District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-08963

#1

Jul 19, 2026

First PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17679841.), filed by LUIS GERARDO GUZNAY CEPEDA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order LGGC PROPOSED ORDER, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet LGCC JS 44, # 3 Certification NITA KUNDANMAL VERIFICATION)(KUNDANMAL, NITA) (Entered: 07/19/2026)

#2

Jul 19, 2026

Notice of Pro Bono Appearance by NITA KUNDANMAL on behalf of LUIS GERARDO GUZNAY CEPEDA (KUNDANMAL, NITA) (Entered: 07/19/2026)

#3

Jul 19, 2026

First MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order w ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE by LUIS GERARDO GUZNAY CEPEDA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order LGGC PROPOSED ORDER OTSC)(KUNDANMAL, NITA) (Entered: 07/19/2026)

#4

Jul 19, 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 7/19/2026. (jml, ) (Entered: 07/19/2026)

#5

Jul 19, 2026

TEXT ORDER: TEXT ORDER: Petitioner Luis Gerardo Guzay Cepeda 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"). Along with his Petition, Petitioner also filed a motion for a temporary restraining order seeking an order enjoining his transfer or removal from outside the District of New Jersey and for his immediate release. D.E. 3 ("TRO Motion"). 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. 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 thereafter. 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). The TRO Motion, D.E. 3, is DISMISSED as MOOT because the Court has enjoined Petitioner's transfer from New Jersey and ordered an expedited resolution of this matter. So Ordered by Judge Evelyn Padin on 7/19/2026. (ps) (Entered: 07/19/2026)

#6

Jul 19, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by SHARI-ANN ALYCIA SASU on behalf of TODD BLANCHE, MARKWAYNE MULLIN, DAVID VENTURELLA, WARDEN (SASU, SHARI-ANN) (Entered: 07/19/2026)

Jul 19, 2026

Text Order AND ~Util - Terminate Motions

Jul 19, 2026

Judge Evelyn Padin added. (jml, )

Jul 19, 2026

Add and Terminate Judges

Jul 19, 2026

Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order

#7

Jul 20, 2026

RESPONDENTS' RESPONSE to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus ANSWER by TODD BLANCHE, MARKWAYNE MULLIN, DAVID VENTURELLA, WARDEN. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Ex. 1, # 2 Exhibit Ex. 2, # 3 Exhibit Ex. 3, # 4 Exhibit Ex. 4, # 5 Exhibit Ex. 5, # 6 Exhibit Ex. 6, # 7 Exhibit Ex. 7, # 8 Exhibit Ex. 8, # 9 Exhibit Ex. 9)(SASU, SHARI-ANN) (Entered: 07/20/2026)