District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-04563

#1

Apr 26, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17349953.), filed by HASAN ALMASRI. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(SALEEM, MOHAMMAD) (Entered: 04/26/2026)

#2

Apr 26, 2026

Emergency MOTION for Order to Show Cause, Emergency MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by HASAN ALMASRI. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration in Support of Petitioner's Emergency OSC, # 2 Exhibit "A" - Interim Notice Authorizing Parole, # 3 Exhibit "B" - Medical Documents, # 4 Exhibit "C" - Mountaha Saad's Affidavit in Support, # 5 Exhibit "D" - Hisham Mafarja's Affidavit in Support, # 6 Exhibit "E" - Reem Saad's Affidavit in Support, # 7 Exhibit "F" - Employment Verification, # 8 Memorandum in Support of Petitioner's Emergency OSC)(SALEEM, MOHAMMAD) (Entered: 04/26/2026)

#3

Apr 26, 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 4/26/2026. (jml, ) (Entered: 04/26/2026)

Apr 26, 2026

Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order

Apr 26, 2026

Judge Esther Salas added. (jml, )

Apr 26, 2026

Add and Terminate Judges

#4

Apr 28, 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 Hasan Almasri, a citizen of Lebanon, alleges that he entered the United States on or about May 22, 2024. (Pet. Para. 36). He is engaged to a United States citizen. (Id. Para. 35). He has no criminal history. (TRO Mot. Para. 11). Prior to his detention, Mr. Almasri had worked for VIP Realty, Inc. since May 3, 2025. (Id.).Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") arrested him on April 14, 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 TRO Motion, (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 TRO Motion, (D.E. Nos. 2 & 2-1 through 2-8), 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 4/28/2026. (ek) (Entered: 04/28/2026)

Apr 28, 2026

Text Order

#5

Apr 29, 2026

Notice of Appearance

#6

Apr 29, 2026

Letter