Eastern District of New York • 1:26-cv-01457

#1

Mar 12, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus filing fee $ 5, receipt number ANYEDC-19999358, filed by Oscar Morales Mejia. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Petitioner Affidavit) (Cuccia, Edward) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

#2

Mar 12, 2026

Civil Cover Sheet.. by Oscar Morales Mejia (Cuccia, Edward) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

#3

Mar 12, 2026

Proposed Summons. by Oscar Morales Mejia (Cuccia, Edward) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

#4

Mar 13, 2026

Summons Issued as to Pamela Bondi, Todd Lyons, Raul Maldonado, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (SDM) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

#5

Mar 13, 2026

This attorney case opening filing has been checked for quality control. See the attachment for corrections that were made, if any. (SDM) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

#6

Mar 13, 2026

SCHEDULING ORDER: In order to preserve the Court's jurisdiction pending final disposition of the Petition, respondents are ENJOINED from moving petitioner to a location outside the Eastern District of New York, the Southern District of New York, or the District of New Jersey absent further order of this Court. Respondents shall submit a letter, by Monday, March 16, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., stating: (1) the statutory provision(s) under which respondents assert the authority to detain petitioner; and (2) whether there is any material basis to distinguish the instant case from this Court's prior decisions in Y- C- v. Genalo, No. 25-cv-06558, 2025 WL 3653496 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 17, 2025), Crespo Tacuri v. Genalo, No. 25-cv-06896, 2026 WL 35569 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 6, 2026), Terrero v. Tsoukaris, No. 26-cv-00869, or any other decision of this Court. If respondents take the position that the present case is materially different from each of the Court's prior decisions, respondents are ordered to show cause, in writing, as to why the relief sought in the Petition should not be granted and otherwise respond to the factual and legal assertions in the Petition no later than Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. If respondents file a response to the Order to Show Cause, petitioner shall file a reply no later than Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. If respondents file a response to the Order to Show Cause, the parties shall appear for a hearing and oral argument on the petition on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. by telephone, and are directed to call (571) 353-2301 five minutes before the scheduled start of the conference and use meeting ID 913 134 947. The Clerk of the Court is respectfully directed to deliver a copy of this Order to the U.S. Attorney's Office at Richard.Hayes@usdoj.gov. ORDER ATTACHED. Ordered by Judge Natasha C. Merle on 3/13/2026. (JCM) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

#7

Mar 13, 2026

AFFIDAVIT of Service for Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus served on EDNY U.S. Attorney's Office on 3/13/26, filed by Oscar Morales Mejia. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Proof of Email, # 2 Supplement Proof of Overnight Mail) (Cuccia, Edward) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

#8

Mar 13, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Kathleen Anne Mahoney on behalf of All Defendants (aty to be noticed) (Mahoney, Kathleen) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

Mar 13, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Mar 13, 2026

Case Assigned to Judge Natasha C. Merle. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned Judges, located on our website. Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. (SDM)

#9

Mar 16, 2026

Letter to Honorable Natasha C. Merle by Pamela Bondi, Todd Lyons, Raul Maldonado (Mahoney, Kathleen) (Entered: 03/16/2026)

#10

Mar 16, 2026

MEMORANDUM & ORDER: The Court holds that petitioner's detention violates the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution. The petition for a writ of habeas corpus is therefore GRANTED. Respondents are directed to release petition er from custody within 24 hours of this Order and file a letter on the docket no later than 12:00 p.m. on March 18, 2026 certifying their compliance. The Court further orders that petitioner shall not be re-detained without notice and an opportunity to be heard at a pre-deprivation bond hearing before a neutral decisionmaker, where the government will have the burden of showing that his detention is authorized under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a). Petitioner's March 19, 2026 deadline to file a rep ly and the hearing scheduled for March 20, 2026 are hereby adjourned sine die. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to enter judgment consistent with the Order and close the case. ORDER ATTACHED. Ordered by Judge Natasha C. Merle on 3/16/2026. (JCM)

#11

Mar 17, 2026

Letter to Honorable Natasha C. Merle regarding Petitioner's release from custody by Pamela Bondi, Todd Lyons, Raul Maldonado (Mahoney, Kathleen) (Entered: 03/17/2026)

#12

Mar 23, 2026

CLERK'S JUDGMENT: that the petition for a writ of habeas corpus is granted; and petitioner shall not be re-detained without notice and an opportunity to be heard at a pre-deprivation bond hearing before a neutral decisionmaker, where the government will have the burden of showing that his detention is authorized under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a). Signed by Judge Natasha C. Merle and Clerk of Court, Brenna B. Mahoney, on 3/23/2026. (JP) (Entered: 03/24/2026)