(HC) Abduvakhidov v. Warden, Golden State Annex Detention Facility, et al.

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
MUKHAMADII ABDUVAKHIDOV,
Petitioner,
v.
WARDEN, GOLDEN STATE ANNEX
DETENTION FACILITY, et al.,
Respondents.
Case No. 1:25-cv-01060-EPG-HC
ORDER AUTHORIZING IN FORMA
PAUPERIS STATUS
ORDER APPOINTING COUNSEL FOR
PETITIONER
ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT
TO SERVE DOCUMENTS
ORDER DIRECTING PARTIES TO FILE
JOINT STATEMENT
Petitioner is an immigration detainee proceeding with a petition for a writ of habeas
corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241.
On August 22, 2025, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus, asserting that
his prolonged detention without a bond hearing violates his right to procedural due process.
(ECF No. 1.) On October 24, 2025, Respondents filed an answer. (ECF No. 13.) The Court
ordered the parties to file supplemental briefs given that it appeared Petitioner’s removal order
became administratively final and Petitioner’s detention authority had shifted from § 1225(b) to
§ 1231. (ECF No. 14.) On February 9, 2026, Respondents filed a supplemental brief, confirming
that on December 1, 2025, the Board of Immigration Appeals dismissed DHS’s appeal of the
grant of withholding of removal and noting that “the detention authority shifted to 8 U.S.C. §
1231(a)(2)(A), mandatory detention during the removal period. Petitioner will remain subject to
Case 1:25-cv-01060-EPG Document 20 Filed 02/19/26 Page 1 of 3

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this mandatory detention provision until March 1, 2026, under the terms of the statute.” (ECF
No. 15 at 1.) That same day, Petitioner filed a motion for temporary restraining order. (ECF No.
16.)
Based on the length of time in which Petitioner has been in immigration detention, the
Court hereby authorizes petitioner to proceed in forma pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915.
There currently exists no absolute right to appointment of counsel in habeas proceedings.
See, e.g., Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986); Anderson v. Heinze, 258 F.2d
479, 481 (9th Cir. 1958). However, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B) authorizes the appointment of
counsel at any stage of the proceeding for financially eligible persons if “the interests of justice
so require.” To determine whether to appoint counsel, the “court must evaluate the likelihood of
success on the merits as well as the ability of the petitioner to articulate his claims pro se in light
of the complexity of the legal issues involved.” Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir.
1983). In light of the apparent shift in authority for Petitioner’s detention, the Court finds that the
interests of justice would be served by the appointment of counsel given the complexity of the
legal issues involved.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, Petitioner is HEREBY AUTHORIZED to proceed in
forma pauperis;
2. Counsel is APPOINTED for Petitioner;
3. The Clerk of the Court shall serve a copy of this order and a copy of the petition, via
email, on the Federal Defender’s Office at cae_appointments_habeas@fd.org;
4. Within seven (7) days of the date of service of this order, the Federal Defender, as
appointing authority for the Eastern District of California, SHALL identify counsel and
send counsel’s contact information to the undersigned’s courtroom deputy Felicia
Navarro at FNavarro@caed.uscourts.gov, and counsel will be added as counsel for
Petitioner;
5. Such appointment, as necessary, will be pro hac vice to the CJA Panel and to this District
in this matter only;
Case 1:25-cv-01060-EPG Document 20 Filed 02/19/26 Page 2 of 3

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6. This appointment will be nunc pro tunc to the Federal Defender contacting counsel about
this appointment on a date given to the courtroom deputy; and
7. Within fourteen (14) days of the date of service of this order, counsel for Petitioner shall
meet and confer with opposing counsel and the parties shall file a joint statement
regarding case management and a proposed briefing schedule.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: February 19, 2026 /s/
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Case 1:25-cv-01060-EPG Document 20 Filed 02/19/26 Page 3 of 3