District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-07185

MORALES BONILLA v. SOTO

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Case Information

Filed: June 16, 2026
Assigned to: Katharine Sweeney Hayden
Referred to:
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (federa
Active
Last Activity: June 27, 2026
Parties: View All Parties →

Docket Entries

#1
Jun 16, 2026
First PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Unlawfully Detained Noncitizen ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17548513.), filed by GERSON H MORALES BONILLA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet)(SIMBRON, NOEMI) (Entered: 06/16/2026)
Main Document: Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
#2
Jun 16, 2026
TEXT ORDER. Respondents are hereby enjoined from transferring Petitioner from New Jersey pending further Order of the Court. So Ordered by Chief Judge Renee Marie Bumb on 6/16/2026. (jml, ) (Entered: 06/16/2026)
Jun 16, 2026
Judge Katharine S. Hayden added. (jml, )
Jun 16, 2026
Add and Terminate Judges
Jun 16, 2026
Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order
#3
Jun 26, 2026
Letter
Main Document: Letter
#4
Jun 26, 2026
TEXT ORDER: Petitioner GERSON H MORALES BONILLA is a citizen of El Salvador and has been continuously present in the United States since July 24, 2023. (ECF No. 1, Petition at 27-29.) He has no criminal history and was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") on June 13, 2026 (id.), and contends that he is unlawfully detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b) and is entitled to release or a bond hearing under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a). In Rivera Zumba v. Bondi, Civ. No. 25-cv-14626, 2025 WL 2753496, at *7-9 (D.N.J. Sept. 26, 2025), this Court held that the plain language of 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A) does not govern the detention of a noncitizen who enters the United States without inspection and is later arrested within the interior of the United States; see also Guzman v. Bondi, 26-1250 (KSH), 2026 WL 1534682, at *5 (D.N.J., 2026) (Jun. 1, 2026) (rejecting respondents' argument that noncitizen who was paroled at the border under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)(A) reverts to his prior detention status following a period of parole). Based on the allegations in the Petition and this Court's prior decisions, the Court GRANTS the Petition. The Court will not convert Petitioner's detention to a potentially lawful alternate form under a different statute with different procedural requirements and rules. See Guzman, 2026 WL 1534682, at *5. It is ORDERED that Respondents shall release Petitioner within 24 hours and confirm his release in writing on the docket within three (3) days. ALTERNATIVELY, if Respondents contend that Petitioner's case is factually or legally distinguishable, they shall file an expedited answer within five (5) days, and Petitioner may file a reply within three (3) days of the filing of the expedited answer. The Court's Text Order (ECF No. 2) that temporarily enjoins Respondents from transferring Petitioner from this District REMAINS IN EFFECT until Petitioner is released or the proceedings conclude. So Ordered by Judge Katharine S. Hayden on 6/26/26. (cm, ) (Entered: 06/26/2026)
Jun 26, 2026
Order
#5
Jun 27, 2026
Notice of Appearance
Main Document: Notice of Appearance
#6
Jun 27, 2026
Letter
Main Document: Letter