Western District of Texas • 5:26-cv-02716

#1

Apr 06, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ATXSDC-35506685) filed by Regina Lucia Gonga. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Renaud, Kymberly) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 4/24/2026.] (Entered: 04/06/2026)

#2

Apr 06, 2026

Clerk's Notice of Redaction Responsibilities and Privacy Protection. Parties notified, filed. (SDTX_CMECF_AutoDocket, ) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 4/24/2026.] (Entered: 04/06/2026)

#3

Apr 06, 2026

CLERKS NOTICE Regarding Consent to Jurisdiction of Magistrate Judge. Parties notified, filed. (bsg4) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 4/24/2026.] (Entered: 04/06/2026)

Apr 06, 2026

Referral Judge Selected: Magistrate Judge Yvonne Y. Ho randomly selected to receive referrals. The selected Magistrate Judge is not assigned to this case until a District Judge refers the case or a motion or the parties consent to jurisdiction of the Magistrate Judge. Once a referral has been made, the name of the referral judge will appear at the top of the docket sheet. (bsg4) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 4/24/2026.]

#4

Apr 08, 2026

ORDER TO ANSWER. Re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Served electronically on USAO per MOU.) (Signed by Judge Kenneth M Hoyt) Parties notified. (bli4) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 4/24/2026.] (Entered: 04/08/2026)

#5

Apr 22, 2026

Unopposed MOTION to Dismiss 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Todd Blanche, Bret Bradford, Markwayne Mullin, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/13/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Proposed Order) (Perry, Catina) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 4/24/2026.] (Entered: 04/22/2026)

#6

Apr 24, 2026

ORDER TO TRANSFER CASE to WDTX San Antonio; GRANTING 5 Unopposed Motion to Dismiss Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, or Alternatively, To Transfer Venue. (Signed by Judge Kenneth M Hoyt) Parties notified. (bnb6) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 4/24/2026.] (Entered: 04/24/2026)

#7

Apr 24, 2026

Case electronically transferred in from the Southern District of Texas-Houston Division; Case Number 4:26-cv-02720. (Entered: 04/24/2026)

Apr 24, 2026

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

Apr 24, 2026

Interdistrict transfer to WDTX San Antonio Division. Case transferred electronically. Case terminated on 4/24/2026, filed. (bnb6) [Transferred from Texas Southern on 4/24/2026.]

Apr 24, 2026

Remark (No Doc#)

Apr 24, 2026

Case assigned to Judge Jason K. Pulliam. CM WILL NOW REFLECT THE JUDGE INITIALS AS PART OF THE CASE NUMBER. PLEASE APPEND THESE JUDGE INITIALS TO THE CASE NUMBER ON EACH DOCUMENT THAT YOU FILE IN THIS CASE. (bt)

Apr 27, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Apr 27, 2026

To be Referred to SA Mag Judge

#8

Apr 28, 2026

Order

#9

May 20, 2026

Show Cause

#10

May 21, 2026

Text ORDER FOR SERVICE of 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. It is ORDERED that notice of electronic filing of 1 Petition and this Order to the United States Attorney in San Antonio, Texas shall constitute service on the Federal Respondents and on all Respondents unless otherwise contested. It is FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents shall file a response to the Petition within seven (7) days of the date of service. The response must identify: (1) Petitioner's alleged country of birth, so that Petitioner can be located in the Online Detainee Locator System; (2) Petitioner's alleged date of entry and statutory basis for removability; (3) any previous immigration detention history, e.g., whether Petitioner has previously been subject to immigration detention and, if so, the approximate date of Petitioner's previous release into the interior; and (4) Petitioner's alleged immigration status, e.g., whether Petitioner has a pending claim for asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture or is subject to a final removal order. It is FURTHER ORDERED that, if Petitioner elects to file a reply, Petitioner may do so no later than seven days after the Respondents file their answers/responses. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (rw) (Entered: 05/21/2026)

#11

May 21, 2026

Text Order MOOTING 9 Application for Issuance of Order to Show Cause. Based upon 10 Text ORDER FOR SERVICE, the motion is moot. Entered by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (rw) (Entered: 05/21/2026)

May 21, 2026

Order

May 21, 2026

Order on Motion to Show Cause

#12

May 28, 2026

Response

#13

Jun 29, 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. 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, had been complying with the terms of a prior release, and there is no indication of flight risk or danger to the community, it is ORDERED that on or before July 1, 2026, Respondents shall RELEASE Petitioner Regina Lucia Gonga from custody to a public location, under conditions no more restrictive than those in place before the detention at issue. Respondents must NOTIFY Petitioner's counsel 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. If counsel for Petitioner disagrees with any aspect of the filed Status Report, counsel may file a separate Status Report. 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.) (rw) (Entered: 06/29/2026)

#14

Jun 29, 2026

FINAL JUDGMENT in favor of REGINA LUCIA GONGA--1. On or before July 1, 2026, Respondents shall RELEASE Petitioner Regina Lucia Gonga from custody to a public location under conditions no more restrictive than those in place before the detention at issue. 2. Respondents must NOTIFY Petitioners counsel of the exact location and exact time of release as soon as practicable and no less than two hours before release. 3. Any possible or anticipated removal or transfer of Petitioner under this present detention is PROHIBITED. 4. 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. If counsel for Petitioner disagrees with any aspect of the filed Status Report, counsel may file a separate Status Report. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to close this case. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (bt) (Entered: 06/29/2026)

Jun 29, 2026

Order

#15

Jul 02, 2026

Status Report