Case Name in Immigration Case - Unavailable

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26-cv-1576-JES-MSB
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
MANOUK BAGHDASARYAN,
Petitioner,
v.
PAMELA BONDI, U.S. Attorney
General; KRISTI NOEM, Secretary of
DHS; TOD LYONS, Director of ICE; and
CHRISTOPHER LAROSE, Warden of
Otay Mesa Detention Center,
Respondents.
Case No.: 26-cv-1576-JES-MSB
ORDER CONDITIONALLY
GRANTING MOTION TO APPOINT
COUNSEL
[ECF No. 2]
Before the Court is Petitioner Manouk Baghdasaryan’s Petition for Writ of Habeas
Corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (“Petition”), motion to appoint counsel, and motion
for a temporary restraining order. ECF Nos. 1, 2, 3.
Considering the complexity and potential validity of the constitutional, statutory,
and procedural issues presented in this matter, the Court finds that representation will serve
the interests of justice. 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B); Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954
(9th Cir. 1983). Accordingly, the Court hereby GRANTS Petitioner’s motion for
appointment of counsel and CONDITIONALLY APPOINTS Federal Defenders of San
Diego, Inc., as counsel, effective immediately. The Court ORDERS Petitioner to submit a
form CJA 23 financial affidavit by Monday, March 23, 2026 to demonstrate his financial
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26-cv-1576-JES-MSB
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eligibility. See 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(b); Terrovona v. Kincheloe, 912 F.2d 1176, 1181–82
(9th Cir. 1990). If Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., determines that Petitioner is not
financially eligible for appointed counsel, or that it does not have the capability to represent
him, Federal Defenders of San Diegos, Inc., shall notify Petitioner and file notice with this
Court by Monday, March 23, 2026. If Federal Defenders choose to accept representation,
Petitioner may file an amended Petition no later than Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
To preserve the Court’s jurisdiction pending a ruling in this matter, Petitioner shall
not be removed from this District unless and until the Court orders otherwise. See Doe v.
Bondi, Case. No. 25-cv-805-BJC-JLB, 2025 WL 1870979 at *2 (S.D. Cal. June 11, 2025)
(“Federal courts retain jurisdiction to preserve the status quo while determining whether it
has subject matter jurisdiction over a case and while a petition is pending resolution from
the court.”) (citing cases); A.M. v. LaRose et al., 25-cv-01412, ECF No. 2 (S.D. Cal. June
4, 2025) (“Pursuant to Petitioner’s request for a Temporary restraining order, the Court
hereby (1) RESTRAINS and ENJOINS Respondents, their agents, employees, successors,
attorneys, and all persons in active concert and participation with them, from removing
Petitioner A.M. from the United States or this District pending further order of this Court”);
see also A.A.R.P v. Trump, 605 U.S. 91, 97 (2025) (Federal courts have “the power to issue
injunctive relief to prevent irreparable harm to the applicant and to preserve [] jurisdiction
over the matter.”); Nguyen v. Scott, No. 2:25-CV-01398, 2025 WL 2097979, at *3 (W.D.
Wash. July 25, 2025) (enjoining the Respondents from removing Petitioner without
approval from the court).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: March 16, 2026
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