Western District of Pennsylvania • 3:25-cv-00430

#1

Nov 19, 2025

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Filing fee $5, receipt number APAWDC-9206397), filed by AMILCAR CHOCOOJ CAAL, JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Sandoval-Moshenberg, Simon) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

Nov 20, 2025

Magistrate Judge Keith A. Pesto added. (bjr)

#2

Dec 17, 2025

RULE and ORDER: Service is to be made by counsel or, upon motion, by the Marshal. Within sixty days of service, respondent, through the United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, shall file a response to the allegations in the petition for the writ of habeas corpus, showing cause, if any, why the writ should not be granted. Signed by Magistrate Judge Keith A. Pesto on 12/17/2025. (bgs) (Entered: 12/17/2025)

#3

Dec 22, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by David Lew on behalf of PAMELA BONDI, TODD LYONS, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID O'NEILL, LEONARD ODDO. (Lew, David) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

#4

Dec 30, 2025

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by AMILCAR CHOCOOJ CAAL, JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA re 2 Order, (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, Proof of Service) (Sandoval-Moshenberg, Simon) (Entered: 12/30/2025)

#5

Jan 12, 2026

MOTION to Sever by PAMELA BONDI, TODD LYONS, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID O'NEILL, LEONARD ODDO. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Lew, David) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

#6

Jan 12, 2026

RESPONSE to Motion re 5 MOTION to Sever filed by AMILCAR CHOCOOJ CAAL, JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. (Sandoval-Moshenberg, Simon) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

#7

Jan 14, 2026

CONSENT to Trial/Jurisdiction by US Magistrate Judge OR District Judge Option, by PAMELA BONDI, TODD LYONS, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID O'NEILL, LEONARD ODDO. (Lew, David) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

#8

Jan 23, 2026

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal of Petitioner Amilcar Chocooj Caal ONLY by AMILCAR CHOCOOJ CAAL (Sandoval-Moshenberg, Simon) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

#9

Feb 16, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Stephanie Elizabeth Gibbs on behalf of JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. (Gibbs, Stephanie) (Entered: 02/16/2026)

#10

Feb 20, 2026

RESPONSE to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, filed by PAMELA J. BONDI, TODD LYONS, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID O'NEILL, LEONARD ODDO. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4) (Lew, David) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

Mar 12, 2026

Case Reassigned to Chief Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lanzillo. Magistrate Judge Keith A. Pesto no longer with the court. (dmh)

#11

Mar 20, 2026

REPLY to 10 Response to Habeas Petition,, filed by JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. (Gibbs, Stephanie) (Entered: 03/20/2026)

#12

Mar 20, 2026

MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Gibbs, Stephanie) (Entered: 03/20/2026)

#13

Mar 23, 2026

ORDER. Petitioner's 12 Motion for Leave to File Reply Brief with Excess Pages is GRANTED. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lanzillo on March 23, 2026. Text-only entry; no PDF document will be issued. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jbh) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

Mar 23, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages

#14

Apr 27, 2026

ORDER. Petitioner AMILCAR CHOCOOJ CAAL has filed a voluntary stipulation of dismissal of his claims in this matter, given his voluntary departure from the United States in January of 2026. See ECF No. 8. p. 1. His status as a petitioner herein has been terminated on the docket. See id. JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA remains as the sole active petitioner at this docket number. Accordingly, the Respondents' 5 Motion to Sever is denied as MOOT. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lanzillo on April 27, 2026. Text-only entry; no PDF document will be issued. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jbh) (Entered: 04/27/2026)

Apr 27, 2026

Order on Motion to Sever

#15

May 29, 2026

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed by JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. It is respectfully recommended that the pro se Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed by Petitioner Jose Miguel Hernandez Lara1 ("Petitioner") be granted to the extent that it requests that Petitioner receive an individualized bond hearing before a neutral immigration judge pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1226 and denied to the extent that it seeks other relief. Objections to R&R due by 6/12/2026. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lanzillo on 5/29/2026. (dlh) (Entered: 05/29/2026)

May 29, 2026

Judge Stephanie L. Haines added. Judge Stephanie L. Haines, presiding and Chief Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lanzillo, referral. (dlh)

#16

Jun 05, 2026

OBJECTIONS to 15 Report and Recommendation,, by PAMELA J. BONDI, TODD LYONS, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID O'NEILL, LEONARD ODDO. (Lew, David) (Entered: 06/05/2026)

#17

Jun 14, 2026

RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION to 16 Objections, filed by JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. (Gibbs, Stephanie) (Entered: 06/14/2026)

#18

Jun 18, 2026

MEMORANDUM ORDER - IT IS ORDERED that the petition for writ of habeas corpus (ECF No. 1 ) hereby is GRANTED. Respondents are directed to provide Petitioner with the statutory process required under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), which includes a bond hearing before a neutral immigration judge within seven (7) days of this Order; and, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the bond hearing shall include an individualized determination of whether Petitioner poses a danger to the community or a flight risk under the ordinary § 1226(a) framework. The immigration judge shall state the reasons for the custody determination orally on the record or in writing. If bond is denied, the immigration judge shall identify the principal facts and evidence relied upon in determining that Petitioner poses a danger to the community, a flight risk, or both. Nothing in this Order requires the immigration judge to reach any particular custody determination; and, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if Petitioner is not provided with a bond hearing by the timeframe specified, or if the immigration judge declines to conduct a bond hearing based on Matter of Yajure Hurtado, 29 I&N Dec. 216 (BIA 2025), or Matter of Q. Li, 29 I&N Dec. 66 (BIA 2025), or the statutory interpretation of Section 1225(b)(2) that this Court has rejected, the writ shall issue and Respondents shall immediately release Petitioner from custody; and, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents shall provide notice to the Court of the outcome of the individualized bond hearing within seven (7) days of the date of the immigration judge's decision; and IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Magistrate Judge Lanzillo's Report and Recommendation (ECF No. 15 ) is adopted as the Opinion of the Court; and, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents Objections (ECF No. 16 ) are OVERRULED; and, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of Court is directed to mark this matter closed, and as more fully stated in said Memorandum Order. Signed by Judge Stephanie L. Haines on 6/18/2026. (dlg) (Entered: 06/18/2026)

#19

Jun 18, 2026

JUDGMENT - It is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that final judgment is entered pursuant to Rule 58 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in favor of Petitioner and against Respondents. Signed by Judge Stephanie L. Haines on 6/18/2026. (dlg) (Entered: 06/18/2026)

#20

Jun 25, 2026

NOTICE of Bond Hearing Decision by PAMELA J. BONDI, TODD LYONS, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID O'NEILL, LEONARD ODDO re 18 Order on Report and Recommendations,,,,,,,, (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1) (Lew, David) (Entered: 06/25/2026)

#21

Aug 14, 2026

MOTION for attorney Ivan Yacub to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9802583) by JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. Motion(s) referred to Richard A. Lanzillo. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Proposed Order) (Yacub, Ivan) (Entered: 08/14/2026)

#22

Aug 17, 2026

MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. Motion(s) referred to Richard A. Lanzillo. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Sandoval-Moshenberg, Simon) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

#23

Aug 17, 2026

MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. Motion(s) referred to Richard A. Lanzillo. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Gibbs, Stephanie) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

#24

Aug 18, 2026

RESPONSE to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, filed by PAMELA J. BONDI, TODD LYONS, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID O'NEILL, LEONARD ODDO. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4) (Ivory, Michael) Documents removed from view; filed in error. Modified text on 8/18/2026. (tla) (Entered: 08/18/2026)

#25

Aug 24, 2026

ORDER. Attorney Ivan Yacub's Motion 21 to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of the Petitioner is GRANTED and is hereby recorded on the docket. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lanzillo on August 24, 2026. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jbh) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

#26

Aug 24, 2026

ORDER granting 22 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg's representation of Petitioner JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA terminated on the Court's docket. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lanzillo on August 24, 2026. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jbh) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

#27

Aug 24, 2026

ORDER granting 23 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Stephanie Elizabeth Gibbs' representation of Petitioner JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA is terminated on the Court's docket. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lanzillo on August 24, 2026. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jbh) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

Aug 24, 2026

Order on Motion to Withdraw as Attorney

Aug 24, 2026

Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice

#28

Aug 25, 2026

MOTION to Enforce JUNE 18, 2026 HABEAS ORDER by JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. Motion(s) referred to Richard A. Lanzillo. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Yacub, Ivan) (Entered: 08/25/2026)

#29

Aug 25, 2026

BRIEF in Support re 28 Motion to Enforce filed by JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit) (Yacub, Ivan) (Entered: 08/25/2026)

#30

Aug 31, 2026

AUDIO/VISUAL EXHIBIT(S) in support of 29 Brief in Support of Motion by JOSE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ LARA received. Physical media forwarded to chambers of Judge Haines. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (dmh) (Entered: 08/31/2026)