Southern District of Texas • 5:26-cv-01461

#1

Aug 17, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Filing fee $ 5) filed by Celso Mendez-Acosta. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (tat5) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

#2

Aug 17, 2026

Application to proceed in District Court without prepaying fees or costs by Celso Mendez-Acosta, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/8/2026. (tat5) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

#3

Aug 17, 2026

ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos. (Signed by Judge Diana Saldana) Parties notified. (tat5) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

#4

Aug 17, 2026

NOTICE to Pro Se Litigant of Case Opening, with Notice Regarding Consent to Jurisdiction of a Magistrate Judge. Party notified, filed. (tat5) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

#5

Aug 17, 2026

Clerk's Notice of Redaction Responsibilities and Privacy Protection. Parties notified, filed. (SDTX_CMECF_AutoDocket, ) (Entered: 08/17/2026)

Aug 17, 2026

Referral Judge Selected: Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos randomly selected to receive referrals. An order or notice of referral of case or motion to follow. (tat5)

Aug 17, 2026

Referral Judge Selected

#6

Aug 18, 2026

ORDER re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. Respondents are hereby ORDERED to show cause and submit a response to the Habeas Petition, (Dkt. 1), and serve it on the pro se Petitioner no later than August 24, 2026, which is between the three-to-twenty-day time period contemplated by 28 U.S.C. § 2243.1 The Court advises the Respondents that if no response is received, the Court may treat the petition as unopposed. Petitioner may submit a reply to Respondents Response on or before September 7, 2026. (Served electronically on USAO per MOU.) (Signed by Judge Diana Saldana) Parties notified. (jb5) (Entered: 08/18/2026)

#8

Aug 18, 2026

ORDER granting 2 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis.(Signed by Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos) Parties notified. (jb5) (Entered: 08/18/2026)

Aug 20, 2026

Notice of Appearance - USA (Govt Use Only)

Aug 20, 2026

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Ashley Anne Pruitt on behalf of Secretary DHS, Office of ICE, filed. (Pruitt, Ashley)

#11

Aug 24, 2026

RESPONSE to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, filed by Secretary DHS, Office of ICE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibits) (Pruitt, Ashley) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

#12

Aug 24, 2026

RESPONSE to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, filed by Secretary DHS, Office of ICE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibits) (Pruitt, Ashley) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

#13

Aug 24, 2026

ADVISORY by Secretary DHS, Office of ICE, filed. (Pruitt, Ashley) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

#14

Aug 25, 2026

ORDER. Petitioners Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, 1, is GRANTED. Respondents Response to the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus and Motion for Summary Judgment, 12, is DENIED. Respondents Response to the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus and Motion for Summary Judgment, 11, is DISMISSED. Respondents are ORDERED to RELEASE Petitioner from custody immediately, under reasonable conditions of release, and to submit a status report to the Court confirming Petitioners release within 24 hours of the date of this Order. (Signed by Judge Diana Saldana) Parties notified. (mtl5) (Entered: 08/25/2026)

#17

Aug 28, 2026

ADVISORY by Secretary DHS, Office of ICE, filed. (Pruitt, Ashley) (Entered: 08/28/2026)

#18

Aug 28, 2026

FINAL JUDGMENT. For the reasons set forth in its Order, the Court granted Petitioners Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, (Dkt. 1 ). Accordingly, the Court now enters final judgment. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to CLOSE this civil action and TERMINATE any pending motions or deadlines that may be associated with this case. (Signed by Judge Diana Saldana) Parties notified. (scg5) (Entered: 08/28/2026)

#19

Sep 01, 2026

Mail Returned Undeliverable as to Celso Mendez-Acosta re: 14 Order,,, filed. (rlt5) (Entered: 09/03/2026)