Middle District of Florida • 2:26-cv-00745

#1

Mar 16, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus - Federal (Filing fee $ 5.00, receipt number 17438) filed by Juan Efren Gonzalez. (Attachments: # 1 Letter to the Clerk, # 2 Mailing Envelope) (FLY) (Entered: 03/16/2026)

#2

Mar 17, 2026

ORDER directing service of the habeas petition (Doc. 1) and setting an expedited briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 3/17/2026. (NMC) (Entered: 03/17/2026)

#3

Mar 23, 2026

Notice of appearance

#4

Mar 24, 2026

Dismiss

#5

Mar 24, 2026

Dismiss / Lack of Jurisdiction

#6

Mar 25, 2026

ENDORSED ORDER denying Respondent Warden of Florida Soft Side South's Motion to Dismiss Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 4). "The federal habeas statute straightforwardly provides that the proper respondent to a habeas petition is the person who has custody over the petitioner." Rumsfeld v. Padilla, 542 U.S. 426, 434 (2004) (cleaned up). While courts have recognized that immigration detainees in state-run facilities can bring habeas claims against certain federal officials, see, e.g., Masingene v. Martin, 424 F. Supp. 3d 1298, 1301 (S.D. Fla. 2020), the immediate custodian is also a proper respondent. As the immediate custodian of the petitioner, the Warden is a proper respondent to his habeas petition. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 3/25/2026. (SAP) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

Mar 25, 2026

Order on Motion to Dismiss

#7

Mar 27, 2026

ENDORSED ORDER granting the government's Motion to Dismiss Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 5). Petitioner Juan Efren Gonzalez challenged the legality of his immigration detention, alleging removal was not reasonably foreseeable. The government removed Gonzalez after he signed the petition but before the Court received it. Because Gonzalez has been removed from the country and is no longer in immigration detention, his petition is DISMISSED as moot. The Clerk is DIRECTED to terminate any pending motions and deadlines, enter judgment, and close this case. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 3/27/2026. (NMC) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

Mar 27, 2026

Order on Motion to Dismiss / Lack of Jurisdiction

#8

Mar 30, 2026

Judgment

#12

Apr 23, 2026

Proof of Service