Eastern District of Virginia • 1:26-cv-00201

#1

Jan 21, 2026

Emergency PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number AVAEDC-10727030.), filed by Edgar Vinicio Benitez Simbana. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit A - Notice to Appear)(Borowski, Matthew) (Entered: 01/21/2026)

Jan 21, 2026

Initial Case Assignment to District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles and Magistrate Judge William E. Fitzpatrick. (dvanm)

#2

Jan 22, 2026

ORDERED that Petitioner IS NOT to be removed or transferred from this district for any reason without this Court's permission. ORDERED that on or before 5:00 PM on January 26, 2026, the Federal 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 Andrade Portillo v. Perry, et al., 1:25-cv-1646 (E.D. Va.), or an Opposition to the Petition discussing the material differences between Andrade Portillo and this Petition. ORDERED that if the Federal Respondents file a Notice that there are no material differences between this Petition and Andrade Portillo, 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 the Federal 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 January 29, 2026. Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 1/22/2026. (kgall) (Entered: 01/22/2026)

#3

Jan 23, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew J. Mezger on behalf of Pamela Bondi, Todd M. Lyons, Kristi Noem, Joseph Simon (Mezger, Matthew) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

#4

Jan 26, 2026

Opposition to 1 PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus, filed by Pamela Bondi, Todd M. Lyons, Kristi Noem, Joseph Simon. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit FREX 01)(Mezger, Matthew) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

#5

Jan 27, 2026

Reply to 4 Opposition filed by Edgar Vinicio Benitez Simbana. (Borowski, Matthew) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

#6

Feb 17, 2026

ORDERED that the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Dkl. 1) is GRANTED; it is further ORDERED that Petitioner be immediately released from custody, with all his personal property, pending his bond hearing before an immigration judge. Petitioner must live at a fixed address and provide that address to the Court within twenty-four (24) hours of the issuance of this Order. Petitioner must also appear at the bond hearing once the government notifies him of its date, time, and location (see Order for further details). Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 2/17/2026. (Sbro, ) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

#7

Feb 17, 2026

CLERK'S JUDGMENT is hereby entered in favor of Petitioner Edgar Vinicio Benitez Simbana and against Respondents Kristi Noem, Todd Lyons, Joseph Simon, Pamela Bondi, Jeff Crawford Pursuant to the Order of this Court entered on February 17, 2026 and in accordance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 58. Signed by Clerk on 2/17/2026. (Sbro, ) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

#8

Mar 02, 2026

STATUS REPORT by Pamela Bondi, Todd M. Lyons, Kristi Noem, Joseph Simon. (Schmidt, Robert) (Entered: 03/02/2026)