District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-01504

#1

Feb 16, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17099531.), filed by RANJODH SINGH. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(GOLDMAN, MICHAEL) (Attachment 1 replaced on 2/18/2026) (mj, ). (Entered: 02/16/2026)

#2

Feb 17, 2026

MOTION for Order to Show Cause by RANJODH SINGH. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(GOLDMAN, MICHAEL) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb 17, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Feb 17, 2026

Case assigned to Judge Madeline Cox Arleo. (tjg, )

Feb 18, 2026

CLERK'S QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE - The 1 -1 Civil Cover Sheet filed by MICHAEL GOLDMAN on 2/16/2026 was uploaded prior to being flattened. Before uploading fillable forms to ECF you must flatten the file to prevent other users from manipulating or editing the information. The easiest way to flatten a PDF form is by selecting Print to PDF and saving the flattened form, other PDF software may differ. Please visit our website under Flattening PDF Forms for guidance. Your document has been corrected. This message is for informational purposes only. (mj)

Feb 18, 2026

QC - Fillable PDF

#3

Feb 19, 2026

ORDER TO ANSWER. Signed by Judge Madeline Cox Arleo on 2/19/2026. (ps) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

#4

Feb 20, 2026

Substitution of Attorney - Attorney FRANCES C. BAJADA terminated. Attorney BROOKS E. DOYNE for PAMELA BONDI,BROOKS E. DOYNE for TODD M. LYONS,BROOKS E. DOYNE for KRISTI NOEM,BROOKS E. DOYNE for LUIS SOTO added.. (DOYNE, BROOKS) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

#5

Feb 26, 2026

RESPONSE to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by PAMELA BONDI, TODD M. LYONS, KRISTI NOEM, LUIS SOTO. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(DOYNE, BROOKS) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#6

Feb 27, 2026

Letter from Michael Z. Goldman. (GOLDMAN, MICHAEL) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

#7

Apr 29, 2026

TEXT ORDER - Petitioner RANJODH SINGH alleges that he entered the United States without inspection on June 9, 2023, and has been detained without bond by immigration authorities since February 11, 2026. (Petition at 1-2; see also ECF No. 5-1.) In their Answer, Respondents concede these facts and rely on the same statutory arguments rejected by this Court in Vasquez Lucero v. Soto, et al, No. 25-16737-MCA, 2025 WL 3240895, at *1-2 (D.N.J. Nov. 20, 2025); see also Rivera Zumba v. Bondi, No. 25-14626 (KSH), 2025 WL 2753496 (D.N.J. Sept. 26, 2025). This Court holds that Petitioner is unlawfully detained under § 1225(b), in violation of the INA and his Fifth Amendment right to due process. 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." 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).) Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the Petition (ECF No. 1) is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Respondents shall release Petitioner within 24 hours. Respondents shall file a status report within 48 hours confirming the time of Petitioner's release. The Clerk of the Court shall terminate the Motion for an OTSC at ECF No. 2 considering the relief provided. So Ordered by Judge Madeline Cox Arleo on 4/29/2026. (aa, ) (Entered: 04/29/2026)

Apr 29, 2026

Order

#8

Apr 30, 2026

Declaration