Active
Case Information
Filed: April 21, 2026
Assigned to:
Esther Salas
Referred to:
—
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause:
28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (federa
Active
Last Activity:
April 23, 2026
Parties:
View All Parties →
Docket Entries
#1
Apr 21, 2026
Emergency PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17333151.), filed by ALEJANDRO ROBERTO RIOS PACHUCA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit A - Detainee Locator)(MONTERO, FRANKLIN) (Entered: 04/21/2026)
Main Document:
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
#2
Apr 21, 2026
Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by ALEJANDRO ROBERTO RIOS PACHUCA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(MONTERO, FRANKLIN) (Entered: 04/21/2026)
Main Document:
Temporary Restraining Order
#3
Apr 21, 2026
TEXT ORDER. Respondents are hereby enjoined from transferring Petitioner from New Jersey pending further Order of the Court.. So Ordered by Chief Judge Renee Marie Bumb on 4/21/26. (tjg, ) (Entered: 04/21/2026)
Apr 21, 2026
Case assigned to Judge Esther Salas. (tjg, )
Apr 21, 2026
Case Assigned/Reassigned
Apr 21, 2026
Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order
#4
Apr 22, 2026
TEXT ORDER : This matter is before the Court on the Petitioner's petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241,(D.E. No. 1 ("Petition" or "Pet.")), and his motion for a temporary restraining order, (D.E. No. 2 ("TRO Motion" or "TRO Mot.")). Petitioner Alejandro Roberto Rios Pachuca, a citizen of Mexico, alleges that he entered the United States in 2015. (Pet. Para. 2). He is married to a United States citizen and has two United States citizen children, aged nine and two. (Id. Para. 3). He has no criminal history. (Id. Para. 2). Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") arrested him on April 15, 2026, and detained him at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey. (Id. Para. 2). Based on Petitioner's allegations and this Court's recent decision in Diaz Rudecindo v. Florentino, No. 25-16942, 2025 WL 3470299 (D.N.J. Dec. 3, 2025), the Court holds that Petitioner is subject to detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) and that Respondents have unlawfully detained Petitioner under § 1225(b) in violation of the INA and his Fifth Amendment right to due process. See also Rivera Zumba v. Bondi, No. 25-14626, 2025 WL 2753496 (D.N.J. Sept. 26, 2025); Vasquez Lucero v. Soto, et al, No. 25-16737, 2025 WL 3240895 (D.N.J. Nov. 20, 2025); Quintanar Hernandez v. Bondi, No. 26-04096, D.E. No. 4 (D.N.J. Apr. 17, 2026)."Moreover, although 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) permits discretionary detention of noncitizens based on flight risk or dangerousness, it appears that Respondents have detained Petitioner under a flawed interpretation of § 1225(b)(2), which has been rejected by numerous Courts in this District; this Court will not correct Respondents' unlawful detention under § 1225(b)(2) by converting Petitioner's detention to a 'potentially lawful alternate form under a different statute with different procedural requirements and rules.'" Alvarez Hererra v. Soto, et al., No. 26-2482, (D.N.J. Apr. 22, 2026) (quoting Fajardo-Nugra v. Soto, No. 26-975, 2026 WL 579192, at *2 (D.N.J. Mar. 2, 2026) (granting petitioner's habeas petition and ordering his release based on respondents' flawed application of § 1225(b)(2))); see also Beteta Beteta v. Blanche, No. 26- 4132 (D.N.J. Apr. 20, 2026). The Court thus GRANTS the Petition, (D.E. No. 1 ), and ORDERS that Respondents release Petitioner within 24 hours. Alternatively, if Respondents contend that Petitioner's case is legally distinguishable from those cited herein or that he has misrepresented his criminal history, they shall file an expedited answer within 48 hours. If Respondents do not file an expedited answer, they shall file a status report within 48 hours confirming the time of Petitioner's release. Additionally, the Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order, (D.E. No. 2 ), shall be TERMINATED considering the relief provided. The Clerk of Court shall forward a copy of the Petition, (D.E. No. 1 ), the attachments to the Petition, (D.E. Nos. 1 -1 through 1 -2), the Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, (D.E. No. 2 ), and this Text Order to the Chief, Civil Division, United States Attorney's Office, at the following email address: USANJ-HabeasCases@usdoj.gov. So Ordered by Judge Esther Salas on 4/22/2026. (ek) (Entered: 04/22/2026)
#5
Apr 22, 2026
Notice of Appearance
Main Document:
Notice of Appearance
#6
Apr 22, 2026
Status Report
Main Document:
Status Report
Apr 22, 2026
Text Order
Apr 23, 2026
Text Order
Apr 23, 2026
Terminate Civil Case
Parties
BONDI
Party
RIOS PACHUCA
Party