Western District of Texas • 5:26-cv-03510
Maldonado Jimenez v. United States Attorney Western District of Texas
Completed
Case Information
Filed: May 29, 2026
Assigned to:
Jason K Pulliam
Referred to:
—
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause:
28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (federa
Completed: September 11, 2026
Last Activity:
September 14, 2026
Parties:
View All Parties →
Docket Entries
#1
May 29, 2026
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number 11593), filed by Maria Maite Maldonado Jimenez. (Attachments: # 1 Receipt)(r013) (Entered: 06/01/2026)
Main Document:
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
May 29, 2026
Case has been randomly assigned to the docket of Honorable Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (kc)
May 29, 2026
If ordered by the court, all referrals will be assigned to Magistrate Judge Kelly G. Stephenson (kc)
#2
Jun 01, 2026
Case Opening Letter mailed to Maria Maite Maldonado Jimenez. (kc) (Entered: 06/01/2026)
Main Document:
Case Opening Letter
Jun 01, 2026
Case Assigned/Reassigned
Jun 01, 2026
To be Referred to SA Mag Judge
#3
Jun 02, 2026
Text ORDER FOR SERVICE of 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. It is ORDERED that notice of electronic filing of 1 Petition and this Order to the United States Attorney in San Antonio, Texas shall constitute service on the Federal Respondents and on all Respondents unless otherwise contested. It is FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents shall file a response to the Petition within seven (7) days of the date of service. The response must identify: (1) Petitioner's alleged country of birth, so that Petitioner can be located in the Online Detainee Locator System; (2) Petitioner's alleged date of entry and statutory basis for removability; (3) any previous immigration detention history, e.g., whether Petitioner has previously been subject to immigration detention and, if so, the approximate date of Petitioner's previous release into the interior; and (4) Petitioner's alleged immigration status, e.g., whether Petitioner has a pending claim for asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture or is subject to a final removal order. It is FURTHER ORDERED that, if Petitioner elects to file a reply, Petitioner may do so no later than seven days after the Respondents file their answers/responses. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (lc) (Entered: 06/02/2026)
Jun 02, 2026
Order
#4
Jun 09, 2026
RESPONSE RESPONSE TO PETITION by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) San Antonio Field Office, United States Attorney Western District of Texas. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C)(Falcon, Barbara) (Entered: 06/09/2026)
Main Document:
Response
#5
Jul 09, 2026
ORDER FOR OMNIBUS ADVISORY. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (r013) (Entered: 07/09/2026)
Main Document:
Order
#6
Jul 13, 2026
ORDER VACATING re 5 Order for Omnibus Advisory. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (r013) (Entered: 07/13/2026)
Main Document:
Order
#7
Jul 16, 2026
NOTICE of Change of Address by Maria Maite Maldonado Jimenez (vl) (Entered: 07/21/2026)
Main Document:
Notice of Change of Address
#8
Jul 23, 2026
NOTICE of Change of Address by Maria Maite Maldonado Jimenez (vl) (Entered: 07/27/2026)
Main Document:
Notice of Change of Address
#9
Aug 21, 2026
REPLY to 4 Response, by Maria Maite Maldonado Jimenez. (vl) (Entered: 08/26/2026)
Main Document:
Response
#10
Sep 11, 2026
TEXT ORDER GRANTING 1 PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS. Petitioner claims that Respondents have violated procedural due process rights under the Fifth Amendment based on a significant presence in the United States and/or an improper revocation of release. Respondents have submitted a response in opposition. After reviewing the briefing, provided evidence, and applicable law, the Court grants the petition based on the law as set out and analyzed in Longoria Mendoza v. Noem, 823 F. Supp. 3d 636 (W.D. Tex. 2026) and numerous other cases decided by the undersigned. While there are differences between this case and Longoria Mendoza, none warrant a different result. The Court notes the en banc Fifth Circuit has stayed the district-court judgments pending rehearing in Sosnava Rodriguez v. Ortega, _ F.4th _, No. 26-50183, 2026 WL 2104747, at *1 (5th Cir. July 21, 2026) (per curiam). To the extent the Government contends that this stay prevents district courts from granting habeas relief on procedural-due-process grounds while rehearing is pending, this Court does not read the order so broadly. The Court is unaware of any Fifth Circuit decision or order holding that the stay categorically bars adjudication of, or relief on, such claims. Other courts have continued to consider due-process claims under pre-panel-decision analyses, including Perozo-Mata v. Blanche, _F. Supp. 3d _, No. 4:26-CV-05679, 2026 WL 2195373, at *3 (S.D. Tex. July 27, 2026). Absent further Fifth Circuit guidance, the stay in Sosnava Rodriguez does not preclude habeas relief on Petitioners due-process claim. For reasons previously stated in Longoria Mendoza, the Court finds that (1) it has jurisdiction to consider the arguments presented in the instant habeas petition; (2) any asserted failure to exhaust administrative remedies is excused; (3) Respondents have violated Petitioner's procedural due process rights; and (4) fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412 are not available in habeas corpus proceedings like this one. The Court treats the instant action solely as a habeas action under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 and declines to consider any claim other than the alleged violation of procedural due process. The Court has considered the arguments Respondents make in response and rejects them for reasons stated in prior cases. Under the facts and circumstances of this case, this Court concludes Petitioner's detention is unlawful, and habeas relief is proper. Because Petitioner has no known criminal history, had been complying with the terms of a prior release, and there is no indication of flight risk or danger to the community, it is ORDERED that on or before September 13, 2026, Respondents shall RELEASE Petitioner Maria Maite Maldonado Jimenezfrom custody to a public location, under conditions no more restrictive than those in place before the detention at issue. Respondents must NOTIFY Petitioner's counsel, if any, of the exact location and exact time of release as soon as practicable and no less than two hours before release. Any possible or anticipated removal or transfer of Petitioner under this present detention is PROHIBITED. No later than the next business day after the ordered release date, Respondents shall FILE a status report to confirm whether Petitioner has been released. A written final judgment will be issued separately to summarize the orders of the Court and to close this habeas case. A written final judgment will be issued separately to summarize the orders of the Court and to close this habeas case. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (lc) (Entered: 09/11/2026)
#11
Sep 11, 2026
FINAL JUDGMENT. Signed by Judge Jason K. Pulliam. (vl) (Entered: 09/11/2026)
Main Document:
Judgment AND ~Util - Set/Clear Flags
#12
Sep 11, 2026
SUPPLEMENT to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Maria Maite Maldonado Jimenez. (vl) (Entered: 09/11/2026)
Main Document:
Supplement to
Sep 11, 2026
Order
#13
Sep 14, 2026
STATUS REPORT Federal Respondents' Status Report by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) San Antonio Field Office, United States Attorney Western District of Texas. (Miller, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/14/2026)
Main Document:
Status Report
Parties
Maldonado Jimenez
Party
United States Attorney Western District of Texas
Party