Western District of Texas • 5:26-cv-02323
Solis Ortiz v. Warden, South Texas ICE Processing Center
Completed
Case Information
Filed: April 06, 2026
Assigned to:
Samuel Frederick Biery Jr.
Referred to:
—
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause:
28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (federa
Completed: September 23, 2026
Last Activity:
September 29, 2026
Parties:
View All Parties →
Docket Entries
#1
Apr 06, 2026
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number 10909), filed by Christopher Ismael Solis Ortiz. (Attachments: # 1 Cover Sheet, # 2 Envelope, # 3 Receipt)(r013) (Entered: 04/13/2026)
Main Document:
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
#2
Apr 06, 2026
Case Opening Letter sent to Christopher Ismael Solis Ortiz. (bc) (Entered: 04/13/2026)
Main Document:
Case Opening Letter
Apr 06, 2026
THIS CASE HAS BEEN RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO JUDGE FRED BIERY (bc)
Apr 06, 2026
If ordered by the court, all referrals will be assigned to Magistrate Judge Bemporad (bc)
Apr 13, 2026
To be Referred to SA Mag Judge
Apr 13, 2026
Remark (No Doc#)
#3
Apr 14, 2026
ORDER DIRECTING SERVICE and ANSWER/RESPONSE--IT IS ORDERED that Respondents file an answer or response to the Petition within thirty (30) days from the date of service. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (bt) (Entered: 04/15/2026)
Main Document:
Order
#4
Apr 16, 2026
Certified Mail Receipt as to Stephanie Rico, Civil Process Clerk & Renaldo Castro, Warden, South Texas ICE Processing Center of 3 Order, 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (bt) (Entered: 04/16/2026)
Main Document:
Certified Mail Receipt
#5
Apr 22, 2026
Certified Mail Receipt returned as delivered of 4 Certified Mail Receipt (llm) (Entered: 04/24/2026)
Main Document:
Certified Mail Receipt
#6
Apr 27, 2026
Certified Mail Receipt Returned (Renaldo Castro, Warden) of 4 Certified Mail Receipt (ab1) (Entered: 04/29/2026)
Main Document:
Certified Mail Receipt
#7
May 20, 2026
RESPONSE to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C)(Valenzuela, Sarah) (Entered: 05/20/2026)
Main Document:
Response
#8
May 21, 2026
ATTACHMENT Exhibit D to 7 Response by Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Valenzuela, Sarah) (Entered: 05/21/2026)
Main Document:
Attachment
#9
Jul 09, 2026
ORDER FOR OMNIBUS ADVISORY. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (r013) (Entered: 07/09/2026)
Main Document:
Order
#10
Jul 13, 2026
ORDER VACATING re 9 Order for Omnibus Advisory. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (r013) (Entered: 07/13/2026)
Main Document:
Order
#11
Aug 21, 2026
MOTION for Status update by Christopher Ismael Solis Ortiz. (rqr) (Entered: 08/25/2026)
Main Document:
Miscellaneous Relief
#12
Sep 23, 2026
TEXT ORDER GRANTING 1 PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS: Petitioner argues that Petitioner's detention is unlawful and asks the Court to order a bond hearing or Petitioner's release. Respondents have submitted a response in opposition to which Petitioner has replied. After reviewing the briefing, provided evidence, and applicable law, the Court grants the petition based on the law as set out and analyzed in Aguilar-Ramirez v. Mullin, Civil Case No. SA:26-CV-2102-FB (ECF No. 9) (W.D. Tex. Apr. 29, 2026) and numerous other cases decided by the undersigned. While there are differences between this case and Aguilar-Ramirez, 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, 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 while rehearing is pending, the Court disagrees. 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 Barreno Hernandez v. Warden DC Cole, Civil Action No. 5:26-CV-01279, ECF No. 9 at page 5 & n.2 (S.D. Tex. Jul. 24, 2026). Absent further Fifth Circuit guidance, the stay in Sosnava Rodriguez does not preclude habeas relief on Petitioner's due process claim. For reasons previously stated in Aguilar-Ramirez, 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 right to due process under the Fifth Amendment; and (4) the appropriate remedy is release. The Court treats the instant action solely as a habeas action under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 and declines to consider Bautista v. Noem, No. 5:25-CV-01873-SSS-BFM (C.D. Cal. Dec. 18, 2025), or other challenges presented. Under the facts and circumstances of this case, this Court concludes Petitioner's detention is unlawful, and habeas relief is proper. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (ECF No. 1) is GRANTED such that: Respondents are ORDERED to RELEASE Petitioner Christopher Ismael Solis Ortiz 246796587 from custody, under reasonable conditions of supervision, to a public place no later than September 26, 2026. The imposed reasonable conditions of supervision shall be no more restrictive than those in place before the detention at issue. Respondents shall FILE a status report no later than September 27, 2026, confirming that 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 Fred Biery. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (swt) (Entered: 09/23/2026)
#13
Sep 23, 2026
JUDGMENT. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (rqr) (Entered: 09/24/2026)
Main Document:
Judgment
Sep 23, 2026
Order
#14
Sep 25, 2026
TEXT ORDER EXTENDING Respondents' deadline to FILE a status report confirming that Petitioner has been released to September 29, 2026. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (swt) (Entered: 09/25/2026)
Sep 25, 2026
Order
#15
Sep 29, 2026
STATUS REPORT by Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Adams, Roy) (Entered: 09/29/2026)
Main Document:
Status Report
Parties
Solis Ortiz
Party
Warden, South Texas ICE Processing Center
Party