Southern District of Texas • 5:26-cv-00285
Arocha Merencio v. Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Completed
Case Information
Filed: February 25, 2026
Assigned to:
John A. Kazen
Referred to:
Brian C. Bajew
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause:
28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (federa
Completed: August 03, 2026
Last Activity:
August 03, 2026
Parties:
View All Parties →
Docket Entries
#1
Feb 25, 2026
PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Filing fee $ 5) filed by Yassel Arocha Merencio. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (vm5) (Additional attachment(s) added on 2/26/2026: # 2 Cover Letter) (vm5). (Additional attachment(s) added on 2/26/2026: # 3 Exhibit) (vm5). (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
#2
Feb 25, 2026
MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. Motion Docket Date 3/18/2026. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Temporary Restraining Order
#3
Feb 25, 2026
MOTION to Expedite Consideration by Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. Motion Docket Date 3/18/2026. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Expedite
#4
Feb 25, 2026
MOTION for Appointment of Counsel by Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. Motion Docket Date 3/18/2026. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Appointment
#5
Feb 25, 2026
MEMORANDUM of Law in Support of Habeas Petition by Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Memorandum
#6
Feb 25, 2026
DECLARATION of Sandra Maria Cutino Martinez as Next Friend of Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Declaration
#7
Feb 25, 2026
DECLARATION of Hardship, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Declaration
#8
Feb 25, 2026
ADDENDUM AND SUPPLEMENTAL DECLARITON of Sandra Maria Cutino Martinez as Next Friend of Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Declaration
#10
Feb 25, 2026
ADDENDUM regarding Pending USCIS adjustment filed by Sandra Maria Cutino Martinez as Next Friend of Yassel Arocha Merencio, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Declaration
#11
Feb 25, 2026
ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Brian C. Bajew. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Referring Case to Magistrate Judge (FORM)
Feb 25, 2026
Referral Judge Selected: Magistrate Judge Brian C. Bajew randomly selected to receive referrals. An order or notice of referral of case or motion to follow. (vm5)
#9
Feb 26, 2026
Clerk's Notice of Redaction Responsibilities and Privacy Protection. Parties notified, filed. (SDTX_CMECF_AutoDocket, ) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Clerks Notice of Redaction Responsibilities and Privacy Protection (FORM, noticing)
#12
Feb 26, 2026
ORDER. The Court ORDERS the attached form be completed and received by 3/6/2026. The Court may dismiss the 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 because it does not have enough information to proceed. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (jgr5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Order
#13
Feb 26, 2026
NOTICE to Pro Se Litigant of Case Opening, with Notice Regarding Consent to Jurisdiction of a Magistrate Judge. Party notified, filed. (vm5) (Entered: 02/26/2026)
Main Document:
Notice to Pro Se Litigant of Case Opening (FORM, noticing)
Feb 26, 2026
Filing fee: $5 re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus,, receipt number 500001780, filed. (akp5)
Feb 26, 2026
Referral Judge Selected
Mar 02, 2026
Filing Fee Received
#15
Mar 03, 2026
Sealed Document (use only if no other applicable option available)
Main Document:
Sealed Document (use only if no other applicable option available)
#16
Mar 06, 2026
Document
Main Document:
Document
#17
Apr 20, 2026
ORDER the Court ACCEPTS Petitioners Petition filed as next friend, (Dkt. No. 1). Based upon a review of the Petition and the additional information, the Court ORDERS Respondent to file a response to the petition and serve their response on Petitioner no later than April 27, 2026.1 28 U.S.C. § 2243. Should Petitioner wish to file a reply, they must do so no later than May 4, 2026. re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, (Served electronically on USAO per MOU.) Responses due by 4/27/2026. (Signed by Judge John A Kazen) Parties notified. (vm5) (Entered: 04/20/2026)
Main Document:
ORDER
#23
Apr 28, 2026
Miscellaneous Relief
Main Document:
Miscellaneous Relief
#24
Apr 30, 2026
Extension of Time
Main Document:
Extension of Time
Apr 30, 2026
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Eric Joel Drootman on behalf of Acting Director, Field Office Director, filed. (Drootman, Eric)
Apr 30, 2026
Notice of Appearance - USA (Govt Use Only)
#25
May 01, 2026
Certified Mail Receipt Returned
Main Document:
Certified Mail Receipt Returned
#26
May 06, 2026
Summary Judgment
Main Document:
Summary Judgment
#27
May 22, 2026
Response in Opposition to Motion
Main Document:
Response in Opposition to Motion
#28
Jun 08, 2026
Miscellaneous Relief
Main Document:
Miscellaneous Relief
#29
Jul 06, 2026
Order
Main Document:
Order
#30
Jul 07, 2026
Document
Main Document:
Document
#35
Jul 21, 2026
Expedite
Main Document:
Expedite
Jul 21, 2026
Expedite
#36
Jul 30, 2026
Dismiss
Main Document:
Dismiss
#37
Jul 31, 2026
Order
Main Document:
Order
#38
Jul 31, 2026
Document
Main Document:
Document
#39
Aug 03, 2026
Judgment - Final AND Order
Main Document:
Judgment - Final AND Order
#40
Aug 03, 2026
Order
Main Document:
Order
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