District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-07861

#1

Jun 28, 2026

First PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17591051.), filed by ANTIONIO CASTELLANOS RODRIGUEZ. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(SANTUCCI, STEPHEN) (Main Document 1 replaced on 6/28/2026) (jml, ). (Attachment 1 replaced on 6/28/2026) (jml, ). (Entered: 06/28/2026)

#2

Jun 28, 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 6/28/2026. (jml, ) (Entered: 06/28/2026)

Jun 28, 2026

Judge Madeline Cox Arleo added. (jml, )

Jun 28, 2026

Add and Terminate Judges

Jun 28, 2026

Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order

Jun 28, 2026

QC - Attorney Case Opening

Jun 28, 2026

QC - Fillable PDF

Jun 28, 2026

CLERK'S QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE - The Petition 1 and Civil Cover Sheet [1-1] filed by STEPHEN SANTUCCI on 6/28/2026 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. (jml, )

Jun 28, 2026

CLERK'S QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE - The case you electronically filed has been processed, however, the following deficiencies were found: The party roles were listed as Plaintiff v. Defendant but should be Petitioner v. Respondent; address information was listed but should not be; all parties from petition were not added; and party descriptions should be listed in the PARTY TEXT field. The Clerk's Office has made the appropriate changes. Please refer to the Attorney Case Opening Guide for processing electronically filed cases. (jml, )

#3

Jun 30, 2026

Exhibit (to Document)

#4

Jun 30, 2026

Amended Document (NOT Motion/Complaint)

Jun 30, 2026

QC - Document Not Signed by Attorney

#5

Jul 07, 2026

Amended Document (NOT Motion/Complaint)

#6

Jul 10, 2026

First MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by ANTIONIO CASTELLANOS RODRIGUEZ. (SANTUCCI, STEPHEN) (Entered: 07/10/2026)

#7

Jul 10, 2026

TEXT ORDER - Petitioner ANTIONIO CASTELLANOS RODRIGUEZ is a citizen of Mexico who has a pending appeal of his removal order before the Board of Immigration Appeals; he allegedly has no criminal history and deep family ties in the United States, including two United States citizen children. (ECF No. 5, Second Amended Petition at 20, 25-32.) He was recently detained without a warrant by ICE and has been denied the opportunity for bond. (Id.) Based on these facts and the Court's decisions in Vasquez Lucero v. Soto, No. 25-16737-MCA, 2025 WL 3240895, at *1-2 (D.N.J. Nov. 20, 2025) (holding that a noncitizen who entered without inspection and was later arrested in the interior of the United States could not be detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)) and Murillo-Castillo v. Florentino, No. 25-16728, 2026 WL 1383062, at *5 (D.N.J. May 18, 2026) (rejecting the argument that 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)(A) necessarily returns a noncitizen arrested in the interior of the United States to the detention status he held prior to parole), the 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), and this Court will not correct Respondents' unlawful detention. See Murillo-Castillo, 2026 WL 1383062, at *6. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the Petition (ECF No. 1) is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Respondents shall release Petitioner within 24 hours. Alternatively, if Respondents contend that Petitioner's case is factually or legally distinguishable or that Petitioner has a significant criminal history that he has not disclosed, they shall file an expedited answer within three (3) business days. If Respondents do not file an expedited answer, they shall file a status report within three (3) business days confirming Petitioner's release and requesting to close this case. The temporary stay of transfer entered at ECF No. 2 shall remain in effect while this matter is pending and the Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order at ECF No. 6 shall be TERMINATED considering the relief provided. So Ordered by Judge Madeline Cox Arleo on 7/10/2026. (aa, ) (Entered: 07/10/2026)

Jul 10, 2026

Order