Middle District of Florida • 2:26-cv-01650

#1

May 14, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus - Federal (Filing fee $ 5 receipt number AFLMDC-24955297) filed by Manuel Cavadia Villaroel. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C)(Cano, Mariela) (Entered: 05/14/2026)

#2

May 15, 2026

NEW CASE ASSIGNED to Judge Sheri Polster Chappell and Magistrate Judge Kevin R. Huguelet. New case number: 2:26-cv-1650-SPC-KRH. (AA) (Entered: 05/15/2026)

#3

May 15, 2026

NOTICE TO COUNSEL Mariela Elisa Cano of Local Rule 2.01(b)(2)(B), which requires members of the Middle District bar to maintain with the clerk a current telephone number, mailing address, and email address. Update your contact information for the Middle District through PACER. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (AA) (Entered: 05/15/2026)

#4

May 15, 2026

NOTICE TO COUNSEL Mariela Elisa Cano of Local Rule 2.02(a), which states, "The first paper filed on behalf of a party must designate only one lead counsel who - unless the party changes the designation - remains lead counsel throughout the action." Counsel must file a Notice of Lead Counsel Designation identifying lead counsel. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (AA) (Entered: 05/15/2026)

May 15, 2026

Notice to Counsel of Local Rule

May 15, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

#5

May 18, 2026

Order to Respond to Habeas Petition

#6

May 24, 2026

Notice of appearance

#7

May 24, 2026

Notice of appearance

#8

May 26, 2026

Response to habeas petition

#9

May 26, 2026

Dismiss

#10

May 27, 2026

ENDORSED ORDER denying Respondent Warden of Florida Soft Side South's Motion to Dismiss Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 9). "The federal habeas statute straightforwardly provides that the proper respondent to a habeas petition is the person who has custody over the petitioner." Rumsfeld v. Padilla, 542 U.S. 426, 434 (2004) (cleaned up). While courts have recognized that immigration detainees in state-run facilities can bring habeas claims against certain federal officials, see, e.g., Masingene v. Martin, 424 F. Supp. 3d 1298, 1301 (S.D. Fla. 2020), the immediate custodian is also a proper respondent. As the immediate custodian of the petitioner, the Warden is a proper respondent to his habeas petition. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 5/27/2026. (SAP) (Entered: 05/27/2026)

#11

May 27, 2026

ENDORSED ORDER granting Manuel Rafael Cavadia Villaroel's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 1). The petitioner is entitled to a bond hearing based upon the Eleventh Circuit's opinion in Hernandez Alvarez v. Warden, --- F.4th ---, 2026 WL 1243395 (11th Cir. 2026). The Court orders the Respondents to bring Petitioner before an immigration judge for an individualized bond hearing within ten days of the date of this Order. The hearing must include--and the resulting order must reflect--consideration of the factors set forth in In re Guerra, 24 I. & N. Dec. 37 (BIA 2006), and the government must bear the burden of proof. If Respondents are unable to ensure Petitioner receives a bond hearing that complies with this Order within ten days, they must release him under reasonable conditions of supervision. The Clerk is DIRECTED to terminate any pending motions and deadlines, enter judgment, and close the case. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 5/27/2026. (NMC) (Entered: 05/27/2026)

#12

May 27, 2026

Judgment - Prisoner

May 27, 2026

Order on Motion to Dismiss

May 27, 2026

Opinion and order AND Order Dismissing Case

#13

Jun 09, 2026

Proof of Service

#14

Jun 09, 2026

Proof of Service

#15

Jun 15, 2026

MOTION to Enforce Judgment by Manuel Rafael Cavadia Villaroel. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Cano, Mariela) (Entered: 06/15/2026)

#16

Jun 16, 2026

ENDORSED ORDER directing the government to respond to Petitioner's Motion to Reopen Case for Limited Purpose of Enforcement of Habeas Order and Motion to Enforce Judgment (Doc. 15) by 5:00 p.m. on 6/16/2026. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 6/16/2026. (NMC) (Entered: 06/16/2026)

#17

Jun 16, 2026

Response to motion

Jun 16, 2026

Order

#18

Jun 18, 2026

Order on Motion to Enforce Judgment