Western District of Texas • 5:26-cv-01039

#1

Feb 18, 2026

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ATXWDC-21417528), filed by Yeury Roland Familia Matos. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C)(Etter, Kristin) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

#2

Feb 18, 2026

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Kristin Etter on behalf of Shari L. Astalos ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number ATXWDC-21417656) by on behalf of Yeury Roland Familia Matos. (Etter, Kristin) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

Feb 18, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Feb 18, 2026

To be Referred to SA Mag Judge

Feb 18, 2026

Case assigned to Judge Jason K. Pulliam. CM WILL NOW REFLECT THE JUDGE INITIALS AS PART OF THE CASE NUMBER. PLEASE APPEND THESE JUDGE INITIALS TO THE CASE NUMBER ON EACH DOCUMENT THAT YOU FILE IN THIS CASE. (rqr)

Feb 18, 2026

If ordered by the court, all referrals will be assigned to Magistrate Judge Chestney (rqr)

#3

Feb 19, 2026

STANDING ORDER for procedure in cases before Judge Pulliam. All parties and counsel are directed to review Judge Pulliam's Standing Order containing rules of practice, particularly the requirement of conference before filing a Motion to Dismiss under Federal Rule 12(b)(6) and demonstration of complete diversity. Failure to follow these rules of practice could result in the Court striking the Motion to Dismiss on its own initiative without further notice. Signed by Judge Jason Pulliam. (r013) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

#4

Feb 20, 2026

Order

#5

Feb 20, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt

#6

Feb 20, 2026

Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice

#7

Feb 26, 2026

Response

#8

Mar 03, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt

#9

Mar 05, 2026

Response

#10

Mar 17, 2026

Status Report

#11

Apr 14, 2026

Status Report

#12

Apr 15, 2026

TEXT ORDER GRANTING 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. After reviewing the briefing, provided evidence, and applicable law, the Court grants the petition. Respondents contend that Petitioner is subject to mandatory detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2). By their own argument, § 1225(b)(2) mandates detention of noncitizens, like Petitioner, "until the conclusion of their removal proceedings." ECF No. 7 at 1 (citing Buenrostro-Mendez v. Bondi, 166 F.4th 494, 498 (5th Cir. 2026)). On March 12, 2026, an immigration judge terminated Petitioner's removal proceedings on motion of Petitioner. Although the Government reserved its right to appeal that termination, the deadline has passed without any appeal. The Court need not determine whether the removal proceedings terminated on March 12, 2026, or after the appeal time ran. At this point in time, the Government has stated no valid basis for continuing to detain Petitioner under § 1225(b)(2). Further, to the extent necessary, the Court also finds that Petitioner's detention violates due process for the reasons stated in Longoria Mendoza v. Noem, ___ F. Supp. 3d ___, ___, No 5:26-CV-0728-JKP, 2026 WL 809441, at *610 (W.D. Tex. Feb. 26, 2026). While there are differences between this case and Longoria Mendoza, none warrant a different result. The proper remedy is for Respondents to release Petitioner from detention. "Habeas is at its core a remedy for unlawful executive detention. The typical remedy for such detention is, of course, release." Munaf v. Geren, 553 U.S. 674, 693 (2008). Under the facts and circumstances of this case, this Court concludes Petitioner's detention is unlawful, and habeas relief is proper. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that, on or before April 17, 2026, Respondents shall RELEASE Petitioner Yeury Roland Familia-Matos from custody to a public location. Respondents must NOTIFY Petitioner's counsel of the exact location and exact time of release as soon as practicable and no less than two hours before release. Any possible or anticipated removal or transfer of Petitioner under this present detention is PROHIBITED. Respondents shall FILE a Status Report no later than April 18, 2026, confirming that Petitioner has been released. If counsel for Petitioner disagrees with any aspect of the filed Status Report, counsel may file a separate Status Report. A written final judgment will be issued separately to summarize the orders of the Court and to close this habeas case. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (rw) (Entered: 04/15/2026)

Apr 15, 2026

Order

#13

Apr 16, 2026

Judgment

#14

Apr 16, 2026

Advisory to the Court