Southern District of Texas • 5:26-cv-00285

#1

Feb 25, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Filing fee $ 5) filed by Yassel Arocha Merencio. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (vm5) (Additional attachment(s) added on 2/26/2026: # 2 Cover Letter) (vm5). (Additional attachment(s) added on 2/26/2026: # 3 Exhibit) (vm5). (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#2

Feb 25, 2026

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. Motion Docket Date 3/18/2026. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#3

Feb 25, 2026

MOTION to Expedite Consideration by Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. Motion Docket Date 3/18/2026. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#4

Feb 25, 2026

MOTION for Appointment of Counsel by Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. Motion Docket Date 3/18/2026. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#5

Feb 25, 2026

MEMORANDUM of Law in Support of Habeas Petition by Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#6

Feb 25, 2026

DECLARATION of Sandra Maria Cutino Martinez as Next Friend of Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#7

Feb 25, 2026

DECLARATION of Hardship, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#8

Feb 25, 2026

ADDENDUM AND SUPPLEMENTAL DECLARITON of Sandra Maria Cutino Martinez as Next Friend of Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#10

Feb 25, 2026

ADDENDUM regarding Pending USCIS adjustment filed by Sandra Maria Cutino Martinez as Next Friend of Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#11

Feb 25, 2026

ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Brian C. Bajew. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

Feb 25, 2026

Referral Judge Selected: Magistrate Judge Brian C. Bajew randomly selected to receive referrals. An order or notice of referral of case or motion to follow. (vm5)

#9

Feb 26, 2026

Clerk's Notice of Redaction Responsibilities and Privacy Protection. Parties notified, filed. (SDTX_CMECF_AutoDocket, ) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#12

Feb 26, 2026

ORDER. The Court ORDERS the attached form be completed and received by 3/6/2026. The Court may dismiss the 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 because it does not have enough information to proceed. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (jgr5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#13

Feb 26, 2026

NOTICE to Pro Se Litigant of Case Opening, with Notice Regarding Consent to Jurisdiction of a Magistrate Judge. Party notified, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

Feb 26, 2026

Filing fee: $5 re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus,, receipt number 500001780, filed. (akp5)

Feb 26, 2026

Referral Judge Selected

Mar 02, 2026

Filing Fee Received

#15

Mar 03, 2026

SEALED RESPONSE to Questionnaire for Next of Friend Filing Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Sanra Maria Cutino Martinez, filed. (jgr5) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

#16

Mar 05, 2026

***DUPLICATE FILING *** Questionnaire for Next of Friend Filing Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus from Sandra maria Cutino Martinez, filed. (vm5) Modified on 3/9/2026 (vm5). (Entered: 03/06/2026)

#17

Apr 20, 2026

ORDER the Court ACCEPTS Petitioners Petition filed as next friend, (Dkt. No. 1). Based upon a review of the Petition and the additional information, the Court ORDERS Respondent to file a response to the petition and serve their response on Petitioner no later than April 27, 2026.1 28 U.S.C. § 2243. Should Petitioner wish to file a reply, they must do so no later than May 4, 2026. re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, (Served electronically on USAO per MOU.) Responses due by 4/27/2026. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (vm5) (Entered: 04/20/2026)

#23

Apr 27, 2026

MOTION - Status, Renewed Motion to Expedite, and Renewed Request for Temporary Restraining Order, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/18/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (vm5) (Entered: 04/28/2026)

#25

Apr 27, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt Returned re: 19 Document(s) Sent - receipt attached, access restricted to court users for privacy reasons -, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 05/01/2026)

#24

Apr 30, 2026

MOTION for Extension of Time TO RESPOND TO HABEAS PETITION by Acting Director, Field Office Director, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/21/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Drootman, Eric) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

Apr 30, 2026

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Eric Joel Drootman on behalf of Acting Director, Field Office Director, filed. (Drootman, Eric)

Apr 30, 2026

Notice of Appearance - USA (Govt Use Only)

#26

May 06, 2026

MOTION for Summary Judgment by Acting Director, Field Office Director, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/27/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Notice to Appear, # 2 Exhibit 2 - Initial I-213, # 3 Exhibit 3 - I-213 from re-arrest, # 4 Exhibit 4- Removal Order, # 5 Exhibit 5 - BIA Appeal, # 6 Exhibit 6. - updated parole record, # 7 Proposed Order) (Drootman, Eric) (Entered: 05/06/2026)

#27

May 22, 2026

RESPONSE in Opposition to 26 MOTION for Summary Judgment, filed by Yassel Arocha Merencio. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (vm5) (Entered: 05/22/2026)

#28

Jun 08, 2026

MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE by Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. Motion Docket Date 6/29/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (vm5) (Entered: 06/08/2026)

#29

Jul 06, 2026

ORDER. In light of the Fifth Circuits recent decision in Sosnava Rodriguez v. Ortega, No. 26-50183 (5th Cir. July 2, 2026), the Court requires supplemental briefing.Accordingly, the Court ORDERS Respondents to file supplemental briefing by July 9, 2026, addressing (1) whether Petitioner is detained under Section 1225(b)(2) and subject to the 90-day detention limitation in Sosnava, (2) the current length of Petitioners detention, and (3) the effect of the decision on Petitioners claims for release.Petitioner may reply to Respondents supplemental briefing by July 13, 2026. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (jb5) (Entered: 07/06/2026)

#30

Jul 07, 2026

RESPONDENTS' SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEF by Acting Director, Field Office Director, filed. (Drootman, Eric) (Entered: 07/07/2026)

#35

Jul 20, 2026

MOTION to Expedite -Resolution of Habeas Petition by Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. Motion Docket Date 8/10/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (vm5) (Entered: 07/21/2026)

Jul 21, 2026

Expedite

#36

Jul 30, 2026

MOTION to Dismiss by Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. Motion Docket Date 8/20/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (rlt5) (Entered: 07/30/2026)

#37

Jul 31, 2026

ORDER. The Court ORDERS Respondents to file an advisory by August 5, 2026, advising the Court on their position on granting Petitioner's Motion to Dismiss and entering a final judgment in this case. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (jgr5) (Entered: 07/31/2026)

#38

Jul 31, 2026

RESPONDENTS' ADVISORY ON PETITIONER'S MOTION TO DISMISS PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS by Acting Director, Field Office Director, filed. (Drootman, Eric) (Entered: 07/31/2026)

#39

Aug 03, 2026

FINAL JUDGMENT. Petitioners Motion to Dismiss his Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241, (Dkt. No. 36), was GRANTED.The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to TERMINATE this case.This is a FINAL JUDGMENT. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (rlt5) (Entered: 08/03/2026)

#40

Aug 03, 2026

ORDER. Here, given Petitioners request to withdraw his Petition and that Respondents are unopposed to the Motion, the Court GRANTS Petitioners Motion to Dismiss his Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241, (Dkt. No. 36). Petitioners claims against Respondents Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Field Office Director, ICE San Antonio Field Office, and Warden, Rio Grande Detention Center, are DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to mail this Order to Petitioner, by regular mail and any receipted means, at the address on file with the Court.A final judgment will follow (SEE DKT 39*). (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (rlt5) Modified on 8/3/2026 (rlt5). (Entered: 08/03/2026)

#43

Aug 18, 2026

Mail Returned Undeliverable