Case Name in Immigration Case - Unavailable

26-cv-894
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
ERROL GEORGE HUNTER,
Petitioner,
v.
PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General,
United States Department of Justice;
KRISTI NOEM, Secretary, United States
Department of Homeland Security;
TODD LYONS, Acting Director,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
and CHRISTOPHER LAROSE, Warden,
Otay Mesa Detention Center,
Respondents.
Case No.: 3:26-cv-00894-BTM-VET
ORDER (1) TO SHOW CAUSE;
(2) GRANTING MOTION TO
APPOINT COUNSEL; (3)
ENJOINING REMOVAL FROM
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT; AND
(4) DENYING AS MOOT
TEMPORARY RESTRAINING
ORDER
[ECF NOS. 2 & 3]
Errol George Hunter petitioned the Court for a writ of habeas corpus on February
11, 2026. (ECF No. 1.) Hunter also filed a motion to appoint counsel and a motion for a
temporary restraining order to prevent the Respondents from removing him from Otay
Mesa Detention Center before his habeas petition is adjudicated. (ECF Nos. 2 & 3). After
reviewing the petition, the Court concludes that dismissal of his petition without briefing
is unwarranted. Accordingly, the Court orders as follows.
First, the Court orders the Respondents to show cause why the petition should not
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26-cv-894
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be granted. The Respondents must file a return no later than March 2, 2026. Hunter may
file a traverse no later than March 9, 2026. The Court will consider the matter on the papers
unless otherwise ordered.
Second, the Court grants the motion to appoint counsel. 	The Court appoints the
Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., to represent Hunter in this case. 	The Court finds
that the interests of justice require that Hunter, who seeks relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2241,
receive representation.
Third, the Respondents are enjoined from removing Hunter from the Southern
District of California until the petition is decided. 	See 28 U.S.C. § 1651 (“[A]ll courts
established by Act of Congress may issue all writs necessary or appropriate in aid of their
respective jurisdictions . . . .”).
Fourth, because the Court has enjoined the Respondents from removing Hunter, his
motion for a temporary restraining order requesting the same relief is denied as moot.
(ECF No. 3).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: February 19, 2026
___________________________
Honorable Barry Ted Moskowitz
United States District Judge
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