Middle District of Florida • 2:26-cv-02027
Alvarez v. Warden, Florida Soft Side South Detention Center (Collier)
Completed
Case Information
Filed: June 15, 2026
Assigned to:
Sheri Polster Chappell
Referred to:
Kevin R. Huguelet
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause:
28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Federal)
Completed: June 25, 2026
Last Activity:
July 21, 2026
Parties:
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Docket Entries
#1
Jun 15, 2026
PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus - Federal filed by Esbay Rodriguez Alvarez. (Attachments: # 1 Mailing Envelope)(JTM) (Entered: 06/16/2026)
Main Document:
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
#2
Jun 15, 2026
MOTION to Proceed In Forma Pauperis by Esbay Rodriguez Alvarez. (Attachments: # 1 Mailing Envelope)(JTM) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Kevin R. Huguelet. (Entered: 06/16/2026)
Main Document:
Proceed In Forma Pauperis
#3
Jun 16, 2026
ENDORSED ORDER granting 2 Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs. Signed by Magistrate Judge Kevin R. Huguelet on 6/16/2026. (BRH) (Entered: 06/16/2026)
Jun 16, 2026
Order on Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
#4
Jun 17, 2026
ORDER to respond and show cause why the petition should not be granted. The Clerk is directed to serve the petition. The Petitioner has 3 days to reply to the response to petition. Response to petition due by 6/24/2026. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 6/17/2026. (TDC) (Entered: 06/17/2026)
#5
Jun 22, 2026
NOTICE of Lead Counsel Designation by Nicholas John Peter Meros on behalf of Warden, Florida Soft Side South Detention Center. Lead Counsel: Nicholas J.P. Meros. (Meros, Nicholas) (Entered: 06/22/2026)
Main Document:
Notice of Lead Counsel Designation
#6
Jun 22, 2026
MOTION to Dismiss Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Warden, Florida Soft Side South Detention Center. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B)(Meros, Nicholas) (Entered: 06/22/2026)
Main Document:
Dismiss
#7
Jun 22, 2026
NOTICE of Change of Address and Notice of Transfer by Esbay Rodriguez Alvarez (Attachments: # 1 Mailing Envelope)(SJD) (Entered: 06/22/2026)
Main Document:
Notice of change of address
#8
Jun 22, 2026
ENDORSED ORDER denying Respondent Warden of Florida Soft Side South Detention Center's Motion to Dismiss Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 6). "The federal habeas statute straightforwardly provides that the proper respondent to a habeas petition is the person who has custody over the petitioner." Rumsfeld v. Padilla, 542 U.S. 426, 434 (2004) (cleaned up). While courts have recognized that immigration detainees in state-run facilities can bring habeas claims against certain federal officials, see, e.g., Masingene v. Martin, 424 F. Supp. 3d 1298, 1301 (S.D. Fla. 2020), the immediate custodian is also a proper respondent. As the immediate custodian of the petitioner, the Warden is a proper respondent to his habeas petition. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 6/22/2026. (SAP) (Entered: 06/22/2026)
Jun 22, 2026
Order on Motion to Dismiss
#9
Jun 23, 2026
Miscellaneous Relief
Main Document:
Miscellaneous Relief
#10
Jun 24, 2026
Response to habeas petition
Main Document:
Response to habeas petition
#11
Jun 25, 2026
ENDORSED ORDER granting Esbay Rodriguez Alvarez's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 1). The Government concedes the petitioner is entitled to a bond hearing based upon the Eleventh Circuit's opinion in Hernandez Alvarez v. Warden, 175 F.4th 1258 (11th Cir. 2026). The Court orders the Respondents to bring Petitioner before an immigration judge for an individualized bond hearing within ten days of the date of this Order. The hearing must include--and the resulting order must reflect--consideration of the factors set forth in In re Guerra, 24 I. & N. Dec. 37 (BIA 2006), and the government must bear the burden of proof. If Respondents are unable to ensure Petitioner receives a bond hearing that complies with this Order within ten days, they must release him under reasonable conditions of supervision. Because the government recently transferred Petitioner to a different facility and does not forward legal mail to detainees after transferring them, the government must certify it has served this Order on him within three days. The Clerk is DIRECTED to terminate any pending motions and deadlines, enter judgment, and close the case. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 6/25/2026. (NMC) (Entered: 06/25/2026)
#12
Jun 25, 2026
Judgment - Prisoner
Main Document:
Judgment - Prisoner
Jun 25, 2026
Opinion and order AND Order Dismissing Case
#13
Jul 06, 2026
Miscellaneous Relief
Main Document:
Miscellaneous Relief
#14
Jul 06, 2026
Notice (Other)
Main Document:
Notice (Other)
#15
Jul 06, 2026
Affidavit
Main Document:
Affidavit
#16
Jul 17, 2026
Response in Opposition to Motion
Main Document:
Response in Opposition to Motion
#17
Jul 21, 2026
OPINION AND ORDER. Esbay Rodriguez Alvarez's Motion to Determine Compliance with the Court's June 25, 2026 Judgment (Doc. 13) is DENIED. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 7/21/2026. (SAP) (Entered: 07/21/2026)
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