Central District of California • 5:25-cv-03379

#1

Dec 08, 2025

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person In Federal Custody (28:2241) Case assigned to Judge Hernan D. Vera and referred to Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin. (Filing fee $ 5. FEE DUE), filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (mza) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

#2

Dec 22, 2025

Notice Re: Discrepancies in Filing of Habeas Corpus Petition (CV-111). Upon submission of your petition for writ of habeas corpus, it was noted that you did not pay the appropriate filing fee. If you are unable to pay the entire filing fee at this time, you must sign and complete the Request to Proceed Without Prepayment of Filing Fees with Declaration in Support form (CV-60P) attached. You may return your fee waiver and/or payment to any of the Courthouses listed on this notice. If you do not respond within THIRTY DAYS from the date below, your action may be dismissed. Re: Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241) 1 (mza) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

#3

Dec 22, 2025

NOTICE OF REFERENCE to a U.S. Magistrate Judge. This case has been assigned to the calendar of the Honorable District Judge Hernan D. Vera and referred to Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin, who is authorized to consider preliminary matters and conduct all further hearings as may be appropriate or necessary. Pursuant to Local Rule 83-2.4, the Court must be notified within five (5) days of any address change. See notice for additional details. (mza) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

#4

Dec 29, 2025

ORDER REQUIRING RESPONSE TO PETITION (FEDERAL CUSTODY) by Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin. Notice: The court has issued a ruling on preliminary review. Pursuant to the Agreement on Acceptance of Service between the Clerk of Court and the United States Attorneys Office, this Notice constitutes service under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4. [SEE ORDER FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND DEADLINES.] (Attachments: # 1 CV-11B Form, # 2 Petition) (san) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

#5

Jan 12, 2026

ORDER REFERRING CASE TO THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER TO CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL by Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin. [SEE ORDER FOR DETAILS AND DEADLINES.] (san) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

#6

Jan 16, 2026

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE OR REASSIGNMENT of Deputy Public Defender Margaret A. Farrand on behalf of Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. Filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Attorney Margaret A. Farrand added to party Lazaro Romero Leon(pty:pet))(Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 01/16/2026)

#7

Jan 28, 2026

FINANCIAL ENTRY: Received $5.00 from Lazaro Romero Leon. Re: Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241) 1 . Receipt number 40088. (fa) (Entered: 01/28/2026)

Jan 28, 2026

Financial Entry

#8

Jan 30, 2026

NOTICE of Change of address Changing attorneys address to Florence Detention Center 3250 North Pinal Parkway Florence, AZ 85132. Filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (sh) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

#9

Feb 02, 2026

Mail Returned addressed to Lazaro Romero Leon re Minutes of In Chambers Order/Directive - no proceeding held 5 (sh) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

#10

Feb 09, 2026

APPLICATION for Temporary Restraining Order as to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Granting Temporary Restraining Order and Order to Show Cause Why Preliminary Injunction Should not Issue) (Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 02/09/2026)

#11

Feb 12, 2026

(Attorney Whitney Wakefield added to party Merick Garland(pty:res), Attorney Whitney Wakefield added to party A. Mayorkas(pty:res), Attorney Whitney Wakefield added to party T. Miller(pty:res))(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 02/12/2026)

#12

Feb 12, 2026

RESPONSE filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Millerto Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241) 1, APPLICATION for Temporary Restraining Order as to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus 10 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 02/12/2026)

#13

Feb 12, 2026

REPLY in support of APPLICATION for Temporary Restraining Order as to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus 10 and in support of Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 02/12/2026)

#14

Feb 13, 2026

Amended PETITION for Writ of of Habeas Corpus filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#15

Feb 13, 2026

MINUTES (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER ENJOINING TRANSFER OUT OF THE DISTRICT (INCLUDING DEPORTATION) AND ORDERING ADDITIONAL BRIEFING 10 by Judge Hernan D. Vera. The Court applies the Winter v. Nat. Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 5, 20 (2008) factors and finds that Petitioner has shown both a probability of success on the merits and numerous forms of irreparable harm, and on that basis concludes that emergency relief is needed to maintain the status quo. The Court therefore orders Respondents to file an additional response to the Application by February 18, 2026. Respondents are ordered to address why this Application should not be governed by the analysis in Delkash and other similar orders issued by other courts in similar circumstances. In particular, Respondents shall address whether they followed the required procedures when revoking Petitioners release and whether they gave him adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard before determining he could be removed to a third country. In the interim, the Application is granted in part. Respondents are hereby enjoined from transferring, relocating, or removing Petitioner outside of the Central District of California (including, but not limited to, transferring Petitioner to an ICE facility outside of the Central District or removing Petitioner from the United States) pending resolution of the Application. To be extremely clear, this Order means that Respondents are enjoined from removing Petitioner from the United States to Mexico on Monday February 16, 2026, or at any time thereafter or to any other country, until this Court has fully resolved the Application. Respondents are ordered to disseminate this Order to the immigration agents in charge of processing Petitioner, and to place a copy of this Order in the Petitioner's A-File. [See order for details] (lom) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#16

Feb 13, 2026

(IN CHAMBERS) TEXT-ONLY ENTRY by Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin: On December 29, 2025, the Court directed Respondents to file a response to the Petition and set a briefing schedule. (Dkt. 4 .) However, since that time, Petitioner filed an Application for a Temporary Restraining Order, and Amended Petition, and the District Judge issued a briefing schedule on the application. (Dkts. 10, 14, 15 .) Therefore, to avoid confusion, the Court STAYS the briefing schedule in Docket 4 . The parties should follow the District Judges briefing schedule in Docket 15 . THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (cgm) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 02/13/2026)

Feb 13, 2026

Generic Text Only Entry

#17

Feb 18, 2026

SUPPLEMENT to Response, 12 filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

#18

Feb 19, 2026

RESPONSE TO RESPONDENTS' SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEF re APPLICATION for Temporary Restraining Order as to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus 10 filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

#19

Feb 23, 2026

MINUTE ORDER IN CHAMBERS by Judge Hernan D. Vera. The Court made it "extremely clear" that this Order 15 means that Respondents are enjoined from removing Petitioner from the United States to Mexico on Monday February 16, 2026, or at any time thereafter or to any other country, until this Court has fully resolved the Application." Despite this extremely clear language, Petitioner was deported to a third country, Mexico, on February 16, 2026 because of an "apparent communication error" according to Respondents. [Dkt. 17] at 1. Respondents claim to be "making concerted efforts" to bring Petitioner back to the United States "soon." Id. Respondents are ordered to show cause in writing, by no later than Wednesday, February 25, 2026, why it ignored the Order of the Court and why sanctions should not be imposed. It is not enough to identify a "communication error" - the Court requires a declaration under oath explaining in detail what steps were taken to effectuate the Court's February 13 Order, and which DHS officials were involved in deporting the petitioner unlawfully. Respondents are further ordered to return Petitioner to the United States immediately. Specifically, Respondents shall return Petitioner to the Central District of California. Respondents shall file a status update every week until Petitioner is returned. (lom) (Entered: 02/23/2026)

#20

Feb 25, 2026

RESPONSE filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Millerto Minutes of In Chambers Order/Directive - no proceeding held,,,,, 19 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 02/25/2026)

#21

Feb 26, 2026

EX PARTE APPLICATION for Order for Directing Respondents to State What Steps are Being Taken to Return Mr. Leon to the United States filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Directing Respondents to State What Steps are Being Taken to Return Mr. Leon to the United States) (Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

#22

Mar 03, 2026

TEXT ONLY ENTRY (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER by Judge Hernan D. Vera: The Court has reviewed Petitioner's Ex Parte Application 21 . As previously ordered, see Minute Order 19, Respondents shall file a status update regarding their specific efforts to return Petitioner to the United States every week until he is returned. The Court therefore grants the Application and orders Respondents to file a status update by March 4, 2026 and every Wednesday thereafter until Petitioner is returned. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED TO THIS TEXT ENTRY. (wm) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

Mar 03, 2026

For Order

#23

Mar 04, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 03/04/2026)

#24

Mar 11, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

#25

Mar 12, 2026

SUPPLEMENT to Status Report 24 filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

#26

Mar 18, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 03/18/2026)

#27

Mar 25, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

#28

Apr 01, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 04/01/2026)

#29

Apr 08, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 04/08/2026)

#30

Apr 14, 2026

EX PARTE APPLICATION for Order for for a Status Conference and Order to Show Cause why Petitioner Cannot be Immediately Returned to the United States filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Farrand, Margaret) Modified on 4/17/2026 (kr). (Entered: 04/14/2026)

#31

Apr 15, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 04/15/2026)

#32

Apr 16, 2026

SUPPLEMENT to EX PARTE APPLICATION for Order for for a Status Conference and Order to Show Cause why Petitioner Cannot be Immediately Returned to the United States 30 filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

#33

Apr 17, 2026

Good cause being shown, the Court grants Petitioners Ex Parte Application 30 and sets a status conference for April 23, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. Counsel for the parties to this action and at least one representative of each of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Mexican Consulate shall appear in person at the status conference. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (kr) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 04/17/2026)

Apr 17, 2026

Text Only Scheduling Notice

#34

Apr 20, 2026

**STRICKEN PER DOCKET 35 ** TEXT ONLY ENTRY (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER by Judge Hernan D. Vera: Good cause being shown, the Court grants Petitioner's Ex Parte Application 30 and sets a status conference for April 23, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. Counsel for the parties to this action and at least one representative of each of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Mexican Consulate shall appear in person at the status conference. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (dto) TEXT ONLY ENTRY Modified on 4/20/2026 (dto). (Entered: 04/20/2026)

#35

Apr 20, 2026

(IN CHAMBERS) ORDER STRIKING TEXT ONLY ENTRY (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER by Judge Hernan D. Vera 34 by Daniel Torrez, Courtroom Deputy Clerk to Judge Hernn D. Vera: You are hereby notified that due to a clerical error the TEXT ONLY ENTRY (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER by Judge Hernan D. Vera 34 filed 4/20/26 is STRICKEN. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (dto) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 04/20/2026)

#36

Apr 20, 2026

STATUS REPORT in Advance of April 23, 2026 Hearing filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 04/20/2026)

Apr 20, 2026

Text Only Scheduling Notice

Apr 20, 2026

Generic Text Only Entry

#37

Apr 22, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 04/22/2026)

#38

Apr 29, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 04/29/2026)

#39

Apr 29, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit April 26, 2026 Exit Order)(Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 04/29/2026)

#40

May 05, 2026

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE OR REASSIGNMENT of Deputy Public Defender Jonathan C. Aminoff on behalf of Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. Filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Attorney Jonathan C. Aminoff added to party Lazaro Romero Leon(pty:pet))(Aminoff, Jonathan) (Entered: 05/05/2026)

#41

May 06, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 05/06/2026)

#42

May 13, 2026

STATUS REPORT filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 05/13/2026)

#43

May 20, 2026

EX PARTE APPLICATION for Relief from Detention and on Petitioner's Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus re Amended PETITION for Writ of of Habeas Corpus 14 and Ordering Reimbursement of Costs filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Granting Relief and Ordering Reimbursement for Costs) (Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 05/20/2026)

#44

May 21, 2026

OPPOSITION re: EX PARTE APPLICATION for Relief from Detention and on Petitioner's Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus re Amended PETITION for Writ of of Habeas Corpus 14 and Ordering Reimbursement of Costs 43 filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 05/21/2026)

#45

May 22, 2026

ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION 10 by Judge Hernan D. Vera. For the reasons stated herein, the Court grants the preliminary injunction as follows:2 Respondents are ordered to release Leon from custody forthwith, with no additional conditions of supervision, including no electronic monitoring. Respondents are enjoined and restrained from re-detaining Leon unless they follow the procedures set forth in 8 C.F.R. §§ 241.4, 241.13. Respondents are enjoined and restrained from removing Leon to a third country unless he is provided with notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b). The parties shall file a joint status report regarding Respondents' compliance with this Order no later than May 27, 2026. Respondents are ordered to disseminate this Order to the immigration agents in charge of processing Leon and to place a copy of this Order in Petitioner's A-File. Any issues remaining in this matter are referred to Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin for further consideration. (lom) (Entered: 05/22/2026)

#46

May 24, 2026

Text Only Entry by U.S. Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin: On May 22, 2026, the District Judge issued an Order granting a preliminary injunction directing Petitioner's release from custody and enjoining future re-detention absent compliance with regulatory requirements. (Dkt. 45.) Any remaining issues were referred to the undersigned U.S. Magistrate Judge (e.g., request for costs pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act). To the extent Petitioner wants to file a supplemental brief addressing any remaining merits issues, Petitioner shall have until June 1, 2026 to do so. Respondents shall have until June 8, 2026 to file an opposition. The Court will then consider the matter fully briefed and will prepare a Report and Recommendation for the District Judge. IT IS SO ORDERED. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (AJR) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 05/24/2026)

May 24, 2026

Generic Text Only Entry

#47

May 27, 2026

STATUS REPORT Joint Report Re: Release filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Miller. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 05/27/2026)

#48

Jun 01, 2026

SUPPLEMENT to Motion Related Document 18, EX PARTE APPLICATION for Relief from Detention and on Petitioner's Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus re Amended PETITION for Writ of of Habeas Corpus 14 and Ordering Reimbursement of Costs 43, Amended PETITION for Writ of of Habeas Corpus 14 filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Granting Relief and Ordering Reimbursement for Costs)(Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 06/01/2026)

#49

Jun 08, 2026

RESPONSE filed by Respondents Merick Garland, A. Mayorkas, T. Millerto Supplement, 48 (Wakefield, Whitney) (Entered: 06/08/2026)

#50

Jun 09, 2026

EX PARTE APPLICATION for Order for Leave to File Surreply filed by Petitioner Lazaro Romero Leon. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Proposed Surreply, # 2 Proposed Order Granting Leave to File Surreply) (Farrand, Margaret) (Entered: 06/09/2026)

#51

Jun 10, 2026

ORDER GRANTING EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO FILE A SUR-REPLY by Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin: granting 50 EX PARTE APPLICATION for Order. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petition Lazaro Romero Leon is permitted to file the surreply attached as Exhibit A to his Ex Parte Application for Leave to File Surreply. (Docket no. 50 .) (sh) (Entered: 06/11/2026)

#52

Sep 01, 2026

Notice of Report and Recommendation

#53

Sep 01, 2026

Report and Recommendation (Issued)

Sep 01, 2026

Order

#56

Sep 21, 2026

JUDGMENT by Judge Hernan D. Vera. (MD JS-6, Case Terminated). (nth)

#55

Sep 22, 2026

Writ