District of Massachusetts • 1:26-cv-10982

#1

Feb 25, 2026

First PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241) Filing fee: $ 5, receipt number AMADC-11571391 Fee status: Filing Fee paid., filed by Celestian AJIAWUNG. (Attachments: # 1 Category Form, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(Nice, Robin) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#2

Feb 25, 2026

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. District Judge Angel Kelley 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 Donald L. Cabell. (LBO) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#3

Feb 25, 2026

District Judge Angel Kelley: ORDER entered. Order Concerning Service of Petition, Stay of Transfer or Removal, and Required Response. (CEH) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#4

Feb 25, 2026

Copy re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241), 3 Service Order - 2241 Petition Emailed to AUSA Lindsey Ross, Rayford Farquhar, and USAMA Civil Process on 2/25/2026 at 2:00 PM and mailed to All Respondents. (CEH) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#5

Feb 25, 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). (CEH) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#6

Feb 25, 2026

District Judge Angel Kelley: ORDER entered. Standing Order Regarding Motion Practice. (CEH) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

Feb 25, 2026

Copy Mailed

Feb 25, 2026

Notice of Case Assignment

#7

Feb 26, 2026

Amend

#8

Feb 27, 2026

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 7 First MOTION to Amend 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241) (CEH) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

Feb 27, 2026

Order on Motion to Amend

#9

Mar 02, 2026

Notice of Appearance

#10

Mar 02, 2026

Answer/Response to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus - 2241

#11

Mar 03, 2026

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. Before the Court is Petitioner Celestian Ajiawung's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. [Dkt. 1]. Respondents note that "the legal issues presented in this Petition are similar to those recently addressed" [Dkt. 10 at 1] in Amaya Sanchez v. Moniz et al., No. 25-CV-12806-AK (D. Mass. Oct. 10, 2025) [Dkt. 10], in which the Court joined other sessions of this Court, and other courts across the country, in holding that the arrest and detention of noncitizens within the United States is governed by 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a). On the facts before it, the Court does not find reason to deviate from the analysis presented in Amaya Sanchez. Accordingly, Petitioner is subject to 8 U.S.C. § 1226's discretionary detention framework and entitled to a bond hearing. He has not received such a hearing, so his detention is unlawful. Petitioners Petition [Dkt. 1] is GRANTED. Respondents are ORDERED to provide Petitioner with a bond hearing under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) within 10 calendar days of this Order. The Court notes that, per Respondent's Response to the Habeas Petition, "Petitioner has a bond hearing scheduled in immigration court on March 5, 2026." [Dkt. 10 at 1]. Should that hearing go forward or another be scheduled within the next 10 days, Respondents are ENJOINED from denying Petitioner bond on the basis that he is detained pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2). The parties are ORDERED to file a status report within 14 calendar days of this Order stating whether Petitioner has been granted bond, and, if his request for bond was denied, the reasons for that denial.(MS) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

Mar 03, 2026

Order

#12

Mar 17, 2026

Status Report