District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-07539

#1

Jun 23, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17573217.), filed by MEGHANA H. RAJPUT. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit Notice to Appear, # 3 Exhibit Order of Release, # 4 Exhibit Timely Filing, # 5 Exhibit Work Authorization, # 6 Exhibit Case info)(CARDENAS, VERONICA) (Entered: 06/23/2026)

#2

Jun 24, 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 6/24/2026. (jr) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

Jun 24, 2026

Case assigned to Judge Katharine S. Hayden. (jr)

Jun 24, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Jun 24, 2026

Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order

#3

Jul 02, 2026

TEXT ORDER: Petitioner MEGH RAJ is a citizen of India who allegedly entered the United States in November 2022, was released on recognizance, has no criminal history, and does not have a final order of removal. (ECF No. 1, Petition at 7, 12-19.) He was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") on June 16, 2026 (id. at 17), and contends that he is unlawfully detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b) and is entitled to release or a bond hearing under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a). In Rivera Zumba v. Bondi, Civ. No. 25-cv-14626, 2025 WL 2753496, at *7-9 (D.N.J. Sept. 26, 2025), this Court held that the plain language of 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A) does not govern the detention of a noncitizen who enters the United States without inspection and is later arrested within the interior of the United States; see also Guzman v. Bondi, 26-1250 (KSH), 2026 WL 1534682, at *5 (D.N.J., 2026) (Jun. 1, 2026) (rejecting respondents' argument that noncitizen who was paroled at the border under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)(A) reverts to his prior detention status following a period of parole). Based on the allegations in the Petition and this Court's prior decisions, the Court GRANTS the Petition. The Court will not convert Petitioner's detention to a potentially lawful alternate form under a different statute with different procedural requirements and rules. See Guzman, 2026 WL 1534682, at *5. It is ORDERED that Respondents shall release Petitioner within 24 hours and confirm his release in writing on the docket within three (3) days. ALTERNATIVELY, if Respondents contend that Petitioner's case is factually or legally distinguishable, they shall file an expedited answer within five (5) days, and Petitioner may file a reply within three (3) days of the filing of the expedited answer. The Court's Text Order (ECF No. 2) that temporarily enjoins Respondents from transferring Petitioner from this District REMAINS IN EFFECT until Petitioner is released or the proceedings conclude. So Ordered by Judge Katharine S. Hayden on 7/2/2026. (mw) (Entered: 07/02/2026)

Jul 02, 2026

Order

#4

Jul 07, 2026

Notice of Appearance

#5

Jul 07, 2026

Response to Habeas Petition

#6

Jul 09, 2026

Reply to Response (NOT Motion)

#7

Jul 09, 2026

TEXT ORDER:The Court is in receipt of respondents' submission (D.E. 5) to its order (D.E. 3) directing petitioner's release unless respondents object on an expedited basis. Petitioner has filed a reply (D.E. 6) which does not address the nature of the charges against petitioner or the issue of flight risk, including whether petitioner has family or community ties. Petitioner shall supplement his reply no later than close of business Monday, January 13, 2026. So Ordered by Judge Katharine S. Hayden on 7/9/26. (cm, ) (Entered: 07/09/2026)

Jul 09, 2026

Order

#8

Jul 10, 2026

Reply to Response (NOT Motion)

#9

Jul 13, 2026

TEXT ORDER: Petitioner MEGH RAJ is a citizen of India who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") on June 16, 2026, and contends that he is unlawfully detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b) and is entitled to release under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a). (ECF No. 1.) Based on its decisions in Rivera Zumba v. Bondi, Civ. No. 25-cv-14626, 2025 WL 2753496, at *7-9 (D.N.J. Sept. 26, 2025) and Guzman v. Bondi, 26-1250 (KSH), 2026 WL 1534682, at *5 (D.N.J. Jun. 1, 2026), the Court ordered respondents to release petitioner in 24 hours but provided them with the opportunity to file an expedited answer instead if petitioner's case was factually or legally distinguishable. (ECF No. 3.) Respondents filed an expedited answer in accordance with that Text Order and provided evidence that Petitioner was arrested and charged with loitering for the purpose of engaging in prostitution, in violation of N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:34-1.1, on June 15, 2026. (ECF Nos. 5, 5-2.) Respondents do not argue that the disorderly persons charge, which remains unresolved, subjects Petitioner to mandatory detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(c) but contend that bond is the appropriate remedy considering his criminal history. Petitioner maintains his innocence of the disorderly persons charge and argues that it does not make him a danger or a flight risk. (ECF Nos. 6, 8.) In recent prior decisions, the Court declined to convert the petitioner's detention to a potentially lawful alternate form under a different statute with different procedural requirements and rules. See Guzman, 2026 WL 1534682, at *5. The Court also declines to do so in this case. It is, therefore, ORDERED that Respondents shall release Petitioner within 24 hours and confirm his release in writing on the docket within three (3) days. So Ordered by Judge Katharine S. Hayden on 7/13/26. (cm, ) (Entered: 07/13/2026)

Jul 13, 2026

Order

#10

Jul 14, 2026

Letter

#11

Jul 16, 2026

TEXT ORDER: Respondents' letter confirms that MEGH RAJ was released from detention on July 14, 2026, at 2:06 a.m., as directed in this Court's Order issued on the previous day. (ECF Nos. 9, 10.) Therefore, this matter shall be dismissed WITHOUT PREJUDICE and marked CLOSED. So Ordered by Judge Katharine S. Hayden on 7/16/26. (cm, ) (Entered: 07/16/2026)

Jul 16, 2026

Terminate Civil Case

Jul 16, 2026

Order