Western District of Pennsylvania • 3:26-cv-01238
Cruz Castro v. Acting Director, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Active
Case Information
Filed: June 29, 2026
Assigned to:
Cathy Bissoon
Referred to:
—
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause:
28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Pretrial Detainee)
Active
Last Activity:
July 02, 2026
Parties:
View All Parties →
Docket Entries
#1
May 28, 2026
PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 2241 against Acting Director, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Acting United States Attorney General, Field Office Director, Philadelphia Field Office, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secretary of Homeland Security, filed by Federico Aquino Hernandez, Luis Armando Moran Carrillo, Maria Corina Ruana Sandoval, Jose Cruz Castro, Elida Clementina Herrate. Filing Fee $5. Receipt # AWVNDC-4618254 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of J. Artieda, # 2 Affidavit of L. Burman, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet) (lnw) (Entered: 05/29/2026)
Main Document:
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
#2
May 29, 2026
NOTICE OF DEFICIENT PLEADING. (lnw) (Entered: 05/29/2026)
Main Document:
Notice
#3
Jun 02, 2026
AMENDED COMPLAINT Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus against Acting Director, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Acting United States Attorney General, Field Office Director, Philadelphia Field Office, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secretary of Homeland Security, filed by Jose Cruz Castro. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit)(Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/02/2026)
Main Document:
Amended Complaint
#4
Jun 02, 2026
MOTION for Order to Show Cause by Jose Cruz Castro. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/02/2026)
Main Document:
Motion for Order to Show Cause
#5
Jun 03, 2026
VERIFICATION OF ATTORNEY ADMISSION as to Jonathan Sidney. (lnw) (Entered: 06/03/2026)
Main Document:
Notice
#6
Jun 08, 2026
ORDER TO SERVE PETITION AND MOTION ON RESPONDENTS. Petitioner is ORDERED to serve his amended petition and pending show cause motion on Respondents, including the local United States Attorney's Office, in accord with Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i) by JUNE 11, 2026. Respondents are ORDERED to respond to the amended petition and pending motion by JUNE 16, 2026. Signed by Chief District Judge Thomas S Kleeh on 6/8/2026. (dk). (Entered: 06/08/2026)
Main Document:
Order
#9
Jun 11, 2026
MOTION to Waive Certain Requirements of L.R. Gen. P. 83.02 and for Pro Hac Vice Admission of Co-Counsel by Jose Cruz Castro. (Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/11/2026)
Main Document:
Motion for Miscellaneous Relief
#10
Jun 11, 2026
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Jose Cruz Castro Declaration of Service (Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/11/2026)
Main Document:
Certificate of Service
#11
Jun 12, 2026
NOTICE of Appearance by Jordan Vincent Palmer on behalf of Acting Director, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Acting United States Attorney General, Field Office Director, Philadelphia Field Office, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secretary of Homeland Security (Palmer, Jordan) (Entered: 06/12/2026)
Main Document:
ADR - Miscellaneous
#12
Jun 15, 2026
ORDER DIRECTING RESPONSE AND SCHEDULING HEARING re 3 and 4 filed by Jose Cruz Castro. Responses due by 6/22/2026, Motion Hearing set for 6/25/2026 02:00 PM in Clarksburg District Judge Courtroom, 2nd Floor before Chief District Judge Thomas S Kleeh. Signed by Chief District Judge Thomas S Kleeh on 6/15/2026. (lnw) (Entered: 06/15/2026)
Main Document:
Order
#13
Jun 16, 2026
NOTICE of Appearance by Ocklawaha Holt on behalf of Jose Cruz Castro (Holt, Ocklawaha) (Entered: 06/16/2026)
Main Document:
ADR - Miscellaneous
#14
Jun 16, 2026
***SEALED*** ORDER WAIVING PRO HAC VICE FEES (ECF NO. 9 ) Signed by Chief District Judge Thomas S Kleeh on 6/16/2026. (Copy Counsel) (dk) (Entered: 06/16/2026)
Main Document:
Terminate Motions
#15
Jun 17, 2026
MOTION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ad testificandum by Jose Cruz Castro. (Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/17/2026)
Main Document:
Writ of Habeas Corpus ad testificandum
#16
Jun 18, 2026
RESPONSE in Opposition re 15 MOTION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ad testificandum and alternative request for virtual attendance filed by Acting Director, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Acting United States Attorney General, Field Office Director, Philadelphia Field Office, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secretary of Homeland Security. (Palmer, Jordan) (Entered: 06/18/2026)
Main Document:
Brief in Opposition to Motion
#17
Jun 18, 2026
SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Acting United States Attorney General. (Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/18/2026)
Main Document:
Summons/Returned Returned Executed
#18
Jun 18, 2026
SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Field Office Director, Philadelphia Field Office, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/18/2026)
Main Document:
Summons/Returned Returned Executed
#19
Jun 18, 2026
REPLY to Response to Motion re 15 MOTION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ad testificandum filed by Jose Cruz Castro. (Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/18/2026)
Main Document:
Reply to Response to Motion
#20
Jun 22, 2026
MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by Acting Director, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Acting United States Attorney General, Field Office Director, Philadelphia Field Office, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secretary of Homeland Security. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Response to Petition and Motion, # 3 Foster Declaration, # 4 Foster Declaration Attachment A, # 5 Foster Declaration Attachment B, # 6 Foster Declaration Attachment C, # 7 Foster Declaration Attachment D, # 8 Foster Declaration Attachment E, # 9 Foster Declaration Attachment F)(Palmer, Jordan) (Entered: 06/22/2026)
Main Document:
Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages
#21
Jun 22, 2026
ORDER GRANTING 20 MOTION FOR LEAVE TO EXCEED THE PAGE LIMIT. The motion is GRANTED and Respondents may file a Response to Amended Petition and Motion in excess of twenty-five (25) pages. Upon entry of this Order, the Clerk shall docket Response to Amended Petition and Motion and attached exhibits as its own separate entry. Signed by Chief District Judge Thomas S Kleeh on 6/22/2026. (dk) (Entered: 06/22/2026)
Main Document:
Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages
#22
Jun 22, 2026
RESPONSE TO 3 AMENDED PETITION AND MOTION, by Acting Director, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Acting United States Attorney General, Field Office Director, Philadelphia Field Office, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secretary of Homeland Security. (Attachments: # 1 Foster Declaration, # 2 Foster Declaration (Attachment A), # 3 Foster Declaration (Attachment B), # 4 Foster Declaration (Attachment C), # 5 Foster Declaration (Attachment D), # 6 Foster Declaration (Attachment E), # 7 Foster Declaration (Attachment F)) (Filed pursuant to 21 Order) (dk) (Entered: 06/22/2026)
Main Document:
Answer to Amended Complaint
#23
Jun 23, 2026
SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Acting United States Attorney General. (Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/23/2026)
Main Document:
Summons/Returned Returned Executed
#24
Jun 23, 2026
SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Acting Director, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/23/2026)
Main Document:
Summons/Returned Returned Executed
#25
Jun 23, 2026
SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Secretary of Homeland Security. (Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/23/2026)
Main Document:
Summons/Returned Returned Executed
#26
Jun 23, 2026
ORDER DENYING PETITIONER'S MOTION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS AD TESTIFICANDUM [ECF No. 15 ] AND GRANTING RESPONDENTS' MOTION FOR PETITIONER TO APPEAR VIRTUALLY [ECF No. 16 ]. Signed by Chief District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh on 06/23/2026. (Copy to counsel and USMS) (snc) (Entered: 06/23/2026)
Main Document:
Order on Motion for Writ of Habeas Corpus ad testificandum
#27
Jun 24, 2026
ORDER REGARDING JUNE 25,2026 HEARING. Hearing set for 6/25/2026 1:30 PM in Clarksburg District Judge Courtroom, 2nd Floor before Chief District Judge Thomas S Kleeh. THIS IS A CHANGE IN TIME ONLY. Copy to Court Interpreter Ana Lahr by email. Signed by Chief District Judge Thomas S Kleeh on 6/24/2026. (mas) (Entered: 06/24/2026)
Main Document:
Order Setting Hearing on Motion
#28
Jun 24, 2026
NOTICE of Appearance by James Anthony Mazzone on behalf of Acting Director, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Acting United States Attorney General, Field Office Director, Philadelphia Field Office, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secretary of Homeland Security (Mazzone, James) (Entered: 06/24/2026)
Main Document:
ADR - Miscellaneous
#29
Jun 25, 2026
RESPONSE to Motion re 20 MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages filed by Jose Cruz Castro. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A (Sidney Declaration))(Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/25/2026)
Main Document:
Response to Motion
#30
Jun 25, 2026
MINUTE ENTRY: ***NOTICE*** THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE. IT IS FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES ONLY. Proceedings held before Chief District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh. Oral Argument Hearing held on 6/25/2026. (Court Reporter Rachel Kocher.) (snc) (Entered: 06/25/2026)
Main Document:
Oral Argument
#31
Jun 26, 2026
NOTICE by Jose Cruz Castro of Correction (Brown, Sarah) (Entered: 06/26/2026)
Main Document:
Notice
#32
Jun 26, 2026
ORDER TRANSFERRING VENUE TO THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA. The Court FINDS it does not have jurisdiction over this matter. The Court further DIRECTS the Clerk of this Court to TRANSFER this civil action to the Western District of Pennsylvania. Signed by Chief District Judge Thomas S Kleeh on 6/26/2026. (lnw) (Entered: 06/26/2026)
Main Document:
Order
Jun 26, 2026
Case transferred to District of Western District of Pennsylvania. Entire Case file electronically transmitted. (lnw)
Jun 26, 2026
Case Transferred Out to Another District
#33
Jun 29, 2026
Case transferred in from District of West Virginia Northern; Case Number 1:26-cv-00062. Original file certified copy of transfer order and docket sheet received. (Entered: 06/29/2026)
Main Document:
Case Transferred In - District Transfer
Jun 29, 2026
Chief Judge Cathy Bissoon added. (tla)
Jun 29, 2026
Add and Terminate Judges
#34
Jun 30, 2026
MOTION for attorney Jonathan Sidney to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9690619) by Jose Cruz Castro. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit) (Sidney, Jonathan) (Entered: 06/30/2026)
Main Document:
Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
#35
Jun 30, 2026
Proposed Order re 34 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Jose Cruz Castro. (Sidney, Jonathan) (Entered: 06/30/2026)
Main Document:
Proposed Order
#36
Jun 30, 2026
ORDER granting 34 Motion for Jonathan Sidney to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Chief Judge Cathy Bissoon on 6/30/2026. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 06/30/2026)
Jun 30, 2026
Clerk's Request for Corrective Action
Jun 30, 2026
CLERK'S REQUEST FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION re 34 MOTION for attorney Jonathan Sidney to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9690619). ERROR: Filer did not attach a Proposed Order as required by LCvR 7. CORRECTION: Filer to submit a proposed order using the Proposed Order event. Filer is to link the Proposed Order to the relevant motion in the event. (cel)
Jun 30, 2026
Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
Parties
Acting Director, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Party
Cruz Castro
Party