Eastern District of California • 1:26-cv-03100

#1

Apr 23, 2026

PETITION for WRIT of HABEAS CORPUS against Christopher Chestnut, Ernesto Santacruz by Elisbel Soriano-Vezquez. (Filing fee $ 5, receipt number ACAEDC-13229274) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit)(Molina, Vanessa) (Entered: 04/23/2026)

#2

Apr 24, 2026

CLERK'S NOTICE to Attorney Vanessa Molina re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus: Under Local Rule 200, every complaint, amended complaint, or other document initiating a civil action shall be accompanied by a completed civil cover sheet, on a form available from the Clerk and on the Court's website. Please file your civil cover sheet. If you need assistance, please contact the CM/ECF help desk at 866-884-5444. (Deputy Clerk SSA) (Entered: 04/24/2026)

#3

Apr 24, 2026

CIVIL COVER SHEET filed by Elisbel Soriano-Vezquez. (Molina, Vanessa) (Entered: 04/24/2026)

#4

Apr 24, 2026

VISITING JUDGE NEW CASE DOCUMENT ISSUED. (Attachments: # 1 Litigant Letter) (Deputy Clerk MCF) (Entered: 04/24/2026)

#5

Apr 24, 2026

DESIGNATION of COUNSEL FOR SERVICE. Added attorney Audrey Benison Hemesath, GOVT for Christopher Chestnut,Audrey Benison Hemesath, GOVT for Ernesto Santacruz (Hemesath, Audrey) (Entered: 04/24/2026)

#6

Apr 24, 2026

EO: The court has received and reviewed Petitioner's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, Dkt. 1 . Pending the court's decision on the Petition, and unless and until the court orders otherwise, the court ORDERS that Respondents shall not transfer Petitioner out of this District. See F.T.C. v. Dean Foods Co., 384 U.S. 597, 604 (1966) (noting court's "express authority under the All Writs Act to issue such temporary injunctions as may be necessary to protect its own jurisdiction"). The issues raised in Count I of the Petition appear to mirror those previously addressed by other district judges in many prior cases. See, e.g., Omer G. G. v. Kaiser, 815 F. Supp. 3d 1098 (E.D. Cal. 2025); R.A.N.O. v. Wofford, No. 1:25-cv-01535-KES-EPG (HC), 2026 WL 40507 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 6, 2026); Ramazan M. v. Andrews, No. 1:25-cv-01356-KES-SKO (HC), 2025 WL 3145562 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 10, 2025). Given the substantial percolation of these issues, the court intends to rule directly on the Petition. See 28 U.S.C. § 2243 ("The court shall summarily hear and determine the facts, and dispose of [a petitioner's habeas petition] as law and justice require."). On or before April 28, 2026, Respondents are ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE as to whether there are any factual or legal issues in this case that render it distinguishable from prior orders such as the ones listed above and justify denying the Petition, or indicate this matter is not substantively distinguishable. Petitioner may file a reply on or before April 30, 2026. This matter is not set for a hearing though the court may set one should it later be determined that a hearing is necessary.Petitioner's counsel is DIRECTED to send a copy of the Petition, Dkt. 1, and provide the Petitioner's full name and A number to the U.S. Attorney's Office by the end of the day on April 24, 2026, at their email usacae.ecf2241-imm@usdoj.gov. Petitioner's Counsel shall file proof of such service on the docket. Counsel for Respondents shall promptly enter notices of appearance. IT IS SO ORDERED.(JUDGE MICAH W. J. SMITH) (ab) (Entered: 04/24/2026)

#7

Apr 24, 2026

CERTIFICATE / PROOF of SERVICE by Elisbel Soriano-Vazquez. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Molina, Vanessa) (Entered: 04/24/2026)

#8

Apr 24, 2026

OPPOSITION by Respondent Christopher Chestnut to 6 Minute Order,,,,,,,,,, Set/Reset Deadlines and Hearings,,,,,,,,,. (Hemesath, Audrey) (Entered: 04/24/2026)

Apr 24, 2026

Minute Order AND ~Util - 1 Set/Reset Deadlines and Hearings

#9

Apr 28, 2026

OPPOSITION by Respondents Christopher Chestnut, Ernesto Santacruz. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Expedited Removal, # 2 Exhibit Removal Order)(Hemesath, Audrey) (Entered: 04/28/2026)

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Apr 29, 2026

REPLY by Elisbel Soriano-Vazquez re 9 Opposition. (Molina, Vanessa) (Entered: 04/29/2026)

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Apr 30, 2026

EO: The court has received and reviewed Respondents' opposition, Dkt. No. 9, and Petitioner's reply, Dkt. No. 10 . In their opposition, Respondents argue that Petitioner's detention is lawful pursuant to both: (1) 8 U.S.C. § 1231(a)(2) because he is subject to a final order of removal, and (2) 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b) because he is in expedited removal proceedings. In support of their first argument, Respondents submit a Form I-860 (Notice and Order of Expedited Removal), Dkt. No. [9-1], but the bottom half of the form--that is, the portion labeled "Order of Removal Under Section 235(b)(1) of the Act"--is blank. Regarding their second argument, Respondents do no dispute that Petitioner was granted humanitarian parole pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)(A) in July 2021, but they do not explain how Petitioner might now be subject to expedited removal. Respondents are ORDERED to file a supplemental brief on or before May 4, 2026, addressing, at a minimum: (1) how the Form I-860 they provided satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 235.3(b)(7); and (2) how Petitioner might be subject to expedited removal given that he was previously granted humanitarian parole. In discussing these points, Respondents must specifically address Robles-Rodriguez v. Lyons, No. 1:25-cv-02001-KES-SAB (HC), 2026 WL 303482 (E.D. Cal. Feb. 4, 2026), and similar decisions. To the extent Respondents think that Robles-Rodriguezis factually or legally distinguishable or was wrongly decided, they must explain why. Petitioner may file a supplemental brief addressing Respondents' supplemental arguments on or before May 6, 2026. IT IS SO ORDERED.(JUDGE MICAH W. J. SMITH) (ab) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

Apr 30, 2026

Minute Order AND ~Util - 1 Set/Reset Deadlines and Hearings

#12

May 04, 2026

SUPPLEMENT by Christopher Chestnut, Ernesto Santacruz. (Hemesath, Audrey) (Entered: 05/04/2026)

#13

May 05, 2026

Order

#14

May 05, 2026

Judgment AND ~Util - Terminate Civil Case