Eastern District of Virginia • 1:25-cv-02261

#1

Dec 05, 2025

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number AVAEDC-10628407.), filed by Abel Castro Merida. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet)(Blessinger, Eileen) (Entered: 12/05/2025)

Dec 05, 2025

Initial Case Assignment to District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema and Magistrate Judge Ivan D. Davis. (Sbro, )

#2

Dec 08, 2025

ORDERED that petitioner IS NOT to be removed or transferred from this district for any reason without this Court's permission; and it is further ORDERED that on or before 5:00 PM on Friday, December 12, 2025, the federal respondents file either a Notice indicating that the factual and legal issues presented in thisPetition do not differ in any material fashion from those presented in Ceba Cinta v. Noem. et al., 1:25-cv-1818 (E.D. Va.), or an Opposition to the Petition discussing the material differences between Ceba Cina and this Petition; and it is further ORDERED that if the federal respondents file a Notice that there are no material differences between this Petition and Ceba Cinta, each of the substantive filings in that habeas proceeding will be incorporated into this habeas proceeding, and this Court will issue a ruling without further filings from the parties; and it is further ORDERED that if the federal respondents file an Opposition to the Petition, petitioner shall file any reply in further support of the Petition on or before 5:00 PM on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 12/8/2025. (swil) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

#3

Dec 12, 2025

Motion to appear Pro Hac Vice by Sarah L. Vuong and Certification of Local Counsel Eileen Blessinger Filing fee $ 75, receipt number AVAEDC-10643532. by Abel Castro Merida. (Blessinger, Eileen) (Entered: 12/12/2025)

Dec 12, 2025

Notice of Correction re 3 Motion to appear Pro Hac Vice by Sarah L. Vuong and Certification of Local Counsel Eileen Blessinger Filing fee $ 75, receipt number AVAEDC-10643532. The filing user is notified that the application was filed with no signatures and the incorrect case number. Please refile a corrected application. (swil)

#4

Dec 15, 2025

NOTICE of Appearance by Christian James Cooper on behalf of Pamela Bondi, Russell Hott, Kristi Noem (Cooper, Christian) (Entered: 12/15/2025)

#5

Dec 15, 2025

MOTION for Extension of time (nunc pro tunc) to file Notice or Response to the Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by Pamela Bondi, Russell Hott, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Cooper, Christian) (Entered: 12/15/2025)

#6

Dec 15, 2025

Waiver of re 5 MOTION for Extension of time (nunc pro tunc) to file Notice or Response to the Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus (Waiver of Hearing) by Pamela Bondi, Russell Hott, Kristi Noem (Cooper, Christian) (Entered: 12/15/2025)

#7

Dec 15, 2025

NOTICE by Pamela Bondi, Russell Hott, Kristi Noem re 2 Order,,,, (Cooper, Christian) (Entered: 12/15/2025)

#8

Dec 15, 2025

ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED; it is further ORDERED that Federal Respondents shall file their response to the Petition on or before 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16,2025 re 5 Motion for Extension of Time to File. Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 12/15/2025. (Sbro, ) (Entered: 12/15/2025)

#9

Dec 15, 2025

Amended Motion to appear Pro Hac Vice by Sarah L. Vuong and Certification of Local Counsel Eileen Blessinger by Abel Castro Merida. (Blessinger, Eileen) (Entered: 12/15/2025)

#10

Dec 15, 2025

ORDER granting 9 Motion for Pro hac vice Appointed Sarah Lake Vuong for Abel Castro Merida. Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 12/15/2025. (swil) (Entered: 12/15/2025)

#11

Dec 15, 2025

ORDERED Castro's Petition [Dkt. No. 1] is GRANTED, and it is hereby ORDERED that Castro be promptly released from custody, with all his personal property. pending his bond hearing before an Immigration Judge. Castro must live at a fixed address which he must provide to the federal respondents; and it is further ORDERED that respondents provide Castro with a standard bond hearing before an Immigration Judge pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) within 14 days of the date of this Order; and it is further ORDERED that respondents be and are ENJOINED from denying bond to Castro on the basis that he is detained pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2) (See Order for further details). Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 12/15/2025. (Sbro, ) (Entered: 12/16/2025)

#12

Dec 15, 2025

JUDGMENT is hereby entered in favor of Petitioner Abel Castro Merida and against Respondents Pamela Bondi, Russell Hott, Jeff Crawford, Kristi Noem Pursuant to the Order of this Court entered on December 15, 2025 and in accordance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 58. Signed by Clerk on 12/15/2025. (Sbro, ) (Entered: 12/16/2025)

Dec 15, 2025

Notice of Correction: The filing user is notified to file a notice of waiver or notice of hearing re 5 MOTION for Extension of time (nunc pro tunc) to file Notice or Response to the Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus (Sbro, )

#13

Dec 18, 2025

STATUS REPORT by Pamela Bondi, Russell Hott, Kristi Noem. (Barghaan, Dennis) (Entered: 12/18/2025)