District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-08291

#1

Jul 06, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17622697.), filed by YONI MELENDEZ-VARGAS. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(ROMERO, CUSTODIO) (Entered: 07/06/2026)

#2

Jul 07, 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 7/7/2026. (ps) (Entered: 07/07/2026)

#3

Jul 07, 2026

TEXT ORDER: This matter comes before the Court upon Petitioner Yoni Melendez Vargas Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241. D.E. 1 ("Petition"). Petitioner challenges his mandatory detention by immigration authorities under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2) as unlawful and in violation of his liberty interest under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. Id. at 6. In accordance with Rule 4 of the Rules Governing 2254 Cases ("Habeas Rule 4"), applicable to § 2241 cases through Rule 1(b), scope of the Rules, this Court has screened the Petition for dismissal and determined dismissal without a full answer is not warranted. Respondents shall file an expedited answer to the Petition within two days. Petitioner may file a reply brief within two days of the filing date of the answer. So Ordered by Judge Evelyn Padin on 7/7/2026. (bt) (Entered: 07/07/2026)

Jul 07, 2026

Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order

Jul 07, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Jul 07, 2026

Text Order

Jul 07, 2026

Case Assigned to Judge Evelyn Padin. (ps)

#4

Jul 09, 2026

Notice of Appearance

#5

Jul 09, 2026

Response (NOT Motion)

#6

Jul 10, 2026

TEXT ORDER: This matter comes before the Court upon Petitioner Yoni Melendez-Vargas's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241. D.E. 1 ("Petition"). Petitioner challenges his mandatory detention by immigration authorities under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2) as unlawful and seeks immediate release. Respondents do not dispute the facts alleged in the Petition. D.E. 5 ("Answer"). However, Respondents oppose habeas relief, but acknowledge that their argument in opposition relies on the same issue of statutory interpretation previously rejected by this Court and many other courts. Id. at 1 n.1 & 3. Accordingly, for the same reasons stated by this Court in Lomeu v. Soto, No. 25-16589, 2025 WL 2981296 (D.N.J. Oct. 23, 2025) and in this District by Rivera Zumba v. Bondi, No. 25-14626, 2025 WL 2753496 (D.N.J. Sept. 26, 2025), the Court holds that Petitioner's mandatory detention under § 1225(b)(2) violates the statute and his Fifth Amendment right to due process. Accordingly, the Petition is GRANTED. Respondents shall release Petitioner within 24 hours of this Order. Respondents shall, within 3 days of Petitioner's release, file a status report indicating compliance with this matter. If Respondents subsequently arrest Petitioner under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), they shall comply with the regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 236.1(c)(8), (d). So Ordered by Judge Evelyn Padin on 7/10/2026. (bt) (Entered: 07/10/2026)

Jul 10, 2026

Text Order

#7

Jul 12, 2026

Letter

#8

Jul 13, 2026

TEXT ORDER: After reviewing Petitioner Yoni Melendez-Vargas's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241, D.E. 1 ("Petition"), as well as Respondents' answer, D.E. 5, this Court granted the Petition and ordered Respondents to release Petitioner within 24 hours. D.E. 6 . The Court has reviewed Respondents' status report, which establishes that Petitioner was released in accordance with this Court's Order. D.E. 7 . Accordingly, the Clerk of Court shall CLOSE this matter. So Ordered by Judge Evelyn Padin on 7/13/2026. (bt) (Entered: 07/13/2026)

Jul 13, 2026

***Civil Case Terminated. (wh)

Jul 13, 2026

Terminate Civil Case

Jul 13, 2026

Text Order