Eastern District of Virginia • 1:25-cv-01645

#1

Sep 30, 2025

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number AVAEDC-10493884.), filed by Nelson Alexander Maldonado Merlos, Jorge Adalid Montoya Estrada, Roberto Carlos Ortez Contreras. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit D, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet civil cover sheet)(Blessinger, Eileen) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Sep 30, 2025

Initial Case Assignment to District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema and Magistrate Judge William E. Fitzpatrick. (dvanm)

#2

Oct 01, 2025

ORDERED that the petitioners ARE NOT to be removed or transferred from this district for any reason without this Court's permission; and it is further ORDERED that by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, petitioners' counsel provide the Court with a proposed release plan for each petitioner, each of which must include a fixed address should the petition be granted, and respondents SHOW CAUSE as to why the petition should not be granted. If the Court finds that a hearing on Merlos's, Contreras's, and Estrada's Petition is appropriate, it will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 10, 2025. Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 10/01/2025. (dvanm) (Entered: 10/01/2025)

#3

Oct 01, 2025

Motion to appear Pro Hac Vice by Kevin Hirst and Certification of Local Counsel Eileen P. Blessinger Filing fee $ 75, receipt number AVAEDC-10497309. by Nelson Alexander Maldonado Merlos, Jorge Adalid Montoya Estrada, Roberto Carlos Ortez Contreras. (Blessinger, Eileen) (Entered: 10/01/2025)

Oct 01, 2025

Set Hearings: Writ Hearing set for 10/1/2025 at 10:00 AM in Alexandria Courtroom 700 before District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. (dvanm)

Oct 01, 2025

Reset Hearings: Writ Hearing set for 10/10/2025 at 10:00 AM in Alexandria Courtroom 700 before District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. (dvanm)

#4

Oct 02, 2025

ORDER granting 3 Motion for Pro hac vice Appointed Kevin Charles Hirst for Nelson Alexander Maldonado Merlos,Kevin Charles Hirst for Jorge Adalid Montoya Estrada,Kevin Charles Hirst for Roberto Carlos Ortez Contreras. Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 10/2/2025. (swil) (Entered: 10/02/2025)

#5

Oct 07, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Christian James Cooper on behalf of Pam Bondi, Russell Hott, Kristi Noem (Cooper, Christian) (Entered: 10/07/2025)

#6

Oct 07, 2025

Opposition to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241), filed by Pam Bondi, Russell Hott, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Declaration of James A. Mullan, # 2 Exhibit Petitioners' NTAs, # 3 Exhibit Administrative Warrants)(Cooper, Christian) (Entered: 10/07/2025)

#7

Oct 07, 2025

NOTICE by Nelson Alexander Maldonado Merlos, Jorge Adalid Montoya Estrada, Roberto Carlos Ortez Contreras of Release Plan for Nelson Alexander Maldonado Merlos (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Proof of Residential Address, # 2 Exhibit B - Marriage Certificate and Birth Certificates, # 3 Exhibit C - Proof of Form I-130 Sponsorship, # 4 Exhibit D - Criminal History, # 5 Exhibit E - Form I-213, # 6 Exhibit F - Letters in support, # 7 Exhibit G - Driver's License of Mr. Maldonado's Spouse)(Blessinger, Eileen) (Entered: 10/07/2025)

#8

Oct 07, 2025

NOTICE by Nelson Alexander Maldonado Merlos, Jorge Adalid Montoya Estrada, Roberto Carlos Ortez Contreras Notice of Release Plan for Roberto Carlos Ortez Contreras (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Proof of Residential Address, # 2 Exhibit B - Birth Certificates for Mr. Ortez's Children, # 3 Exhibit C - Criminal History, # 4 Exhibit D - Proof of Church Membership and Activity, # 5 Exhibit E - Robert & Son Colling & Heating LLC Certificate of Organization, # 6 Exhibit F - Driver's License of Mr. Ortez's Spouse, # 7 Exhibit G - Driver's License of Mr. Ortez's Stepdaughter)(Blessinger, Eileen) (Entered: 10/07/2025)

#9

Oct 07, 2025

NOTICE by Nelson Alexander Maldonado Merlos, Jorge Adalid Montoya Estrada, Roberto Carlos Ortez Contreras Notice of Release Plan for Jorge Adalid Montoya Estrada (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Proof of Residential Address, # 2 Exhibit B - Mr. Montoya's Marriage Certificate and Birth Certificates of his Children, # 3 Exhibit C - Criminal History, # 4 Exhibit D - Letter of Support from Mr. Montoya's Pastor, # 5 Exhibit E - School Records for Mr. Montoya's Youngest Daughter, # 6 Exhibit F - Mr. Montoya's Driver's License)(Blessinger, Eileen) (Entered: 10/07/2025)

#10

Oct 09, 2025

MOTION Waive Appearance of Local Counsel by Nelson Alexander Maldonado Merlos, Jorge Adalid Montoya Estrada, Roberto Carlos Ortez Contreras. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Blessinger, Eileen) (Entered: 10/09/2025)

#11

Oct 09, 2025

ORDERED that the petitioners' Petition [Dkt. No. 1] is GRANTED. ORDERED that petitioners be released from custody, with all their personal property, pending their bond hearings before the Immigration Judge. Petitioners must live at the fixed address identified in their Proposed Release Plans and appear at the bond hearing once the government notifies them of their dates, times, and locations. ORDERED that respondents provide petitioners with a standard bond hearing before an Immigration Judge pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) within 14 days of the date of this Order. ORDERED that respondents are ENJOINED from denying bond to petitioners on the basis that they are detained pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2) (see Order for details). Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 10/9/2025. (kgall) (Entered: 10/09/2025)

#12

Oct 09, 2025

CLERK'S JUDGMENT is hereby entered in accordance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 58, JUDGMENT is hereby entered in favor of the petitioners Nelson Alexander Maldonado Merlos, Roberto Carlos Ortez Contreras, and Jorge Adalid Montoya Estrada and against the respondents Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Russell Hott, and Jeff Crawford. Entered by the Clerk on 10/9/2025. (kgall) (Entered: 10/09/2025)

#13

Oct 22, 2025

STATUS REPORT by Pam Bondi, Jeff Crawford, Kristi Noem. (Barghaan, Dennis) (Entered: 10/22/2025)