District of Massachusetts • 1:26-cv-10936

#1

Feb 20, 2026

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus - 2241

#2

Feb 20, 2026

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. Judge William G. Young assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge Jessica D. Hedges. (NMC) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

#3

Feb 20, 2026

Judge William G. Young ORDER entered: ORDER Concerning Service of Petition and Stay of Transfer or Removal. Respondents Shall Answer or Otherwise Respond to the Petition No Later Than Friday February 27, 2026. (MAP) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

#4

Feb 20, 2026

General Order 19-02, dated June 1, 2019 regarding Public Access to Immigration Cases Restricted by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2(c). (MAP) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

Feb 20, 2026

Notice of Case Assignment

#5

Feb 25, 2026

Notice of Appearance

#6

Feb 26, 2026

Response - not related to a motion

#7

Mar 05, 2026

Judge William G. Young ELECTRONIC ORDER entered:The Court has reviewed the petition filed by Petitioner Segundo Manuel Cela Loja ("Cela Loja") for habeas relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 ("Petition"), ECF No. 1, as well as the Respondents response, ECF No. 6 . The Court hereby ALLOWS the Petition insofar as it seeks a bond hearing/individualized custody redetermination before an immigration judge under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), at which the government bears the burden of proving petitioner Cela Loja poses a danger to the community or flight risk, see Hernandez-Lara v. Lyons, 10 F.4th 19, 41 (1st Cir. 2021), and ORDERS this hearing be held within seven (7) days of the date of this Order. The Court further ORDERS Respondents to file a status report -- stating whether petitioner Cela Loja has been granted bond and, if Cela Lojas request for bond is denied, the reasons for the denial -- within ten (10) days of this Order. FACTUAL BACKGROUND. Cela Loja is a noncitizen from Ecuador. ECF No. 1, 17. Cela Loja entered the United States without inspection in 2005. Id. 18. On February 16, 2026, Cela Loja was detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement ("ICE") and has since remained in its custody. Id. 19. Cela Loja contends that his detention, properly governed by 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), violates his rights under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. Id. 50. Thus, Cela Loja requests a bond hearing. ANALYSIS. District courts retain jurisdiction to hear noncitizens challenges to the legality of their immigration detention. Kong v. United States, 62 F.4th 608, 614 (1st Cir. 2023). Since Cela Loja challenges his continued detention, this Court has jurisdiction over his petition. Cela Loja alleges claims he has resided in the United States for 20 years prior to his detention. ECF No. 1 at 18-19. This Court agrees with petitioner Cela Loja that his custody is governed by 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) which, as due process requires, entitles Cela Loja to a bond hearing before an immigration judge. This conclusion is consistent with a growing body of this courts rulings in similar cases. See, e.g., Sampiao v. Hyde, 799 F. Supp. 3d 14, 19-20 (D. Mass. 2025) (Kobick, J.); De Andrade v. Moniz, 802 F. Supp. 3d 325, 333 (D. Mass. 2025) (Saylor, J.); Araujo da Silva v. Bondi, No. 25-CV-12672-DJC, 2025 WL 2969163, at *2 (D. Mass. Oct. 21, 2025) (Casper, C.J.); Chuqui Paredes v. Moniz, No. CV 26-10335-FDS, 2026 WL 309632, at *2 (D. Mass. Feb. 5, 2026) (Saylor, J.). Notably, Respondents do not contest petitioner Cela Lojas eligibility for a bond hearing. ECF No. 6 at 1. In his brief, Cela Loja contends to be a member of the class certified in Guerrero Orellana v. Moniz, No. 25-cv-12664-PBS. ECF No. 1 29. This Court, however, having independently determined Cela Lojas entitlement to a bond hearing, declines to determine the effect of the Guerrero Orellana on this case. See Oliveira Batista v. Hyde, No. 26-cv-10195-FDS (D. Mass. Jan. 27, 2026), D. 9 at 2 n. 2. For the foregoing reasons, the Court rules as follows. The Court ALLOWS the Petition insofar as it seeks a bond hearing/individualized custody redetermination before an immigration judge under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), at which the government bears the burden of proving petitioner Cela Loja poses a danger to the community or flight risk, see Hernandez-Lara v. Lyons, 10 F.4th 19, 41 (1st Cir. 2021), and ORDERS this hearing be held within seven (7) days of the date of this Order. The Court ORDERS Respondents to file a status report -- stating whether petitioner Cela Loja has been granted bond and, if the request for bond is denied, the reasons for the denial -- within ten (10) days of this Order. (MAP) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

Mar 05, 2026

Order

#8

Mar 17, 2026

Status Report

#9

Mar 19, 2026

Judge William G. Young ELECTRONIC ORDER entered: As the petitioner is no longer in custody, this petition is dismissed. Any stay orders entered herein are lifted. (MAP) (Entered: 03/19/2026)

#10

Mar 19, 2026

Order Dismissing Case

Mar 19, 2026

Order