/2026, Respondents shall: a) file an informative motion confirming whether petitioner has either been granted a bond hearing in compliance with this Order or released from custody; b) show cause as to why the remaining requests made in petitioner's habeas petition should not be granted, and (c) show cause why sanctions should not be imposed against Respondents, in light of the numerous recent cases from this district in which Respondents have repeatedly attempted to conduct discretionary removals without affording a bail hearing under Section 1226(a). Petitioner shall immediately serve process on Respondents and provide them with a copy of this Order. Signed by Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan on 2/17/2026. (ao) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

#8

Feb 17, 2026

**CASE PARTICIPANTS**Second MOTION for Leave to Appear with Order filed by Maria Del Rosario Garcia-Miranda on behalf of All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 3/3/2026. NOTE: Pursuant to FRCP 6(a) an additional three days does not apply to service done electronically. (Garcia-Miranda, Maria) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

#9

Feb 17, 2026

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Perfecto Paula upon Rebecca Gonzalez served on 2/17/2026, answer due 4/20/2026. (Arraiza-Navas, Fermin) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

#10

Feb 17, 2026

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Perfecto Paula upon W. Stephen Muldrow served on 2/17/2026, answer due 4/20/2026. (Arraiza-Navas, Fermin) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

#11

Feb 17, 2026

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Perfecto Paula upon Roberto Vaquero served on 2/17/2026, answer due 4/20/2026. (Arraiza-Navas, Fermin) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb 17, 2026

Order on Motion for TRO

Feb 17, 2026

Notice of Judge Assignment

#12

Feb 18, 2026

ORDER noting and granting: 8 "Second Motion for Leave to Appear." Signed by Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan on 2/18/2026. (ao) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

#13

Feb 18, 2026

Notice of Appearance

#14

Feb 18, 2026

In Compliance

Feb 18, 2026

Order on Motion to Appear

#15

Feb 20, 2026

ORDER noting 14 "Motion In Compliance." Signed by Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan on 2/20/2026. (mr) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

Feb 20, 2026

Order on Motion In Compliance

#16

Feb 25, 2026

MEMORANDUM in Opposition to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed by All Defendants Re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus,, filed by Perfecto Paula filed by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1. Notice to Appear, # 2 Exhibit 2. Motion Requesting Bond Redetermination Hearing, # 3 Exhibit 3. Notice of Custody Redetermination Hearing, # 4 Exhibit 4. Bond Order)(Martorani-Dale, David) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#17

Feb 25, 2026

MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages at Docket No. 16 filed by David O. Martorani-Dale on behalf of All Defendants. Responses due by 3/11/2026. NOTE: Pursuant to FRCP 6(a) an additional three days does not apply to service done electronically. (Martorani-Dale, David) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#18

Feb 25, 2026

RESPONSE to Motion for Temporary Restraining Order filed by All Defendants Re: 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by All Defendants. (Martorani-Dale, David) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#19

Feb 25, 2026

INFORMATIVE Motion regarding Bond Hearing, Motion In Compliance with Show Cause Order as to 7 Order on Motion for TRO,,,,,,,,,,, filed by David O. Martorani-Dale on behalf of All Defendants. Responses due by 3/11/2026. NOTE: Pursuant to FRCP 6(a) an additional three days does not apply to service done electronically. (Related document(s) 7 ) (Martorani-Dale, David) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#20

Feb 26, 2026

ORDER granting: 17 "Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages." Signed by Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan on 2/26/2026. (ao) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#21

Feb 26, 2026

ORDER noting: 19 "Informative Motion and Motion in Compliance with Order." Signed by Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan on 2/26/2026. (ao) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#22

Feb 26, 2026

ORDER: Defendants report that Plaintiff was afforded a bail hearing (ECF No. 19 ), has posted bail, and has been released from custody. Plaintiff shall inform by 3/3/2026 why 1 "Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus" should not be denied as moot. Signed by Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan on 2/26/2026. (ao) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

Feb 26, 2026

Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines/Hearings

Feb 26, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages

Feb 26, 2026

Order on Informative Motion

#23

Mar 03, 2026

File Excess Pages

#24

Mar 03, 2026

In Compliance

#25

Mar 03, 2026

ORDER granting: 23 "Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages." Signed by Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan on 3/3/2026. (ao) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

Mar 03, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages

#26

Mar 10, 2026

Summons Returned Executed

#27

Mar 10, 2026

Summons Returned Executed

#28

Mar 10, 2026

Summons Returned Executed

#29

Mar 10, 2026

Summons Returned Executed

#30

Mar 10, 2026

Sur Reply to Motion

#31

Mar 11, 2026

Leave to File Document

#32

Mar 11, 2026

ORDER granting: 31 "Motion for Leave to File Document." Signed by Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan on 3/11/2026. (ao) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

Mar 11, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to File

#33

Apr 06, 2026

ORDER denying: 24 "Motion in Compliance and Petition for Declaratory Judgment." This case presents the question of whether Petitioner, a national of the Dominican Republic apprehended by immigration authorities within the United States, was entitled to a bond hearing under Section 1226(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. See (ECF No. 1). On February 17, 2026, the Court ruled that Petitioner likely was so entitled to a bond hearing and therefore issued a temporary restraining order requiring that the Government grant Petitioner a bond hearing before an Immigration Judge. (ECF No. 7). The Government complied with that order, a bond hearing was held, and Petitioner was released from custody on bond. (ECF No. 19). Now, despite acknowledging that "Petitioner has... been released on bond following a custody redetermination hearing[,]" Petitioner asserts that "this case is not moot" and urges the Court to issue a declaratory judgment. (ECF No. 24 at 8). Typically, "[a] habeas petition will become moot once the prisoner is released from custody[.]" Leitao v. Reno, 311 F.3d 453, 455 (1st Cir. 2002). Here, however, Petitioner invokes the "capable-of-repetition" doctrine, under which a court may relax traditional mootness doctrine and continue to exercise jurisdiction where the issue presented is "capable of repetition and... absent relaxation of the classic mootness rule, [likely to] evade review." Ramirez v. Sanchez Ramos, 438 F.3d 92, 10001 (1st Cir. 2006). Notably, this "doctrine applies only in exceptional situations" and the party invoking the doctrine bears the burden to meet that high standard. Am. C.L. Union of Massachusetts v. U.S. Conf. of Cath. Bishops, 705 F.3d 44, 57 (1st Cir. 2013). To do so, Petitioner must show that "(1) the challenged action was in its duration too short to be fully litigated prior to its cessation or expiration, and (2) there was a reasonable expectation that the same complaining party would be subjected to the same action again." Id. (internal quotations and citations omitted). Petitioner fails to make either showing. There is not inherently transitory about Petitioner's claim, such that it would be unlikely to ever face judicial review: after all, Petitioner was released on bond as a direct result of the temporary restraining order issued by this Court. And as Petitioner acknowledges throughout the instant motion, numerous similar cases have been litigated in this district, (ECF No. 24 at 6) (citing "25-01696 (CVR); 26-01014 (MAJ); 26-1028 (GMM); 26-1036 (PAD); 26-1041 (RAM); and 26-1045 (SCC)"), multiple class action lawsuits addressing the same legal controversy are currently before the First Circuit, (ECF No. 24 at 3) (citing Guerrero Orellana v. Moniz, Nos. 25-2152; 26-1094), and the Fifth Circuit has already reached the issue in a full opinion, (ECF No. 24 at 2) (citing Buenrostro Mendez v. Bondi, et al.). Furthermore, as to whether Petitioner is likely to be subjected to the same action again, Petitioner offers nothing more than the generalized conclusion that "Respondents remain free to re-detain Petitioner or others under the same legal theory." (ECF No. 24 at 8). Petitioner therefore fails to demonstrate a "reasonable expectation" that he will face the same harms again. Accordingly, the Court finds that this case is moot. As such, the Court hereby DISMISSES Petitioner's claims WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Judgment will be entered accordingly. Signed by Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan on 4/6/2026. (ao) (Entered: 04/06/2026)

#34

Apr 06, 2026

JUDGMENT is entered DISMISSING this action WITHOUT PREJUDICE in its entirety. This case is now closed for statistical purposes. Signed by Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan on 4/6/2026. (ao) (Entered: 04/06/2026)

Apr 06, 2026

Order on Motion In Compliance