0:26-cv-01312•Case Name in Immigration Case - Unavailable
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA ANGEL ROGELIO ANDRADE SUQUILANDA, Petitioner, vs. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General, United States Department of Justice, et al., Respondents. 0:26-CV-1312 MEMORANDUM AND ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS The petitioner is a noncitizen currently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), seeking a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241. The petitioner contends their detention is unlawful due to denial of a bond hearing pursuant to 8 C.F.R. §§ 236.1(d)(1) and 1236.1(d)(1). See filing 1. The government responds that detention is mandatory, not discretionary, and the petitioner is not eligible to be released. See filing 5. The briefing demonstrates that the petitioner's application for the writ only presents issues of law—and the government does not dispute this point, having been directed to address it, see filing 3 at 2; filing 5—so the Court declines to hold a hearing. See § 2243. The Court will grant the petition for the reasons thoroughly articulated by this Court in Velasco Hurtado v. Bondi, No. 0:26-CV-546, 2026 WL 184884 (D. Minn. Jan. 24, 2026).1 1 A petitioner seeking release from immigration detention shall be awarded costs and reasonable attorney's fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), unless the Court finds that the government's position was substantially justified or CASE 0:26-cv-01312-JMG-DLM Doc. 6 Filed 02/11/26 Page 1 of 3
2 As a fallback position, the government argues that even if the petitioner falls under § 1226(a), the appropriate relief is a bond hearing and not outright release, because the petitioner is subject to an administrative arrest warrant. See filing 5; filing 5-1. But the government does not dispute that the petitioner was detained upon his arrival in the United States in 2023, and released on recognizance. Filing 1 at 11-12. The government has provided no evidence that an immigration officer exercised discretion to revoke the petitioner's release, or conducted a custody redetermination until after arresting him. Accordingly, for the reasons explained in Duarte Salazar v. Noem, No. 26-cv-1040, slip. op. at 2-3 (D. Minn. Feb. 11, 2026), the Court finds that the government's administrative warrant does not justify revoking the petitioner's prior release on recognizance, and that outright release from his present confinement is the appropriate remedy. The government shall immediately—if necessary—return the petitioner to the state of Minnesota and release the petitioner from custody. IT IS ORDERED: 1. The Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (filing 1) is granted. that special circumstances make an award unjust. See Michelin v. Warden Moshannon Valley Corr. Ctr., No. 24-2990, 2026 WL 263483 (3d Cir. Feb. 2, 2026); see also, e.g., Yeferson G.C. v. Easterwood, No. 25-CV-4814, 2026 WL 207266, at *3 (D. Minn. Jan. 21), report and recommendation adopted, 2026 WL 209825 (D. Minn. Jan. 27, 2026); Mairena-Munguia v. Arnott, No. 25-CV-3318, 2025 WL 3229132, at *5 (W.D. Mo. Nov. 19, 2025); cf. Bah v. Cangemi, 548 F.3d 680 (8th Cir. 2008) (evaluating the merits of immigration habeas petitioner's EAJA claim). Any motion for costs and fees pursuant to the EAJA in this case should be filed within 30 days of the entry of judgment. See § 2412(d)(1)(B). CASE 0:26-cv-01312-JMG-DLM Doc. 6 Filed 02/11/26 Page 2 of 3
3 2. The government shall, if necessary, immediately return the petitioner to the District of Minnesota. 3. When the petitioner is in Minnesota, the government shall immediately release the petitioner from custody with no new conditions, and shall return any personal property seized from the petitioner when detained. 4. No later than February 13, 2026, the government shall file a status report certifying compliance with this Order. LET JUDGMENT BE ENTERED ACCORDINGLY. Dated this 11th day of February, 2026. BY THE COURT: John M. Gerrard Senior United States District Judge CASE 0:26-cv-01312-JMG-DLM Doc. 6 Filed 02/11/26 Page 3 of 3
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