Southern District of Texas • 5:26-cv-00284

#1

Feb 24, 2026

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ATXWDC-21456602), filed by Armando Vargas Benitez. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit ICE Detainee Locator, # 3 Exhibit EOIR Case Information)(Cote, C.M.) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

Feb 24, 2026

Case assigned to Judge Fred Biery. 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. (vl)

Feb 24, 2026

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

#2

Feb 25, 2026

TRANSFER ORDER-- It is therefore ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall TRANSFER this case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division.. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (vl) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#3

Feb 26, 2026

Case transferred in from Texas Western. Case Number 5:26-cv-01216; Received Electronically (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#4

Feb 26, 2026

ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Brian C. Bajew. (Signed by Judge Diana Saldana) Parties notified. (rlt5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#5

Feb 26, 2026

ORDER. Petitioner is ORDERED to submit proof of service to the named Respondents by registered or certified mail pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i) by February 27, 2026 Respondents are hereby ORDERED to show cause and submit a response to the Habeas Petition, (Dkt. 1) and serve it on Petitioner no later than March 4, 2026, which is between the three-to-twenty-day time period contemplated by 28 U.S.C. § 2243. The Court advises the Respondents that if no response is received, the Court may treat the petition as unopposed. Petitioner is ORDERED to submit a reply to Respondents Response on or before March 6, 2026. (Served electronically on USAO per MOU.) (Signed by Judge Diana Saldana) Parties notified. (tat5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

Feb 26, 2026

Referral Judge Selected

Feb 26, 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. (rlt5)

#7

Feb 27, 2026

Notice of Appearance

#8

Feb 27, 2026

Certificate of Service

#9

Mar 04, 2026

Response

#10

Mar 06, 2026

Response

#11

Mar 09, 2026

Order

#12

Mar 09, 2026

Order

#13

Mar 10, 2026

Advisory