Western District of Texas • 5:26-cv-02137

#1

Mar 30, 2026

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number 10820), filed by Santiago Aranza Catalan. (Attachments: # 1 Cover Sheet, # 2 Envelope, # 3 Receipt)(r013) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

#2

Mar 30, 2026

Case Opening Letter sent to Santiago Aranza Catalan. (bc) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

Mar 30, 2026

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

Mar 30, 2026

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

Apr 02, 2026

Remark (No Doc#)

Apr 02, 2026

To be Referred to SA Mag Judge

#3

Apr 03, 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 April 10, 2026.. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (vl) (Entered: 04/06/2026)

#4

Apr 06, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt of 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, 3 Order, (vl) (Entered: 04/06/2026)

#5

Apr 10, 2026

RESPONSE to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Pam Bondi, Todd M. Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C)(Playton, Christina) (Entered: 04/10/2026)

#6

Apr 13, 2026

Certified Mail Receipt delivered Stephanie Rico, Civil Process Clerk U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Texas of 4 Certified Mail Receipt. (ktm) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

#7

May 22, 2026

REPLY to 5 Response by Santiago Aranza Catalan. (vl) (Entered: 05/27/2026)

#9

Jul 09, 2026

ORDER FOR OMNIBUS ADVISORY. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (r013) (Entered: 07/09/2026)

#10

Jul 13, 2026

ORDER VACATING re 9 Order for Omnibus Advisory. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (r013) (Entered: 07/13/2026)

#11

Jul 13, 2026

MOTION FOR PROMPT DISPOSITION OF HABEAS PETITION by Santiago Aranza Catalan. (cih) (Entered: 07/15/2026)

Jul 16, 2026

Text Order DENYING 11 Motion for Expedited Review or Motion to Expedite. This Court has received hundreds of habeas corpus petitions in recent months. This Petition will be assessed, and the Court will issue a ruling, in due course. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (lc)

Jul 16, 2026

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

#13

Sep 02, 2026

TEXT ORDER REQUIRING STATUS REPORT: Respondents are ordered to file a status report within seven days of this Order, advising the Court whether Petitioner is still in detention. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (Text-only entry; no associated document.)(lc) (Entered: 09/02/2026)

Sep 02, 2026

Order

#14

Sep 09, 2026

STATUS REPORT by Pam Bondi, Todd M. Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Fischer, Deborah) (Entered: 09/09/2026)

#15

Sep 10, 2026

TEXT ORDER GRANTING 1 PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS. 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, 823 F. Supp. 3d 636 (W.D. Tex. 2026) and numerous other cases decided by the undersigned. While there are differences between this case and Longoria Mendoza, none warrant a different result. The Court notes the en banc Fifth Circuit has stayed the district-court judgments pending rehearing in Sosnava Rodriguez v. Ortega, _ F.4th _, No. 26-50183, 2026 WL 2104747, at *1 (5th Cir. July 21, 2026) (per curiam). To the extent the Government contends that this stay prevents district courts from granting habeas relief on procedural-due-process grounds while rehearing is pending, this Court does not read the order so broadly. The Court is unaware of any Fifth Circuit decision or order holding that the stay categorically bars adjudication of, or relief on, such claims. Other courts have continued to consider due-process claims under pre-panel-decision analyses, including Perozo-Mata v. Blanche, _F. Supp. 3d _, No. 4:26-CV-05679, 2026 WL 2195373, at *3 (S.D. Tex. July 27, 2026). Absent further Fifth Circuit guidance, the stay in Sosnava Rodriguez does not preclude habeas relief on Petitioners due-process claim. 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. Because Petitioner has no known criminal history, has established a significant presence in the United States that requires due process protection, and there is no indication of flight risk or danger to the community, it is ORDERED that on or before September 12, 2026, Respondents shall RELEASE Petitioner Santiago Aranza Catalan from custody to a public location, under appropriate conditions of release. If at the time of detention, Petitioner was complying with terms of release imposed through an unexpired parole or other active release, the imposed appropriate conditions of release shall be no more restrictive than those in place before the detention at issue. Respondents must NOTIFY Petitioner's counsel, if any, 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. 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.) (lc) (Entered: 09/10/2026)

#16

Sep 10, 2026

FINAL JUDGMENT. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (cih) (Entered: 09/10/2026)

Sep 10, 2026

Order

#17

Sep 14, 2026

Status Report