District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-01694

#1

Feb 18, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus, filed by German Sarango Cardenas. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Affidavit) (KD) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

#2

Feb 18, 2026

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by German Sarango Cardenas. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (KD) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

#3

Feb 18, 2026

SCHEDULING ORDER and Electronic Service upon the US Attorneys Office: In order to preserve the Court's jurisdiction pending final disposition of the Petition, respondents are ENJOINED from moving petitioner to a location outside the Eastern District of New York, the Southern District of New York, or the District of New Jersey absent further order of this Court. Respondents shall submit a letter, by today, February 18, 2026, stating: (1) Petitioner's A-number, current place of detention, and a contact person who can facilitate prospective counsels access to Petitioner; (2) whether Petitioner was, as the Petition alleges, see Pet. at 1, 5, ECF No. 1, located in the Eastern District of New York at the time that the Petition was filed; (3) the statutory provision(s) under which respondents assert the authority to detain Petitioner; and (4) whether there is any material basis to distinguish the instant case from this Court's prior decisions in Y- C- v. Genalo, No. 25-cv-06558, 2025 WL 3653496 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 17, 2025), Crespo Tacuri v. Genalo, No. 25-cv-06896, 2026 WL 35569 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 6, 2026), Yumbla v. Maldonado, No. 26-cv-00594, 2026 WL 371414 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 10, 2026), Guanga Dutan v. Tellez, No. 26-cv-00600, 2026 WL 377520 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 11, 2026), Erjigitov v. Lyons, No. 26-cv-00624, 2026 WL 382489 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 11, 2026), or any other decision of this Court. If respondents take the position that the present case is not materially different from one or more of the Court's prior decisions, respondents shall further state whether respondents consent to the issuance of the writ, subject to preservation of respondents' arguments for appeal. If respondents take the position that the present case is materially different from each of the Court's prior decisions, respondents shall show cause, in writing, as to why the relief sought in the Petition should not be granted and otherwise respond to the factual and legal assertions in the Petition no later than Monday, February 23, 2026. If respondents file a response to the Order to Show Cause, they are directed to also file relevant records. If respondents file a response to the Order to Show Cause, petitioner may file a reply no later than Monday, March 2, 2026 and the parties shall appear for a hearing and oral argument on the petition on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 11:30 AM before the Hon. Natasha C. Merle in Courtroom 2F North. Respondents shall produce Petitioner at this hearing. By today, February 18, 2026, counsel for respondents is directed to serve a copy of this Order on Petitioner and Petitioners next friend, Christian A. Cardenas Cordova, and to file proof of service on the docket. Petitioner is directed to serve a copy of the Petition, TRO, and all supporting papers on the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York, and this shall constitute good and sufficient service. The Clerk of the Court is respectfully directed to deliver a copy of this Order to the U.S. Attorneys Office at Richard.Hayes@usdoj.gov (ICS) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

#4

Feb 18, 2026

Letter in Response to Scheduling Order by Pam Bondi, William Joyce, Anthony J. LaRocco, Kristi Noem (Attachments: # 1 Proof of service) (Schachner, Elliot) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

Feb 18, 2026

ORDER re 4 Letter in Response to Scheduling Order by Pam Bondi, William Joyce, Anthony J. LaRocco, Kristi Noem -- Respondents are directed to file "additional support" concerning their contention that "the Court should order immediate transfer of this action to the District of New Jersey," ECF No. 4 at 1, by tomorrow, February 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Counsel for respondents is directed to serve a copy of this Order on Petitioner and Petitioner's next friend, Christian A. Cardenas Cordova, and to file proof of service on the docket. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to deliver a copy of this Order to the U.S. Attorneys Office at Richard.Hayes@usdoj.gov. Ordered by Judge Natasha C. Merle on 2/18/2026. (ICS)

#5

Feb 19, 2026

Letter in response to February 18, 2026 Order by Pam Bondi, William Joyce, Anthony J. LaRocco, Kristi Noem (Attachments: # 1 declaration) (Schachner, Elliot) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

#6

Feb 19, 2026

TRANSFER ORDER: The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to transfer this action to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1404(a), 1406(a). The provision of Rule 83.1 of the Local Rules of the Eastern District of New York, which requires a seven-day delay, is waived. Counsel for respondents is directed to serve a copy of this Order on Petitioner and Petitioner's next friend, Christian A. Cardenas Cordova, and to file proof of service by February 20, 2026. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to mark this case as closed in this District and to deliver a copy of this Order to the U.S. Attorneys Office at Richard.Hayes@usdoj.gov. Ordered by Judge Natasha C. Merle on 2/19/2026. (ICS) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

Feb 19, 2026

Case transferred to District of New Jersey. Original file, certified copy of transfer order, and docket sheet sent. ALL FILINGS ARE TO BE MADE IN THE TRANSFER COURT, DO NOT DOCKET TO THIS CASE. Ordered by Judge Natasha C. Merle on 2/19/2026. (ENE)

#7

Feb 20, 2026

Certified Copy of Transfer Order and docket received, Case transferred in from District of New York Eastern; Case Number 1:26-cv-00949. Original file certified copy of transfer order and docket sheet received. (Entered: 02/20/2026)

#8

Feb 20, 2026

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by PAM BONDI, WILLIAM JOYCE, Anthony J. LaRocco, KRISTI NOEM re 6 Order,,, Service on Petitioner by EDNY (BASIAK, JOHN) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

Feb 20, 2026

Add and Terminate Judges

Feb 20, 2026

Judge Esther Salas added. (jjc, )

Feb 20, 2026

Order