District of Puerto Rico • 3:26-cv-01545

#1

Aug 21, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number APRDC-9596770.), filed by Edgard A Bravo-Granados. Service due by 11/20/2026, (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Category Sheet Category Sheet, # 3 Summons Summons, # 4 Exhibit Marriage Cert, # 5 Exhibit Birth Cert USC)(Sanchez-Maceira, Raymond) (Entered: 08/21/2026)

#2

Aug 21, 2026

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order PREVENTING TRANSFER OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO filed by Raymond L. Sanchez-Maceira on behalf of Edgard A Bravo-Granados. Responses due by 9/4/2026. NOTE: Pursuant to FRCP 6(a) an additional three days does not apply to service done electronically. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Sanchez-Maceira, Raymond) (Entered: 08/21/2026)

#3

Aug 22, 2026

NOTICE OF JUDGE ASSIGNMENT: Case has been assigned to Judge Judge Camille L. Velez-Rive. (gr) (Entered: 08/22/2026)

#4

Aug 22, 2026

ORDER granting 2 Motion for TRO. Petitioner asks this Court to enter an order prohibiting Respondents from transferring Petitioner outside of the District of Puerto Rico in support of his Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) "provides the general process for arresting and detaining [noncitizens] who are present in the United States and eligible for removal." Rodriguez Diaz v. Garland, 53 F.4th 1189, 1196 (9th Cir. 2022). Section 1226(a) provides the Government broad discretion whether to release or detain the individual and it provides several layers of review for an initial custody determination. Id. Section 1226(a) therefore establishes a discretionary detention framework for noncitizens. Guerrero Orellana v. Moniz, __ F.4th __, 2026 WL 2352042, at *1 (1st Cir. Aug. 13, 2026). Where removal and detention of a noncitizen is discretionary, rather than mandatory, Section 1226(a) also confers "an initial bond hearing before a neutral decisionmaker, the opportunity to be represented by counsel and to present evidence, the right to appeal, and the right to seek a new hearing when circumstances materially change." Rodriguez Diaz v. Garland, 53 F.4th at 1202; see also Doe v. Tompkins, 11 F.4th 1, 2 (1st Cir. 2021) (holding that the Government bears the burden of proving at an initial bond hearing held under Section 1226(a) that (1) a noncitizen poses a danger to the community, or (2) the noncitizen poses a flight risk). Petitioner's Writ of Habeas Corpus states that he entered the United States on February 10, 2026, was inspected and admitted and has been living in the United States since then. Petitioner, a Venezuelan national, married a US citizen on December 14, 2024 and thus qualifies for adjustment status in the United States even after overstaying his visa. Petitioner was arrested on August 20, 2026 during an enforcement operation without a hearing or any meaningful opportunity to contest the grounds of his detention. Petitioner's residence in the United States before his detention strongly suggests that Section 1226(a), rather than Section 1225(b)(2), governs his detention. Given that Section 1226(a) governs detention for noncitizens who were "arrested and detained" while residing in the United States, interpreting Section 1225(b)(2) to apply to this same category would render it and amendments under the Laken Riley Act superfluous. See Guerrero-Orrellana, 2026 WL 2352042, at *11-15 (outlining statutory interpretation of Section 1226(a) and Section 1225(b)(2) that demonstrates that an arrest and detention of noncitizens residing in the United States cannot fall under Section 1225(b)(2)(A)). Such an interpretation would also conflict with the INA's structural distinction between arriving applicants for admission and noncitizens already present in the United States and arrested within the country. Id. Thus, at this preliminary stage, based on the allegations currently before the Court, Petitioner has demonstrated a substantial likelihood of establishing that Section 1226(a)'s discretionary detention framework governs his detention. This Court is bound by the First Circuit, which recently rejected the Matter of Yajure Hurtado's 29 I. & N. Dec. 216 (BIA 2025) interpretation by joining the majority of Courts of Appeals that have considered the issue and decided there is a right to a bond hearing under circumstances akin to those of Petitioner. See Guerrero-Orrellana, 2026 WL 2352042, at *11. Accordingly, the Court finds that the issuance of a temporary restraining order is warranted. If the facts alleged in the instant petition are true, in the absence of relief, Petitioner may suffer the irreparable harm of being denied meaningful engagement with counsel and the opportunity to contest his detention at a bail hearing. See San Juan Cable LLC v. Telecommunications Regulatory Bd. of Puerto Rico, 598 F. Supp. 2d 233 (D.P.R. 2009) (a party moving for temporary restraining order bears the burden to show: (1) a substantial likelihood of success on the merits; (2) a significant risk that it will suffer irreparable harm; (3) the harm it will suffer outweighs any harm that injunctive relief will cause to the defendants; and (4) the public interest weighs in favor of injunctive relief). Therefore, the Court ORDERS that the Government shall not transfer Petitioner outside of Puerto Rico during the pendency of this case. The Court further ORDERS Petitioner to effect service on Respondents immediately and certify compliance to the Court. Respondents shall SHOW CAUSE by response and supporting memorandum why a writ of habeas corpus should not be granted by August 27, 2026. Signed by Judge Camille L. Velez-Rive on 08/22/2026. (CVR) Modified on 8/24/2026 to correct typo (clv). (Entered: 08/22/2026)

Aug 22, 2026

Notice of Judge Assignment

Aug 22, 2026

Order on Motion for TRO

#5

Aug 24, 2026

Summons Issued as to Todd Blanche, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Garrett J. Ripa. Note: Counsel must print all summonses and follow the service requirements set forth by the Rules of Civil Procedure. Electronic issuance of summonses should not be construed as authorizing electronic service. (rom) (Entered: 08/24/2026)

#6

Aug 25, 2026

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Edgard A Bravo-Granados upon Todd Blanche served on 8/25/2026, answer due 10/26/2026; Todd Lyons served on 8/25/2026, answer due 10/26/2026; Markwayne Mullin served on 8/25/2026, answer due 10/26/2026; Garrett J. Ripa served on 8/25/2026, answer due 10/26/2026. (Sanchez-Maceira, Raymond) (Entered: 08/25/2026)

#7

Aug 26, 2026

RESPONSE to Motion filed by Todd Blanche, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Garrett J. Ripa Re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, filed by Edgard A Bravo-Granados filed by Todd Blanche, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Garrett J. Ripa. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit NTA, # 2 Exhibit Bond Hearing Notice)(Acevedo-Roman, Priscila) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

#8

Aug 26, 2026

REPLY to Motion filed by Edgard A Bravo-Granados Re: 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order PREVENTING TRANSFER OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO filed by Edgard A Bravo-Granados filed by Edgard A Bravo-Granados. (Sanchez-Maceira, Raymond) (Entered: 08/26/2026)

#9

Aug 27, 2026

ORDER. Petitioner shall inform by NOON TODAY whether the bail hearing was held today as scheduled and its outcome. If the bail hearing was held, Petitioner shall inform as well whether this case has become moot. Signed by Judge Camille L. Velez-Rive on 08/27/2026. (CVR) (Entered: 08/27/2026)

#10

Aug 27, 2026

MOTION requesting Order filed by Priscila M. Acevedo-Roman on behalf of Todd Blanche, Todd Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Garrett J. Ripa. Responses due by 9/10/2026. NOTE: Pursuant to FRCP 6(a) an additional three days does not apply to service done electronically. (Acevedo-Roman, Priscila) (Entered: 08/27/2026)

#11

Aug 27, 2026

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal and Response to "material mischaracterization" allegations by Edgard A Bravo-Granados (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Bond Grant Bravo) (Sanchez-Maceira, Raymond) (Entered: 08/27/2026)

#12

Aug 27, 2026

JUDGMENT. This case is dismissed with prejudice, pursuant toFed.R.Civ.P. 41(a)(2). Each party shall bare its own costs and attorney's fees. Signed by Judge Camille L. Velez-Rive on 8/27/2026.(ari) (Entered: 08/27/2026)

Aug 27, 2026

Order