District of New Jersey • 1:26-cv-11858

#1

Sep 11, 2026

Emergency PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17929195.), filed by A.J.P.S.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(MARTINEZ, MICHAEL) (Entered: 09/11/2026)

#2

Sep 11, 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 9/11/2026. (ijf) (Entered: 09/11/2026)

Sep 11, 2026

Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order

Sep 11, 2026

Add and Terminate Judges

Sep 11, 2026

Judge Christine P. O'Hearn added. (ijf)

#3

Sep 12, 2026

TEXT ORDER. The Court is in receipt of the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus in which Petitioner alleges that they are being unlawfully detained without a bond hearing and raises concerns regarding their medical condition and access to counsel. If Petitioner was initially detained pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2), their detention is unlawful under Buele Morocho v. Warden Phila. FDC, No. 26-1150, 2026 WL 2546223 (3d Cir. Aug. 28, 2026), and Respondents shall immediately release Petitioner from custody under the same conditions that existed before their current detention, return all property to them, and promptly file a letter on the docket so confirming. If not released, within three (3) calendar days of this Order, Respondents shall file a letter on the docket addressing whether Petitioner: (1) has a criminal history warranting mandatory detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(c); (2) is subject to a final order of removal; or (3) was initially detained pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) and afforded a bond hearing. Within that same period, Respondents shall ensure that Petitioner is afforded in-person access to counsel, address the medical concerns raised in the Petition, and advise the Court of the steps taken as to both. Respondents are further reminded that the Court will not accept a "post hoc justification[] for detention." Arias Gudino v. Lowe, 785 F. Supp. 3d 27, 46 n.8 (M.D. Pa. 2025); cf. Marshall v. Lansing, 839 F.2d 933, 943-44 (3d Cir. 1988) ("A court must review the agency's actual on-the-record reasoning process... not a post hoc rationalization, or agency counsel's in-court reasoning."). Accordingly, if Respondents contend that § 1226(a) supplied the authority for Petitioner's detention from the outset, they must provide competent proof establishing that fact. So Ordered by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on 9/12/2026. (jml, ) (Entered: 09/12/2026)

Sep 12, 2026

Text Order

#4

Sep 14, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by MATTHEW ANTHONY JOHNSON on behalf of A.J.P.S. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service)(JOHNSON, MATTHEW) (Entered: 09/14/2026)

#5

Sep 15, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by CHRISTOPHER JAMES STRATIGEAS on behalf of JASON BENZEL, TODD BLANCHE, MARKWAYNE MULLIN, DAVID VENTURELLA, ARTHUR J. WILSON, JR (STRATIGEAS, CHRISTOPHER) (Entered: 09/15/2026)

#6

Sep 15, 2026

MOTION to Proceed Under a Pseudonym and to Redact References to Petitioner's Identity in all Subsequent Submissions, Orders, and Opinions by A.J.P.S.. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum of Law in Support of Unopposed Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym and to Redact References to Petitioner's Identity in all Subsequent Submissions, Orders, and Opinions, # 2 Declaration of Michael Martinez in Support of Unopposed Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym and to Redact References to Petitioner's Identity in all Subsequent Submissions, Orders, and Opinions, # 3 Exhibit A - Emergency Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, # 4 Exhibit B - Email Thread, # 5 Text of Proposed Order Granting Petitioner's Unopposed Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonym and to Redact References to Petitioner's Identity in all Subsequent Submissions, Orders, and Opinions)(MARTINEZ, MICHAEL) (Entered: 09/15/2026)

#7

Sep 15, 2026

Letter from Respondents re: Petitioner's Detention Pursuant to 1226(a) re 3 Text Order,,,,,,,. (Attachments: # 1 A - Sep. 10, 2026 Form I-213 Record of Deportable_Inadmissible Alien, # 2 B - Sep. 10, 2026 Form I-862 Notice to Appear, # 3 C - Sep. 10, 2026 Form I-200 Warrant for Arrest of Alien, # 4 D - Sep. 10, 2026 Form I-286 Notice of Custody Determination, # 5 E - Sep.14, 2026 Notice of Custody Redetermination Hearing)(STRATIGEAS, CHRISTOPHER) (Entered: 09/15/2026)

#8

Sep 16, 2026

TEXT ORDER: The Court is in receipt of Respondents' answer and opposition to the Petition, in which Respondents represent that Petitioner is detained pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) and is scheduled for a bond hearing on September 17, 2026. (ECF No. 7 at 1-2). Following completion of the bond hearing, Respondents shall promptly file a letter on the docket confirming that the hearing occurred and advising the Court of its outcome. In the same submission, Respondents shall also confirm whether they oppose Petitioner's Motion to Proceed Under a Pseudonym. (See ECF No. 6). So Ordered by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on 9/16/2026. (hem, ) (Entered: 09/16/2026)

#9

Sep 16, 2026

MOTION for Leave to File Reply to Respondents' September 15, 2026 Letter by A.J.P.S.. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum of Law in Support of Petitioner's Motion for Leave to Reply to Respondents' September 15, 2026 Letter, # 2 Proposed Order granting Petitioner's Motion for Leave to Reply to Respondents' September 15, 2026 Letter)(MARTINEZ, MICHAEL) (Entered: 09/16/2026)

Sep 16, 2026

Text Order

#10

Sep 17, 2026

TEXT ORDER: The Court is in receipt of Petitioner's Motion for Leave to Reply to Respondents' September 15, 2026 Letter. (ECF No. 9). The Motion is GRANTED. Petitioner may file a reply to Respondents' submission by September 21, 2026. Respondents shall otherwise comply with the Court's September 16, 2026 Text Order (ECF No. 8). So Ordered by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on 9/17/2026. (hem, ) (Entered: 09/17/2026)

#11

Sep 17, 2026

Letter from Respondents re: Petitioner's Bond Hearing Before an Immigration Judge re 8 Text Order,,. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Sep. 17, 2026 Order of the Immigration Judge re Custody Redetermination)(STRATIGEAS, CHRISTOPHER) (Entered: 09/17/2026)

#12

Sep 17, 2026

Letter from Petitioner's Counsel re 11 Letter. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, Declaration of Matthew A. Johnson, # 2 Certificate of Service)(JOHNSON, MATTHEW) (Entered: 09/17/2026)

Sep 17, 2026

Set Deadlines as to 9 MOTION for Leave to File Reply to Respondents' September 15, 2026 Letter. Motion set for 10/19/2026 before Judge Christine P. O'Hearn. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (grm)

Sep 17, 2026

Set/Reset Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

Sep 17, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to File

#13

Sep 18, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Heather L. Richardson and Hayato Watanabe by A.J.P.S.. (Attachments: # 1 Certification of Michael Martinez in Support of Motion for Admission of Heather L. Richardson and Hayato Watanabe as Counsel Pro Hac Vice, # 2 Certification of Heather L. Richardson in Support of Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice, # 3 Certification of Hayato Watanabe in Support of Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice, # 4 Text of Proposed Order Granting Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice)(MARTINEZ, MICHAEL) (Entered: 09/18/2026)

#14

Sep 20, 2026

ORDER GRANTING PETITIONER'S UNOPPOSED MOTION TO PROCEED UNDER PSEUDONYM AND TO REDACT REFERENCES TO PETITIONER'S IDENTITY IN ALL SUBSEQUENT SUBMISSIONS, ORDERS AND OPINIONS. Signed by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on 9/20/2026. (dnw) (Entered: 09/21/2026)

#15

Sep 21, 2026

MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by A.J.P.S.. (MARTINEZ, MICHAEL) (Entered: 09/21/2026)

#16

Sep 21, 2026

BRIEF (Reply) in Support of Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, Declaration of A.J.P.S., # 2 Exhibit B, Form I-94, # 3 Exhibit C, Asylum Receipt Notice (July 20, 2021), # 4 Exhibit D, USCIS Change-of-Address Confirmation (May 3, 2022), # 5 Exhibit E, USCIS Approval Notice (Nov. 28, 2022), # 6 Exhibit F, USCIS Approval Notice (Sept. 9, 2025), # 7 Exhibit G, Certificate of Disposition, # 8 Exhibit H, Notice to Appear, # 9 Exhibit I, Map of Arrest Location, # 10 Exhibit J, Sample Forms I-200, # 11 Certificate of Service)(JOHNSON, MATTHEW) (Entered: 09/21/2026)

#18

Sep 21, 2026

ORDER granting 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice as to HEATHER L. RICHARDSON and HAYATO WATANABE. Signed by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on 9/21/2026. (adc, ) (Entered: 09/22/2026)

Sep 21, 2026

Set Deadlines as to 13 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Heather L. Richardson and Hayato Watanabe. Motion set for 10/19/2026 before Judge Christine P. O'Hearn. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (sms2)

Sep 21, 2026

Set/Reset Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

#17

Sep 22, 2026

TEXT ORDER: Petitioner's Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages, ECF No. 15, is GRANTED. So Ordered by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on 9/22/2026. (hem, ) (Entered: 09/22/2026)

#19

Sep 22, 2026

TEXT ORDER: The Court is in receipt of Petitioner's reply. (ECF No. 16). Respondents shall submit a response to Petitioner's reply on or before Monday, September 28, 2026. So Ordered by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on 9/22/2026. (hem, ) (Entered: 09/22/2026)

Sep 22, 2026

Set/Reset Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

Sep 22, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages

Sep 22, 2026

Set Deadlines as to 15 MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages . Motion set for 10/19/2026 before Judge Christine P. O'Hearn. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (dnw)

Sep 22, 2026

Text Order

#20

Sep 28, 2026

Letter from Respondents re: Request for Extension of Time re 19 Text Order. (STRATIGEAS, CHRISTOPHER) (Entered: 09/28/2026)

#21

Sep 29, 2026

LETTER ORDER granting request for an extension of time until 9/30/2026 to file a response. Signed by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on 9/29/2026. (jal, ) (Entered: 09/29/2026)

#22

Sep 30, 2026

Letter from Respondents re 19 Text Order. (STRATIGEAS, CHRISTOPHER) (Entered: 09/30/2026)

#23

Oct 01, 2026

MOTION for Leave to File Reply to Respondents' Brief Submitted on September 30, 2026 by A.J.P.S.. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service)(JOHNSON, MATTHEW) (Entered: 10/01/2026)

#24

Oct 01, 2026

TEXT ORDER: The Court is in receipt of Petitioner's Motion for Leave to Submit Additional Argument in Response to Respondents' September 30, 2026 filing. (ECF No. 23). For good cause shown, Petitioner's Motion is GRANTED. Petitioner may file, on or before October 2, 2026, a letter brief of no more than eight (8) pages, limited to responding to Respondents' September 30, 2026 filing (ECF No. 22). So Ordered by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on 10/1/2026. (hem, ) (Entered: 10/01/2026)

Oct 01, 2026

Set Deadlines as to 23 MOTION for Leave to File Reply to Respondents' Brief Submitted on September 30, 2026. Motion set for 11/2/2026 before Judge Christine P. O'Hearn. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (dnw)

Oct 01, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to File

Oct 01, 2026

Set/Reset Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

#25

Oct 02, 2026

BRIEF in Reply to Respondents' Brief of Sept. 30, 2026 (ECF No. 22) (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service)(JOHNSON, MATTHEW) (Entered: 10/02/2026)

#26

Oct 04, 2026

Letter from Petitioner's Counsel: Update Regarding Petitioner's Administrative Proceedings. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, Updated Declaration of Matthew A. Johnson, # 2 Exhibit B, Notice of Hearing, # 3 Certificate of Service)(JOHNSON, MATTHEW) (Entered: 10/04/2026)

#27

Oct 06, 2026

TEXT ORDER: The Court will hold oral argument on October 7, 2026 at 1:30pm via Microsoft Teams. A Teams link will be provided to counsel's email addresses as they appear on the docket. So Ordered by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on October 6, 2026. (bf, ) (Entered: 10/06/2026)

Oct 06, 2026

Order

#28

Oct 07, 2026

ORDER that the Petition is GRANTED. Respondents shall RELEASE Petitioner IMMEDIATELY. Signed by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on 10/7/2026. (kht) (Entered: 10/07/2026)

#29

Oct 07, 2026

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Christine P. O'Hearn: Motion Hearing held on 10/7/2026. Order to be entered. (Court Reporter, Meta Goddard (856-576-7063)) (sms2) (Entered: 10/07/2026)

#30

Oct 08, 2026

Letter from Respondents re: Petitioner's Release re 28 Order. (STRATIGEAS, CHRISTOPHER) (Entered: 10/08/2026)

Oct 15, 2026

Pro Hac Vice Fee Received

#31

Oct 19, 2026

OPINION. Signed by Judge Christine P. O'Hearn on 10/19/2026. (lag, )

Oct 21, 2026

Text Order

Oct 21, 2026

Terminate Civil Case