District of Nevada • 2:26-cv-00778

#1

Mar 16, 2026

MOTION/APPLICATION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Petitioner Carlos Damas.. (Attachments: # 1 Petition for Writ Of Habeas Corpus, # 2 Ex Parte Motion for Appointment of Counsel)(JQC) (Entered: 03/17/2026)

#2

Mar 17, 2026

NOTICE from USDC advising case against Pamela Bondi, et al., has been received and assigned case number 2:26-cv-00778-RFB-MDC. (JQC) (Entered: 03/17/2026)

#3

Mar 17, 2026

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE Petitioner Carlos Damas, an immigration detainee, has filed a pro se Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (ECF No. 1 -1), a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 1 ) [hereinafter, "IFP Application"], and a motion for appointment of counsel (ECF No. 1 -2). He challenges the lawfulness of his ongoing detention at Nevada Southern Detention Center in the custody of Federal Respondents.Initially, the Court finds that good cause exists to grant Petitioner's IFP Application. As such, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED the IFP Application (ECF No. 1 ) is GRANTED.Additionally, the Court finds that the appointment of counsel is in the interest of justice, as this case necessarily implicates a complex web of detention authority developed specifically for noncitizens. See Torres v. Barr, 976 F.3d 918, 924 (9th Cir. 2020) (describing the Immigration and Nationality Act as: a "morass;" a "Gordian knot;" and "King Minos's labyrinth in ancient Crete.") (citations omitted). Accordingly, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED Petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel (ECF No. 1 -2) is GRANTED.The Federal Public Defender for the District of Nevada ("FPD") is HEREBY APPOINTED to represent Petitioner Carlos Damas and is directed to file a notice of appearance by March 19, 2026. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED Petitioner, with the assistance of counsel, must file an amended petition for a writ of habeas corpus by March 24, 2026.Alternatively, the FPD may notify the Court that it is unable to represent Petitioner. If the FPD is unable to represent Petitioner based on a conflict of interest, or for any other reason, alternate counsel will be appointed. Appointed counsel will represent Petitioner in all federal proceedings related to this matter, including any appeals or certiorari proceedings, unless appointed counsel is allowed to withdraw.IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court will send a copy of this Order to the FPD and the CJA coordinator for this division.IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents are ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE why the writ should not be granted. See 28 U.S.C. § 2243. Respondents shall file a notice of appearance by March 19, 2026. Furthermore, Respondents must file "a return certifying the true cause of detention" within 3 days of Petitioner either filing an amended petition. See id. Petitioner may file a traverse within 3 days of Respondents' filing their return.See Order to Show Cause for additional information. Signed by Judge Richard F. Boulware, II on 3/17/2026. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF. CC: CJA. A copy of the Petition (ECF No. 1 -1) and this Order distributed as instructed. - RJDG) (Entered: 03/17/2026)

Mar 17, 2026

Case randomly assigned to Judge Richard F. Boulware, II and Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier, III. Nature of Suit: 463 - Habeas Immigration (JQC)

Mar 17, 2026

Assign Judges in Civil Case

#4

Mar 19, 2026

Notice Appearance of Counsel

#5

Mar 23, 2026

Motion Extend/Shorten Time

#6

Mar 26, 2026

Notice Appearance of Counsel