(HC) D.L.R.S. v. Warden of the Golden State Annex Detention Center operated by GEO Group, et al

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
KEVIN D.L.R.S.,
Petitioner,
v.
WARDEN OF THE GOLDEN STATE
ANNEX DETENTION CENTER operated
by GEO GROUP, et al.,
Respondents.
No. 1:25-cv-02055-TLN-AC
ORDER
This matter is before the Court on Petitioner Kevin D.L.R.S.’s1 (“Petitioner”) Ex Parte
Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”). (ECF No. 2.) For the reasons set forth
below, Petitioner’s motion is GRANTED in part. Petitioner’s request for a TRO is GRANTED
and Respondents are ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE why a preliminary injunction should not
issue.
///
1 As recommended by the Committee on Court Administration and Case Management of
the Judicial Conference of the United States, the Court omits Petitioner’s full name, using only
his first name and last initials, to protect sensitive personal information. See Memorandum Re:
Privacy Concern Regarding Social Security and Immigration Opinions, Committee on Court
Administration and Case Management, Judicial Conference of the United States (May 1, 2018),
https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/18-cv-l-suggestion_cacm_0.pdf. The Clerk of Court
is directed to update the docket to reflect this change accordingly.
Case 1:25-cv-02055-TLN-AC Document 5 Filed 12/30/25 Page 1 of 6

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I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND2
The instant action arises from Petitioner’s allegedly unlawful detention. (See ECF No. 2-
1.) Petitioner, his wife, and his children suffered gang-related violence in Guatemala, which
forced them to flee to the United States. (Id. at 3.) In Guatemala, Petitioner’s family was
targeted by a gang that had also targeted his brother-in-law and pressured him to join. (Id.) The
gang also shot at Petitioner’s house, injured his son’s leg in an attempt to forcibly recruit him, and
Petitioner himself was run over by a motorcycle and threatened with further violence if he did not
join the gang. (Id.) Petitioner fears the gang will kill his family. (Id.)
On May 20, 2023, Petitioner, his wife, and his children applied for admission to the
United States at the Ysleta Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas. (Id.) Petitioner was granted parole
under § 212(D)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”). (Id.) On the same day,
Petitioner was served with a Notice to Appear for removal proceedings before the Immigration
Judge, with his first appearance scheduled for July 17, 2023. (Id.) Petitioner has complied with
all scheduled immigration appearances and filed an application for asylum on November 22,
2023. (Id.)
Petitioner’s criminal history is limited to a single misdemeanor conviction for disturbing
the peace by loud noise. (Id. at 4.) Petitioner completed a one-year probation program, paid a
fine, and served two days in jail. (Id.)
On October 15, 2025, Petitioner was detained. (Id.) Since his detention, all three of his
children have suffered medical problems due to an inability to receive care without Petitioner’s
presence. (Id.) Petitioner is currently being held at the Golden State Annex in McFarlane,
California. (Id.) He has been held for two and a half months without a hearing. (Id.)
Petitioner’s next hearing is scheduled at the Adelanto Immigration Court on February 13, 2026 at
8:30 a.m. (Id.) Petitioner now challenges the legality of his detention and seeks immediate
release. (See id.)
///
2 The instant factual background is taken largely verbatim from Petitioner’s brief in support
of his motion for TRO. (ECF No. 2-1.)
Case 1:25-cv-02055-TLN-AC Document 5 Filed 12/30/25 Page 2 of 6

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II. STANDARD OF LAW
For a TRO, courts consider whether a petitioner has established “[1] that he is likely to
succeed on the merits, [2] that he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary
relief, [3] that the balance of equities tips in his favor, and [4] that an injunction is in the public
interest.” Winter v. Nat. Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008). Petitioner must “make a
showing on all four prongs” of the Winter test. Alliance for the Wild Rockies v. Cottrell, 632 F.3d
1127, 1135 (9th Cir. 2011). In evaluating a petitioner’s motion, a district court may weigh
petitioner’s showings on the Winter elements using a sliding-scale approach. Id. A stronger
showing on the balance of the hardships may support issuing a TRO even where the petitioner
shows that there are “serious questions on the merits . . . so long as the [petitioner] also shows
that there is a likelihood of irreparable injury and that the injunction is in the public interest.” Id.
Simply put, a petitioner must demonstrate, “that [if] serious questions going to the merits were
raised [then] the balance of hardships [must] tip[ ] sharply” in petitioner’s favor in order to
succeed in a request for a TRO. Id. at 1134–35.
III. ANALYSIS3
Petitioner argues he has a strong likelihood of success on the merits of his claims, he is
suffering irreparable harm, the balance of equities is in his favor, and the public interest is not
favored. (ECF No. 2-1 at 6–9.) The Court will consider each of these arguments in turn.
A. Likelihood of Success on the Merits
Petitioner argues he is likely to succeed on the merits of his INA § 236(a) claim
challenging his re-arrest and continued detention without a bond redetermination hearing. (ECF
No. 2-2 at 6.)
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3 The Court finds Petitioner has met the requirements for issuing a temporary restraining
order without notice. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b). Petitioner has filed the requisite affidavits and on
December 29, 2025, notified Respondents via email that he would be filing the motion. (ECF No.
2-2 ¶ 3.) See R.D.T.M. v. Wofford, No. 1:25-CV-01141-KES-SKO (HC), 2025 WL 2617255, at
*3 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 9, 2025) (similarly finding requirements for TRO were met without notice);
Pinchi v. Noem, No. 25-cv-05632-RML, 2025 WL 1853763, at *4 (N.D. Cal. July 4, 2025)
(same).
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INA § 236(a), or 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) (“§ 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). Under § 1226(a), the
Government has broad discretion whether to release or detain the individual. Id. Further, §
1226(a) provides several layers of review for an initial custody determination. Id. It 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.” Id. at 1202.
Here, the Court sees no reason not to believe Petitioner’s assertion that the Government
has failed to provide him with any notice, hearing, or individualized determination before a
neutral decisionmaker. (ECF No. 2-2 at 1, 6.) Petitioner is subject to § 1226(a) and is therefore
entitled to the process that statute requires, including a bond hearing at a minimum. Accordingly,
Petitioner is likely to succeed on the merits of his claim that Respondents have violated the INA
and improperly subjected him to mandatory detention without a hearing.
B. Irreparable Harm
Petitioner has also established he will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of a TRO.
The Ninth Circuit recognizes “irreparable harms imposed on anyone subject to immigration
detention,” including “the economic burdens imposed on detainees and their families as a result
of detention[.]” Hernandez, 872 F.3d at 995. Such harm is present here. Petitioner is currently
separated from his family, including his three children. Petitioner asserts that since his detention,
“all three of his children have suffered medical problems, including gastrointestinal issues and an
exacerbation of KBG syndrome, due to the inability to receive care without Petitioner’s
presence.” (ECF No. 2-2 at 4.) Additionally, “his oldest child’s mental health has worsened as a
result of the trauma caused by the gang violence that forced the family to flee Guatemala.” (Id.)
This factor is met.
C. Balance of Equities and Public Interest
As to the final two Winter factors, “[w]hen the government is a party, the analysis of the
balance of the hardships and the public interest merge.” Nat’l Urban League v. Ross, 484 F.
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Supp. 3d 802, 807 (N.D. Cal. 2020) (citing Drakes Bay Oyster Co. v. Jewell, 747 F.3d 1073, 1092
(9th Cir. 2014)). The Court finds these factors also favor Petitioner. The Court finds persuasive
Petitioner’s argument that the Government will suffer no substantial harm from a TRO requiring
Respondents to follow the law and provide statutorily mandated due process under 8 U.S.C. §
1226(a). (ECF No. 2-1 at 8.) The Court further agrees with Petitioner that the public interest
favors ensuring DHS adheres to statutory requirements to prevent an arbitrary deprivation of
liberty and preventing DHS from detaining individuals prior to an individualized determination of
risk. (Id.) Finally, “the Ninth Circuit has recognized that the costs to the public of immigration
detention are staggering.” Diaz v. Kaiser, No. 3:25-CV-05071, 2025 WL 1676854, at *3 (N.D.
Cal. June 14, 2025) (internal citation omitted).
In sum, these last two factors weigh in Petitioner’s favor. Therefore, the Court GRANTS
Petitioner’s motion for a TRO. (ECF No. 2.)
IV. CONCLUSION
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1. Petitioner’s Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (ECF No. 2) is GRANTED in part.
Petitioner’s request for a TRO is GRANTED. This Court will rule on the request for a
preliminary injunction following the Order to Show Cause described above;
2. Respondents must IMMEDIATELY RELEASE Petitioner Kevin A.D. from custody.
Respondents shall not impose any additional restrictions on him, unless such restrictions
are determined to be necessary at a future pre-deprivation/custody hearing.
3. Respondents are ENJOINED AND RESTRAINED from re-arresting or re-detaining
Petitioner absent compliance with constitutional protections, including seven-days’ notice
and a pre-deprivation/custody hearing before a neutral decisionmaker, where the
Government shall bear the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that
Petitioner poses a danger to the community or a flight risk, and Petitioner shall be allowed
to have his counsel present.
4. Respondents are ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE why this Court should not issue a
preliminary injunction continuing this Order. Respondents shall file responsive papers by
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Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Petitioner may file a reply, if any, by Monday, January 12,
2026. The parties shall indicate in their briefing whether they waive hearing. Fed. R.
Civ. P. 65(b)(3). The Court will consider any stipulation and proposed order filed by the
parties if they agree to a less demanding briefing schedule.
5. Petitioner is ORDERED to immediately serve this Temporary Restraining Order and
Order to Show Cause on Respondents at usacae.ecf2241-imm@usdoj.gov. Petitioner
shall file proof of such service no later than 9 a.m. on December 31, 2025.
6. Respondents are hereby notified of their right to apply to the Court for modification or
dissolution of the Temporary Restraining Order on two days’ notice to Petitioner. Fed. R.
Civ. P. 65(b)(4).
7. The bond requirement of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c) is waived. Courts
regularly waive security in cases like this one. See Diaz v. Brewer, 656 F.3d 1008, 1015
(9th Cir. 2011).
8. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to update the docket to only list Petitioner’s first name
and last initial.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Date: December 30, 2025
___________________________________
TROY L. NUNLEY
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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