Case Name in Immigration Case - Unavailable

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
RAFAEL ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ
PRIETO,
Petitioner,
vs.
PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General,
et al.,
Respondents.
0:26-CV-604
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. He contends his detention is unlawful because he was denied 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 8.
The briefing demonstrates that the petitioners' application for the writ
only presents issue of law—and the government concedes this point, see filing
8 at 46—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). The government shall immediately return the petitioner to the state
of Minnesota1 and release him from custody.
1 Although the petitioner has been moved to El Paso, Texas in violation of the Court's previous
order (filing 5), a district court retains jurisdiction over a properly-filed habeas petition if the
petitioner is later moved. Ex parte Endo, 323 U.S. 283, 307 (1944).
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2
IT IS ORDERED:
1. The Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (filing 1) is granted.
2. The government shall immediately return the petitioner to
the District of Minnesota.
3. After returning the petitioner to Minnesota, the government
shall immediately release him from custody.
4. No later than January 30, 2026, the government shall file
a status report certifying compliance with this Order.
LET JUDGMENT BE ENTERED ACCORDINGLY.
Dated this 28th day of January, 2026.
BY THE COURT:
John M. Gerrard
Senior United States District Judge
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