District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-09874

#1

Aug 05, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17760271.), filed by EDELMIRA MERINO JIMENEZ. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Notice of Appearance, # 3 Brief, # 4 Habeas Order, # 5 Brief in Support of Order to Show Cause, # 6 Order to Show Cause, # 7 Civil Cover Sheet, # 8 Certificate of Service)(GARCIA, REANA) (Entered: 08/05/2026)

#2

Aug 05, 2026

ORDER. Respondents are hereby enjoined from transferring Petitioner from New Jersey pending further Order of the Court. Signed by Judge Katharine S. Hayden on 8/5/2026. (ijf) (Entered: 08/05/2026)

Aug 05, 2026

Judge Katharine S. Hayden added. (ijf)

Aug 05, 2026

Add and Terminate Judges

#3

Aug 10, 2026

Notice of Appearance

#4

Aug 10, 2026

Letter

#5

Aug 10, 2026

Letter

#6

Aug 11, 2026

TEXT ORDER: Petitioner Edelmira Merino Jimenez is a citizen of Mexico who alleges that she entered the United States in 2003 without inspection or parole. (ECF No. 1, Petition at 2.) Petitioner has significant ties to the United States, including two U.S. citizen children. (Id. at 2-3.) She contends that she is unlawfully detained by immigration authorities in Elizabeth Detention Center under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2) and is entitled to release. (Id. at 2, 6-8.) 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. Therefore, on August 5, 2026, the Court ordered Respondents to release Petitioner from unlawful detention unless she has a criminal history or is subject to a final order of removal. (ECF No. 2, Order.) Respondents submitted an answer to the Petition, stating that Petitioner has a history of criminal charges, but those charges were all dismissed. (ECF No. 4, Answer at 1.) Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Respondents shall release Petitioner within 24 hours and confirm her release in writing on the docket within three (3) days. So Ordered by Judge Katharine S. Hayden on 8/11/26. (cm, ) (Entered: 08/11/2026)

Aug 11, 2026

Order

#7

Aug 12, 2026

Letter

#8

Aug 12, 2026

TEXT ORDER: Respondents' letter confirms that Edelmira Merino Jimenez was released from detention on August 11, 2026, at 7:35 p.m., as directed in this Court's Order issued on the same day. (ECF Nos. 6, 7.) Therefore, this matter shall be dismissed WITHOUT PREJUDICE and marked CLOSED. So Ordered by Judge Katharine S. Hayden on 8/12/26. (cm, ) (Entered: 08/12/2026)

Aug 12, 2026

Order

Aug 13, 2026

Terminate Civil Case