Southern District of Texas • 5:25-cv-00186

#1

Oct 20, 2025

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ATXSDC-34342923) filed by Oniss Siomara Vargas Istamo. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit IJ Order, # 2 Exhibit Declaration, # 3 Exhibit Feb. ICE Directive, # 4 Exhibit March DHS Memo, # 5 Exhibit July ICE Directive, # 6 Exhibit Sen. Warren Ltr., # 7 Civil Cover Sheet) (Doak, Micah) (Entered: 10/20/2025)

#2

Oct 20, 2025

Request for Issuance of Summons as to Pamela Bondi, Kristi Noem, Orlando Perez, Miguel Vergara, filed. (Attachments: # 1 Continuation Summons for Vergara, # 2 Continuation Summons for Noem, # 3 Continuation Summons for Bondi) (Doak, Micah) (Entered: 10/20/2025)

#3

Oct 20, 2025

Ex Parte EMERGENCY MOTION, Ex Parte MOTION for Writ Habeas Corpus, Ex Parte MOTION for Order to Show Cause as to why the writ of Habeas Corpus should not be granted( Motion Docket Date 11/10/2025.) by Oniss Siomara Vargas Istamo, filed. (Doak, Micah) (Entered: 10/20/2025)

#4

Oct 20, 2025

ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Brian C. Bajew. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (tat5) (Entered: 10/20/2025)

Oct 20, 2025

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. (tat5)

Oct 20, 2025

Referral Judge Selected

#5

Oct 21, 2025

ORDER. The Court ORDERS Respondents to file a response and serve their response on Petitioner no later than twenty days after receipt of service. 28 U.S.C. § 2243. Should Petitioner wish to file a reply, she may do so within seven days after Respondents file their responses. Respondents are ORDERED to notify Petitioners counsel and the Court of any anticipated or planned transfer or removal of Petitioner outside of the Southern District of Texas, including notice of a designated country of removal, at least ten (10) days before any such transfer. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (tat5) (Entered: 10/21/2025)

#7

Nov 03, 2025

Certified Mail Receipt Returned as to U.S Attorney Nicholas Ganjei, executed on 10/25/25 - receipt attached, access restricted to court users for privacy reasons -, filed. (tat5) (Entered: 11/03/2025)

#8

Nov 03, 2025

Certified Mail Receipt Returned Undeliverable as to U.S Attorney's Office in Laredo - receipt attached, access restricted to court users for privacy reasons -, filed. (tat5) Modified on 11/3/2025 (tat5). (Entered: 11/03/2025)

#10

Nov 06, 2025

Certified Mail Receipt Returned, executed on 10/29/2025 - receipt attached, access restricted to court users for privacy reasons -, filed. (tat5) (Entered: 11/06/2025)

#11

Nov 06, 2025

Certified Mail Receipt Returned, executed on 10/30/2025 - receipt attached, access restricted to court users for privacy reasons -, filed. (tat5) (Entered: 11/06/2025)

#12

Nov 06, 2025

RESPONSE to Petitioner's 1 Writ if Habeas Corpus and Motion for Summary Judgment, filed by Pamela Bondi. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit) (Duke, Lance) Modified on 11/6/2025 (jgr5). (Entered: 11/06/2025)

#13

Nov 13, 2025

REPLY to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, and 12 Respondents' Response to Petitioner's Writ of Habeas Corpus, filed by Oniss Siomara Vargas Istamo. (Doak, Micah) (Entered: 11/13/2025)

#14

Nov 14, 2025

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Kimberlyn Hughes (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-34506933)Motions referred to Brian C Bajew. by Oniss Siomara Vargas Istamo, filed. Motion Docket Date 12/5/2025. (Hughes, Kimberlyn) (Entered: 11/14/2025)

#15

Nov 17, 2025

ORDER granting 14 Motion for Kimberlyn Hughes to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Magistrate Judge Brian C Bajew) Parties notified. (mtl5) (Entered: 11/17/2025)

#16

Nov 18, 2025

Clerk's Notice of Redaction Responsibilities and Privacy Protection. Parties notified, filed. (dek4) (Entered: 11/18/2025)

#17

Nov 19, 2025

Certified Mail Receipt Returned, executed on 10/29/2025 - receipt attached, access restricted to court users for privacy reasons -, filed. (tat5) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

#18

Nov 19, 2025

Certified Mail Receipt Returned, executed on 10/30/2025 - receipt attached, access restricted to court users for privacy reasons -, filed. (tat5) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

#19

Nov 26, 2025

RESPONSE in Opposition to 12 MOTION for Summary Judgment, filed by Oniss Siomara Vargas Istamo. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Doak, Micah) (Entered: 11/26/2025)

#20

Dec 03, 2025

NOTICE of Setting re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, 12 MOTION for Summary Judgment. Parties notified. Motion Hearing set for 12/16/2025 at 09:30 AM by video before Judge John A Kazen, filed. (jgr5) (Entered: 12/03/2025)

#21

Dec 09, 2025

NOTICE of Setting re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, 12 MOTION for Summary Judgment. Parties notified. Motion Hearing set for 12/16/2025 at 09:30 AM before Judge John A Kazen, filed. Counsel may appear in person or by Zoom videoconference and notify opposing counsel of their intent to appear in person no later than 12/12/2025 at 5:00 p.m. (jgr5) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

#22

Dec 15, 2025

NOTICE of Resetting. Parties notified. Motion Hearings RESET to 12/16/2025 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 2A before Judge John A Kazen, filed. (jgr5) (Entered: 12/15/2025)

#23

Dec 15, 2025

NOTICE of Resetting. Parties notified. Motion Hearing RESET to 12/16/2025 at 09:30 AM in Courtroom 2A and by Zoom videoconference before Judge John A Kazen, filed. (jgr5) (Entered: 12/15/2025)

#24

Dec 16, 2025

ADVISORY by Pamela Bondi, Kristi Noem, Miguel Vergara, filed. (Duke, Lance) (Entered: 12/16/2025)

Dec 16, 2025

Motion Hearing

Dec 16, 2025

Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge John A. Kazen. MOTION HEARING held on 12/16/2025 on Respondents' Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. No. 12). The Court received arguments from the parties. Counsel for Respondents provided new information re the status of Petitioner's proceedings to remove her to a third country, and the Court ordered Respondents to file an advisory by 5 PM today, containing the new information. The Court takes the motion under advisement. Written order to follow. In-person appearances: Kimberlyn Hughes f/PETITIONER. Appearances by Zoom videoconference: Lance Duke f/RESPONDENTS. (Time in court: 9:32 - 10:29 a.m.) (ERO: Ben Mendoza), filed. (jgr5)

#25

Dec 19, 2025

ORDER denying Respondents' 12 Motion for Summary Judgment. Vargas Istamo's Emergency 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus is GRANTED IN PART AND STAYED IN PART. The Court ORDERS Respondents to release Vargas Istamo by 12/22/2025 at 5:00 p.m. The Court ORDERS that Vargas Istamo's conditions of release allow her to travel to New Jersey to reside with her family. The Court further ORDERS that Vargas Istamo cannot be re-detained without a bond hearing to determine whether there has been a material change in circumstances; and she may only be subject to detention if there is a material change in circumstances. The 10-day notice provision from the Court's October 21 5 Order, REMAINS in effect. No later than 12/23/2025 at 5:00 p.m. the parties shall provide the Court with a status concerning Vargos Istamo's release. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (jgr5) (Entered: 12/19/2025)

#26

Dec 22, 2025

Certified Mail Receipt Returned UNDELIVERABLE as to US Attorney's Office in Laredo - receipt attached, access restricted to court users for privacy reasons -, filed. (tat5) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

#27

Dec 23, 2025

Certified Mail Receipt Returned - receipt attached, access restricted to court users for privacy reasons -, filed. (tat5) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

#28

Dec 23, 2025

JOINT STATUS UPDATE by Pamela Bondi, Kristi Noem, Orlando Perez, Miguel Vergara, filed. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1) (Iglesias, Alyssa) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

#29

Dec 24, 2025

OBJECTIONS to Petitioner's Condition of Supervision, filed by Oniss Siomara Vargas Istamo. (Hughes, Kimberlyn) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

#30

Dec 29, 2025

ORDER. Respondents are ordered to respond to Petitioner's objection to electronic monitoring, (Dkt. No. 29), and provide the Court with a status report regarding Vargas Istamo's other release conditions, by 1/5/2026. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (jgr5) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

#31

Jan 05, 2026

Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File ResponseMotions referred to Brian C Bajew. by Pamela Bondi, Kristi Noem, Miguel Vergara, filed. Motion Docket Date 1/26/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Iglesias, Alyssa) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

#32

Jan 06, 2026

ORDER granting Respondents' 31 Motion for Extension of Time. Respondents are ORDERED to file their response to Petitioner's 3 motion by 1/6/2026. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (jgr5) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

#33

Jan 06, 2026

RESPONSE to Objection to Conditions of Release and Advisory to the Court, filed by Pamela Bondi, Kristi Noem, Miguel Vergara. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit) (Duke, Lance) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

#34

Jan 08, 2026

Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File a reply in support of objections to the electronic monitoring requirement.Motions referred to Brian C Bajew. by Oniss Siomara Vargas Istamo, filed. Motion Docket Date 1/29/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Hughes, Kimberlyn) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

#35

Jan 09, 2026

ORDER granting 34 Motion for Leave to File to File a Reply in Support of Objections to the Electronic Monitoring Requirement. The Court GRANTS Petitioner leave to file a reply to her objections by 1/13/2026..(Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (jgr5) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

#36

Jan 13, 2026

REPLY to 29 Objections, 33 Response in Support of Objections to Electronic Monitoring Requirement, filed by Oniss Siomara Vargas Istamo. (Hughes, Kimberlyn) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

#37

Feb 03, 2026

MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER. Petitioner's 29 Objections to the Electronic Monitoring Requirement in Her Conditions of Release, are OVERRULED.The following orders REMAIN IN EFFECT: Vargas Istamo's conditions of release must allow her to travel to New Jersey to reside with her family; Vargas Istamo cannot be re-detained without a bond hearing to determine whether there has been a material change in circumstances; she may only be subject to detention if there is a material change in circumstances; and Respondents must provide 10-day notice of any anticipated removal of Petitioner. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (jgr5) (Entered: 02/03/2026)