Eastern District of Virginia • 1:26-cv-02697

#1

Aug 20, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number AVAEDC-11262991.), filed by Alejandro Mejia Lopez. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit)(He, Yue) (Entered: 08/20/2026)

Aug 20, 2026

Initial Case Assignment to District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema and US Magistrate Judge William B. Porter. (dvanm)

#2

Aug 21, 2026

ORDERED that respondents be and are ENJOINED from removing or transferring petitioner from this district for any reason without this Court's permission. ORDERED that on or before 9:00 AM on Monday, August 24, 2026, respondents SHOWCAUSE as to why petitioner should not be released by 3:00 pm on Monday, August 24, 2026, to ensure that he can appear in North Carolina for his biometrics appointment with USCIS (see Order for details). Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 8/21/2026. (kgall) (Entered: 08/21/2026)

#3

Aug 24, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Dennis Carl Barghaan, Jr on behalf of Todd Blanche, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Donnovan Wright (Barghaan, Dennis) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

#4

Aug 24, 2026

Response to 2 ORDER, filed by Todd Blanche, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Donnovan Wright. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits A-D)(Barghaan, Dennis) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

#5

Aug 24, 2026

Response (CORRECTED) to 2 ORDER, filed by Todd Blanche, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Donnovan Wright. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits A-D)(Barghaan, Dennis) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

#6

Aug 24, 2026

ORDERED that the federal respondents' request is GRANTED. ORDERED that the portion of the Court's August 12, 2026, Order requiring the federal respondents to show cause as to why petitioner should not be released to ensure that he can appear in North Carolina for his biometrics appointment with USCIS has been satisfied because petitioners appointment has now been cancelled; however, the remainder of the Court's August 12, 2026, Order remains in place. ORDERED that the federal respondents file their response to the remaining arguments in Meija Lopez's Petition by close of business on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 8/24/2026. (kgall) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

#7

Aug 27, 2026

MOTION for One-Day Enlargement of Time as to 6 ORDER by Todd Blanche, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Donnovan Wright. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Barghaan, Dennis) (Entered: 08/27/2026)

#8

Aug 27, 2026

ORDER granting 7 Motion for Extension of Time. ORDERED that on or before August 28, 2026, the federal respondents shall respond to the substance of the petition for habeas corpus in the above-referenced matter. Signed by District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on 8/27/2026. (kgall) (Entered: 08/27/2026)

#9

Aug 28, 2026

Supplemental Response to 6 ORDER, filed by Todd Blanche, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Donnovan Wright. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits E-F)(Barghaan, Dennis) (Entered: 08/28/2026)