Northern District of Iowa • 1:26-cv-00041

#1

Feb 17, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number AIANDC-4612021.), filed by Ersultan Ermekov. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit) (Smith, Alexander) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

#2

Feb 18, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Benjamin David Bergmann on behalf of Ersultan Ermekov. (Bergmann, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

Feb 18, 2026

Judge Leonard T Strand and Chief Magistrate Judge Kelly K.E. Mahoney added. No conflicts identified. (rjs)

#3

Mar 13, 2026

INITIAL Review Order: The Clerk's office is directed to serve, via certified mail, the summons, a copy of the petition, along with a copy of this order, to the respondents in care of the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa. Respondents shall file an answer and response to the petition within 14 days of this order. Signed by Judge Leonard T Strand on 3/13/2026. (Copy to respondents as directed) (pac) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

#4

Mar 13, 2026

Summons Issued as to Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security, David Easterwood, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, Daren Margolin, Dave McDaniel, Kristi Noem, Omaha Immigration Court, Nick Whitmore. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Case Packet) (pac) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

#5

Mar 16, 2026

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE re 3 Initial Review Order. (pac) (Entered: 03/16/2026)

#6

Mar 27, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Brandon J Gray on behalf of Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security, David Easterwood, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, Daren Margolin, Kristi Noem, Omaha Immigration Court. (Gray, Brandon) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

#7

Mar 27, 2026

RESPONSE by Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security, David Easterwood, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, Daren Margolin, Kristi Noem, Omaha Immigration Court re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. (Gray, Brandon) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

#8

Mar 27, 2026

Seal Document

#9

Mar 27, 2026

TEXT ORDER granting 8 Motion to Seal exhibits to respondent's response. Signed by Judge Leonard T Strand on 3/27/26. (djs) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

#10

Mar 27, 2026

NOTICE of Filing of Sealed Defendants Other Exhibit(s) re 7 Response/Reply with access to the following parties: Daren Margolin, Department of Homeland Security, Omaha Immigration Court, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Kristi Noem, Todd Lyons, Pam Bondi, David Easterwood, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Ersultan Ermekov, Dave McDaniel, Nick Whitmore. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B) (Gray, Brandon) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

Mar 30, 2026

Set Deadline: Petitioner's Reply Brief due by 4/1/2026. (rjs)

#11

Apr 01, 2026

Leave to File Overlength Brief

#12

Apr 01, 2026

[STRICKEN] REPLY BRIEF to filed by Ersultan Ermekov. (Smith, Alexander) Modified on 4/2/2026 per 13 Text Order (kms). (Entered: 04/01/2026)

#13

Apr 01, 2026

TEXT ORDER denying 11 Motion for Leave to File Overlength Brief. The motion violates Local Rule 7(k). As such, it is denied without prejudice. Petitioner may re-file the motion in compliance with this court's rules. Also, the Reply Brief at Doc. 12 was prematurely filed before the granting of a motion for leave. Therefore, the reply brief at Doc. 12 is stricken. Signed by Judge Leonard T Strand on 4/1/26. (djs) (Entered: 04/01/2026)

#14

Apr 01, 2026

Leave to File Overlength Brief

#15

Apr 02, 2026

ORDER granting 14 Motion for Leave to File Overlength Brief: The Clerk of Court is directed to docket the brief submitted with the motion (Doc. 14 -1). Signed by Judge Leonard T Strand on 4/2/2026. (kms) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

#16

Apr 02, 2026

REPLY to 7 Response from Federal Respondents filed by Ersultan Ermekov. (kms) Modified text on 4/3/2026 (pac). (Entered: 04/02/2026)

#17

Apr 03, 2026

CASE Ready for Decision re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus: Briefing is complete and all deadlines have passed. Signed by Clerk on 4/3/2026. (rjs) (Entered: 04/03/2026)

Apr 03, 2026

Case Ready for Decision

#18

Apr 17, 2026

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER granting 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed by Ersultan Ermekov: Respondents are ordered to release Ermekov immediately, subject to those conditions (if any) with which he was required to comply immediately pr ior to his re-detention. If the Government wishes to again re-detain Ermekov pending his removal proceedings, it must provide Ermekov with sufficient notice and a hearing before an immigration judge. At such a hearing, the Government will be required to prove by clear and convincing evidence that Ermekov poses a flight risk or danger to the community. Signed by Judge Leonard T Strand on 4/17/2206. (klh)

#19

Apr 17, 2026

JUDGMENT on Habeas Corpus Petition: Petition for Habeas Corpus Relief is granted. Judgment is entered in favor of Petitioner in this case Signed by Judge Leonard T Strand on 4/17/226. (klh) (Main Document 19 replaced on 4/20/2026 to modify judgment text) (klh). (Entered: 04/17/2026)