Eastern District of Virginia • 1:26-cv-02771

#1

Aug 25, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number AVAEDC-11276738.), filed by Victor Armando Merida Figueroa. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1-1 - Online Detainee Locator, # 2 Exhibit 1-2 - Affidavit of Former Immigration Judge Burman, # 3 Exhibit 1-3 - Declaration of Jorge Artieda, # 4 Exhibit 1-4 - The New York Times - How Trump Purged Immigration Judges to Speed Up Deportations, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet)(Reyes, James) (Entered: 08/25/2026)

Aug 25, 2026

Initial Case Assignment to District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema and US Magistrate Judge William B. Porter. (dvanm)

#2

Aug 26, 2026

ORDERED that respondents be and are ENJOINED from removing or transferring petitioner from this district for any reason without this Court's permission. ORDERED that on or before 5:00 PM on September 1, 2026, respondents file either a Notice indicating that the factual and legal issues presented in this Petition do not differ in any material fashion from those presented in Ceba Cinta v. Noem, et al., 1:25-cv-1818 (E.D. Va.), or an Opposition to the Petition discussing the material differences between Ceba Cinta and this Petition. ORDERED that if respondents file a Notice that there are no material differences between this Petition and Ceba Cinta, each of the substantive filings in that habeas proceeding will be incorporated into this habeas proceeding, and this Court will issue a ruling without further filings from the parties. ORDERED that if respondents file an Opposition to the Petition, petitioner shall file any reply in further support of the Petition on or before 5:00 PM on September 2, 2026. Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 8/26/2026. (kgall) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

#3

Aug 26, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth Weisel on behalf of Todd Blanche, Robert Guadian, Markwayne Mullin (Weisel, Elizabeth) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

#4

Aug 26, 2026

NOTICE by Todd Blanche, Robert Guadian, Markwayne Mullin (Weisel, Elizabeth) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

#5

Aug 26, 2026

ORDERED that Merida Figueroa's Petition, [Dkt. No. 1], is GRANTED, and it is hereby ORDERED that Merida Figueroa be promptly released from custody, with all his personal property, in order to appear at a bond hearing before an Immigration Judge; and it is further ORDERED that Merida Figueroa live at a fixed address which he must provide to the federal respondents; and it is further ORDERED that respondents provide Merida Figueroa with an individualized bond hearing before an Immigration Judge pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) within 14 days of the date of this Order; and it is further ORDERED that respondents be and are ENJOINED from denying bond to Merida Figueroa on the basis that he is detained pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2); and it is further ORDERED that, if Merida Figueroa is granted bond, respondents be and are ENJOINED from invoking the automatic stay provision at 8 C.F.R. § 1003.19(i)(2) (see Order for further details). Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 8/26/2026. (nneb) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

#6

Aug 26, 2026

CLERK'S JUDGMENT is hereby entered in accordance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 58, JUDGMENT is hereby entered in favor of the Petitioner Victor Armando Merida Figueroa and against the Respondents Todd Blanche, Markwayne Mullin, and Robert Guadian. Entered by Clerk on 8/26/2026. (nneb) (Entered: 08/26/2026)