Eastern District of Virginia • 1:26-cv-02281

#1

Jul 27, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number AVAEDC-11183731.), filed by Nikson Rafael Gomez Benitez. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(He, Yue) (Entered: 07/27/2026)

Jul 27, 2026

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

#2

Jul 28, 2026

ORDERED that respondents be and are ENJOINED from removing or transferring petitioner from this district for any reason without this Court's permission; and it is further ORDERED that on or before 5:00 PM on August 3, 2026, respondents file either a Notice indicating that the factual and legal issues presented in this Petition 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 Cinta and this Petition; and it is further ORDERED that if 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 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 August 7, 2026. Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 7/28/2026. SEE ORDER FOR FURTHER DETAILS. (Jarb, ) (Entered: 07/28/2026)

#3

Jul 28, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Christian James Cooper on behalf of Todd Blanche, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Donnovan Wright (Cooper, Christian) (Entered: 07/28/2026)

#4

Jul 28, 2026

NOTICE by Todd Blanche, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Donnovan Wright re 2 Order of Prisoner Service (2241),,,, (Cooper, Christian) (Entered: 07/28/2026)

#5

Jul 28, 2026

ORDER that Gomez Benitez's Petition, [Dkt. No. 1], is GRANTED, and it is hereby ORDERED that Gomez Benitez be promptly released from custody, with all his personal property, in order to appear at a bond hearing before an Immigration Judge; and it is further ORDERED that Gomez Benitez live at a fixed address which he must provide to the federal respondents; and it is further ORDERED that respondents provide Gomez Benitez with an individualized 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 Gomez Benitez on the basis that he is detained pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2). Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 07/28/2026. See Order for further details. (triv) (Entered: 07/28/2026)

#6

Jul 28, 2026

CLERK'S JUDGMENT entered in favor of Petitioner, Nikson Rafael Gomez Benitez, in accordance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 58. Signed by Clerk on 07/28/2026. (triv) (Entered: 07/28/2026)