District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-08649

#1

Jul 13, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17655784.), filed by FELIX CORTEZ SORIANO.(BELLO, STEPHANIE) (Entered: 07/13/2026)

#2

Jul 13, 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 7/13/2026. (jml, ) (Entered: 07/13/2026)

Jul 13, 2026

CLERK'S QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE - The case you electronically filed has been processed, however, the following deficiencies were found: In the future, please use 28:2241 Petitionfor Writ of Habeas Corpus (federal) as the cause of action; the party roles should be Petitioner v. Respondent; please make sure to include the Respondent descriptions in the party text field; addresses were listed on docket on should not be. The Clerk's Office has made the appropriate changes. Please refer to the Attorney Case Opening Guide for processing electronically filed cases. (jml, )

Jul 13, 2026

QC - Attorney Case Opening

Jul 13, 2026

Judge Evelyn Padin added. (jml, )

Jul 13, 2026

Add and Terminate Judges

Jul 13, 2026

Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order

#3

Jul 14, 2026

TEXT ORDER: Petitioner Felix Cortez Soriano filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 alleging he is unlawfully detained by immigration authorities under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b), D.E. 1 ("Petition"). It is ORDERED that, if Respondents contest Petitioner's factual allegations and/or contend that Petitioner has a criminal record and/or assert this case is distinguishable from the cases in this district previously addressing § 1225, they shall file an expedited answer to the Petition within 24 hours of this Order, and Petitioner may file a reply within 48 hours of the time of filing of Respondents' expedited answer. If Respondents do not file expedited answer, under this Court's decision in Lomeu v. Soto, No. 25-16589, 2025 WL 2981296, at *9 (D.N.J. Oct. 23, 2025), and other recent decisions in this District interpreting § 1225, including Rivera Zumba v. Bondi, No. 25-14626, 2025 WL 2753496(D.N.J. Sept. 26, 2025) (interpreting § 1225(b)(2)), Rivas Rodriguez v. Rokosky, No. 25-17419, 2025 WL 3485628 (D.N.J. Dec. 3, 2025) (interpreting § 1225(b)(1)), accepting Petitioner's allegations as true, the Court holds Petitioner's mandatory detention under Section 1225(b) is unlawful and further violates his liberty interest protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. If Respondents do not file an expedited answer in opposition, they shall instead release Petitioner within 24 hours of this order and file a written notice of Petitioner's release within three days. If Respondents subsequently detain Petitioner under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), they shall comply with the regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 236.1(c)(8) and (d). So Ordered by Judge Evelyn Padin on 7/14/2026. (bt) (Entered: 07/14/2026)

#4

Jul 14, 2026

Notice of Appearance

#5

Jul 14, 2026

Letter

Jul 14, 2026

Text Order

#6

Jul 15, 2026

TEXT ORDER: This Court granted Petitioner Felix Cortez Soriano's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 and ordered Respondents to release Petitioner. D.E. 3 . The Court has reviewed Respondents' status report, which establishes that Petitioner was released. D.E. 5 . Accordingly, the Clerk of Court shall CLOSE this matter. So Ordered by Judge Evelyn Padin on 7/15/2026. (wh) (Entered: 07/15/2026)

Jul 15, 2026

Order of Dismissal AND Text Order