District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-06901

CALDERON MORALES v. TSOUKARIS

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Case Information

Filed: June 10, 2026
Assigned to: Madeline Cox Arleo
Referred to:
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (federa
Active
Last Activity: July 28, 2026
Parties: View All Parties →

Docket Entries

#1
Jun 10, 2026
PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17526965.), filed by LESLIE ARELY CALDERON MORALES. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Certificate of Service, # 4 Index, # 5 Exhibit ICE Detainee Locator Record, # 6 Exhibit Form I-220A, Order of Release on Recognizance, # 7 Exhibit Receipt Notice for Form I-589, # 8 Exhibit Employment Authorization Document, # 9 Exhibit EOIR Automated Case Information, # 10 Exhibit Birth Certificate, # 11 Exhibit Letters of Support)(QUIROZ, LILIANA) (Entered: 06/10/2026)
Main Document: Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
#2
Jun 10, 2026
TEXT ORDER. Respondents are hereby enjoined from transferring Petitioner from New Jersey pending further Order of the Court. So Ordered by Chief Judge Renee Marie Bumb on 6/10/2026. (jr) (Entered: 06/10/2026)
Jun 10, 2026
Case Assigned/Reassigned
Jun 10, 2026
Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order
Jun 10, 2026
Case assigned to Judge Madeline Cox Arleo. (jr)
#3
Jul 10, 2026
TEXT ORDER- Petitioner LESLIE ARELY CALDERON MORALES is a citizen of Guatemala who was released on an order of supervision in 2019 and is seeking asylum and other relief. (ECF No. 1, Petition at 48-60.) He was recently detained by ICE at a routine supervision visit and has been denied the opportunity for bond. (Id.) Based on these facts and the Court's decisions in Vasquez Lucero v. Soto, No. 25-16737-MCA, 2025 WL 3240895, at *1-2 (D.N.J. Nov. 20, 2025) (holding that a noncitizen who entered without inspection and was later arrested in the interior of the United States could not be detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)) and Murillo-Castillo v. Florentino, No. 25-16728 2026 WL 1383062, at *5 (D.N.J. May 18, 2026) (rejecting the argument that 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)(A) necessarily returns a noncitizen arrested in the interior of the United States to the detention status he held prior to parole), the Court holds that Petitioner is unlawfully detained under § 1225(b), in violation of the INA and his Fifth Amendment right to due process. Moreover, although 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) permits discretionary detention of noncitizens based on flight risk or dangerousness, it appears that Respondents have detained Petitioner under a flawed interpretation of § 1225(b)(2), and this Court will not correct Respondents' unlawful detention. See Murillo-Castillo, 2026 WL 1383062, at *6. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the Petition (ECF No. 1) is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Respondents shall release Petitioner within 24 hours. Alternatively, if Respondents contend that Petitioner's case is factually or legally distinguishable or that Petitioner has a significant criminal history that he has not disclosed, they shall file an expedited answer within three (3) business days. If Respondents do not file an expedited answer, they shall file a status report within three (3) business days confirming Petitioner's release and requesting to close this case. The temporary stay of transfer entered at ECF No. 2 shall remain in effect while this matter is pending. So Ordered by Judge Madeline Cox Arleo on 7/10/2026. (aa, ) (Entered: 07/10/2026)
#4
Jul 10, 2026
Notice of Appearance
Main Document: Notice of Appearance
#5
Jul 10, 2026
Letter
Main Document: Letter
Jul 10, 2026
Order
#6
Jul 12, 2026
Letter
Main Document: Letter
#7
Jul 28, 2026
Letter
Main Document: Letter