District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-08400

#1

Jul 08, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ANJDC-17635158.), filed by JUAN NATAREN TORRES. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit Asylum Application, # 3 Exhibit Employment Authorization Document, # 4 Exhibit OPLA 2022 Doyle Memo, # 5 Exhibit ICE Detainee Locator, # 6 Exhibit Good Conduct Letter, # 7 Exhibit Notice to Appear)(MENA, ALEXANDER) (Entered: 07/08/2026)

#2

Jul 08, 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 7/8/2026. (jml, ) (Entered: 07/08/2026)

Jul 08, 2026

Judge Katharine S. Hayden added. (jml, )

Jul 08, 2026

Add and Terminate Judges

Jul 08, 2026

Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order

#3

Jul 09, 2026

TEXT ORDER: Petitioner JUAN NATAREN TORRES is a citizen of El Salvador who allegedly entered the United States on July 28, 2016, and applied for asylum; Petitioner further alleges that his removal proceedings were terminated pursuant to prosecutorial discretion, and he has provided evidence that he has no criminal history. (ECF No. 1, Petition at 42-45; ECF No. 1-6 ("Good Conduct" Letter).) On July 3, 2026, he was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the street in Plainfield, New Jersey, and removal proceedings were instituted against him. (Id. at 46-47, 51.) The Petition 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, 2026 WL 1534682, at *5 (D.N.J., 2026) (Jun. 1, 2026) (rejecting respondents' argument that a 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, or that Petitioner has a significant criminal history, 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 7/9/26. (cm, ) (Entered: 07/09/2026)

Jul 09, 2026

Order

#4

Jul 10, 2026

Notice of Appearance

#5

Jul 10, 2026

Status Report

#6

Jul 16, 2026

TEXT ORDER: Respondents' letter confirms that JUAN NATAREN TORRES was released from detention on July 9, 2026, at 10:10 p.m., as directed in this Court's Order issued on the previous day. (ECF Nos. 3, 5.) 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