District of New Jersey • 2:26-cv-09351

#1

Jul 24, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number NEW54673.), filed by SANTOS CEBALLOS MELCHOR. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Envelope) (N/M) (vm) (Entered: 07/24/2026)

#2

Jul 24, 2026

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by SANTOS CEBALLOS MELCHOR. (vm) (Entered: 07/24/2026)

#3

Jul 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 07/24/2026. (vm) (Entered: 07/24/2026)

#4

Jul 24, 2026

TEXT ORDER - Before the Court is Petitioner Santos Ceballos Melchor's ("Petitioner") Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus ("Petition") pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241, challenging his continued detention by immigration authorities without an individualized bond hearing (ECF No. 1 ) and Motion for Temporary Restraining Order ("TRO") (ECF No 2). Petitioner, a native of Guatemala, who entered the United States in 2002, contends he is unlawfully detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b). (See generally ECF No. 1 .) Based on this Court's statutory interpretation in Caiza Guevara v. Tsoukaris, No. 26-967 (JXN) and in Fuentes Velasquez v. Noem, No. 25-16797, 2025 WL 3653657 (D.N.J. Dec. 17, 2025), the Court finds the facts asserted in the Petition establish that Petitioner cannot be mandatorily detained under the plain text of § 1225(b)(1) or (b)(2), as he entered the country years ago and has been detained on the interior of the country. As such, his continued detention under that statute is unlawful. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that, subject to the following, Petitioner's Petition (ECF No. 1 ) is GRANTED and Respondents shall RELEASE Petitioner within twenty-four (24) hours of the entry of this Text Order, under the same conditions, if any, that existed prior to his detention. It is further ORDERED that Respondents shall return to Petitioner all personal property belonging to Petitioner - including but not limited to, any driver's license, passport, immigration documents, currency, or cellphone - that was seized at the time of detention. It is further ORDERED that Respondents are permanently enjoined from detaining Petitioner under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(1) or (b)(2) which the Court has found inapplicable to him. It is further ORDERED that Respondents shall not arrest, detain, or otherwise take Petitioner into custody under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) for a period of 14 days following his release, so as to ensure full effectuation of this Court's judgment and to prevent circumvention of the relief granted. It is further, ORDERED that the TRO Motion (ECF No. 2 ) is DISMISSED as moot. It is finally ORDERED that if Respondents contend that this matter is factually distinguishable from Caiza Guevara and Fuentes Velasquez, or if Petitioner has an undisclosed criminal history, they shall file an expedited answer to the Petition within three (3) days of the date of this Text Order, and Petitioner may file a reply within three (3) days of receipt of the expedited answer. Ordered by Judge Julien Xavier Neals on 7/24/2026. (kd) (Entered: 07/24/2026)

Jul 24, 2026

Order on Motion for TRO

Jul 24, 2026

Emergent Immigration Habeas Non-transfer Order

#5

Jul 26, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by FRANCES C. BAJADA on behalf of TODD BLANCHE, FIELD OFFICE DIRECTOR, MARKWAYNE MULLIN, DAVID VENTURELLA, WARDEN (BAJADA, FRANCES) (Entered: 07/26/2026)

#6

Jul 26, 2026

Letter from U.S. Attorney's Office informing of Petitioner's release. (BAJADA, FRANCES) (Entered: 07/26/2026)

Aug 03, 2026

Terminate Civil Case

Aug 03, 2026

Text Order