Western District of Texas • 5:26-cv-01425

#1

Feb 25, 2026

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, filed by Virgen Tatiana Castillo Cobas. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Copy of Envelope)(nm) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

Feb 25, 2026

THIS CASE HAS BEEN RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO JUDGE JASON K. PULLIAM. (nm)

Feb 25, 2026

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

#2

Mar 05, 2026

Miscellaneous Relief

#3

Mar 05, 2026

Case Opening Letter

Mar 05, 2026

Remark (No Doc#)

Mar 05, 2026

To be Referred to SA Mag Judge

#4

Mar 09, 2026

ORDER FOR SERVICE--The Court hereby DIRECTS the Clerk of Court to furnish a copy of the Petition and this Order to the Office of the United States Attorney in San Antonio, Texas. Federal Respondents are ORDERED to file a response to the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus no later than Monday, March 16, 2026. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any possible or anticipated removal or transfer is IMMEDIATELY STAYED until further order from this Court.. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (vl) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

#5

Mar 10, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt of 4 Order, 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (vl) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

Mar 10, 2026

Text Order MOOTING 2 Petitioner's Motion Requesting Court Assistance to Effect Service on Respondents entered by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. A service order was rendered March 9, 2026. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (ks1)

Mar 10, 2026

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

#6

Mar 16, 2026

Response

#7

Mar 23, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt

#8

Mar 25, 2026

Response

#9

May 08, 2026

Miscellaneous Relief

#10

May 08, 2026

Miscellaneous Relief

#11

May 08, 2026

Miscellaneous Relief

#12

May 13, 2026

Notice of Attorney Appearance

#13

May 13, 2026

Miscellaneous Relief

#14

May 18, 2026

Text Order MOOTING 9 Motion for Immediate Release. Based upon 13 Opposed Amended Motion for Immediate Release from Custody filed by counsel, the Court deems the earlier motion moot. Entered by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (rw) (Entered: 05/18/2026)

#15

May 18, 2026

Text Order MOOTING 10 Motion for Immediate Release. Based upon 13 Opposed Amended Motion for Immediate Release from Custody filed by counsel, the Court deems the earlier motion moot. Entered by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (rw) (Entered: 05/18/2026)

#16

May 18, 2026

Text Order MOOTING 11 Motion for Immediate Release. Based upon 13 Opposed Amended Motion for Immediate Release from Custody filed by counsel, the Court deems the earlier motion moot. Entered by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (rw) (Entered: 05/18/2026)

#17

May 18, 2026

TEXT ORDER GRANTING 1 PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS and MOOTING 13 Opposed Amended Motion for Immediate Release from Custody. Petitioner claims that Respondents have violated procedural due process rights under the Fifth Amendment based on a significant presence in the United States and/or an improper revocation of release. Respondents have submitted a response in opposition. After reviewing the briefing, provided evidence, and applicable law, the Court grants the petition based on the law as set out and analyzed in Longoria Mendoza v. Noem, ___ F. Supp. 3d ___, ___, No 5:26-CV-0728-JKP, 2026 WL 809441 (W.D. Tex. Feb. 26, 2026) and numerous other cases decided by the undersigned. While there are differences between this case and Longoria Mendoza, none warrant a different result. For reasons previously stated in Longoria Mendoza, the Court finds that (1) it has jurisdiction to consider the arguments presented in the instant habeas petition; (2) any asserted failure to exhaust administrative remedies is excused; (3) Respondents have violated Petitioner's procedural due process rights; and (4) fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412 are not available in habeas corpus proceedings like this one. The Court treats the instant action solely as a habeas action under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 and declines to consider any claim other than the alleged violation of procedural due process. The Court has considered the arguments Respondents make in response and rejects them for reasons stated in prior cases. Under the facts and circumstances of this case, this Court concludes Petitioner's detention is unlawful, and habeas relief is proper. Given this ruling, it moots the motion. Because Petitioner has no known criminal history, had been complying with the terms of a prior release, and there is no indication of flight risk or danger to the community, it is ORDERED that on or before May 20, 2026, Respondents shall RELEASE Petitioner Virgen Tatiana Castillo Cobas from custody to a public location, under conditions no more restrictive than those in place before the detention at issue. Respondents must NOTIFY Petitioner's counsel of the exact location and exact time of release as soon as practicable and no less than two hours before release. Any possible or anticipated removal or transfer of Petitioner under this present detention is PROHIBITED. No later than the next business day after the ordered release date, Respondents shall FILE a status report to confirm whether Petitioner has been released. If counsel for Petitioner disagrees with any aspect of the filed Status Report, counsel may file a separate Status Report. A written final judgment will be issued separately to summarize the orders of the Court and to close this habeas case. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (rw) Modified on 5/18/2026 (rw). (Entered: 05/18/2026)

May 18, 2026

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

#18

May 19, 2026

Judgment

#19

May 21, 2026

Status Report