Western District of Pennsylvania • 3:26-cv-00408

#1

Mar 11, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Filing fee $5, receipt number APAWDC-9416174), filed by Z. L.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit A, # 4 Exhibit B, # 5 Exhibit C, # 6 Exhibit D, # 7 Exhibit E) (Visher, John) Modified text on 3/11/2026 to add payment information. (sms) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

#2

Mar 11, 2026

Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Z. L.. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit A, # 4 Exhibit B, # 5 Exhibit C, # 6 Exhibit D, # 7 Exhibit E) (Visher, John) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

#3

Mar 11, 2026

BRIEF in Support re 2 Motion for TRO,, Motion for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Z. L.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit E) (Visher, John) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

#4

Mar 12, 2026

ORDER denying 2 Motion for TRO; deferring ruling on 2 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Petitioner's Motion is DENIED insofar as Petitioner seeks a TRO. In his Motion, Petitioner seeks to enjoin transfer outside of the Western District of Pennsylvania. This Court lacks authority to grant that relief as the places of detention for aliens pending removal is left to the discretion of the Attorney General, 8 U.S.C. § 1231(g)(1), and Congress has "limited federal district courts' jurisdiction to review decisions or actions made pursuant to the sound discretion of DHS officials[.]" Jane v. Rodriguez, No. 20-CV-5922 (ES), 2020 WL 10140953, at *1 (D.N.J. May 22, 2020); see also Sinclair v. Attorney General of U.S., 198 F. Appx 218, 222 n.3 (3d Cir. 2006). Additionally, Petitioner's request for immediate release goes beyond the "limited nature of a [T.R.O.]" and instead requests "mandatory, affirmative relief[,]" which may not be afforded via a T.R.O. Hope v. Warden York County Prison, 956 F.3d 156, 16162 (3d Cir. 2020) (finding that where the district court purported to enter an ex parte T.R.O. but directed the release of twenty petitioners, the "relief altered the status quo, exceeding the temporary and limited nature of a [T.R.O.]") (citing Granny Goose Foods Inc. v. Brotherhood of Teamsters and Auto Truck Drivers Local, 415 U.S. 423, 439 (1974)). Finally, while Petitioner requests an order barring his removal from the country, he has offered the Court no indication that he has a final order of removal, or that his removal is in any way imminent. (ECF No. 3). Therefore, because Petitioner has failed to show that he faces a risk of immediate and irreparable harm in the form of imminent removal absent a T.R.O., the Court denies Petitioners request for such relief. FED. R. CIV. P. 65(b)(1)(A) (providing that a T.R.O. may only issue where specific facts in an affidavit or a verified complaint clearly show that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result to the movant before the adverse party can be heard in opposition). While Petitioner's request for a T.R.O. is DENIED, the Court is left with Petitioner's request for a preliminary injunction relative to his detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1225/1226. This Court RESERVES JUDGMENT on the relief requested via a preliminary injunction. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents shall respond to Petitioners request for a preliminary injunction on same date that they are required to answer the pending Habeas Petition. The Court will articulate that deadline by way of a separate order. Any response MUST SQUARELY ADDRESS whether this Court's prior holding in Calzado Diaz v. Noem, No. 3:25-cv-458, 2025 WL 3628480 (W.D. Pa. Dec. 15, 2025), requires that relief be granted. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioner's counsel shall serve this Order upon Respondents, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Attorney General of the United States, and shall file a certificate of service of the same. Signed by Judge Stephanie L. Haines on 3/12/2026. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (nsk) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

#5

Mar 12, 2026

Case Management Order

Mar 12, 2026

Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction AND Order on Motion for TRO

Mar 12, 2026

Judge Stephanie L. Haines added. (cel)