Alejo Juarez Ruiz (A# 072-985-450) v. Christopher Chestnut, et al.

Opinion

ALEJO JUAREZ RUIZ (A# 072-985-450), No. 1:26-cv-01700 DJC SCR Petitioner, v. ORDER CHRISTOPHER CHESTNUT, et al., Respondents. Petitioner, an immigration detainee who is representing himself, filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 along with a motion to appoint counsel. ECF Nos. 1, 2. Respondents have answered the petition. ECF No. 7. In light of the complexity of the legal issues involved, as well as the representations petitioner makes regarding inadequate medical care for his diabetes and heart condition (ECF No. 9), the court has determined that the interests of justice require the appointment of counsel. See 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B); see also Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983). Within seven days from the date of this order, the appointing authority for the Eastern District of California shall identify counsel and send counsel’s contact information to Shelly Her, Courtroom Deputy for Magistrate Judge Sean Riordan via email at sher@caed.uscourts.gov who shall update the docket to reflect counsel’s appointment. If counsel is not a member of the Eastern District of California Criminal Justice Act (“CJA”) Panel, the court hereby authorizes them to serve as pro hac vice CJA counsel for petitioner for the duration of the proceedings in this court pursuant to Local Rule 180(b)(1) nunc pro tunc to the date the appointing authority first contacted counsel about this appointment. If counsel is not admitted to practice before the Eastern District of California court, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 3005 and 3006A and this District’s CJA Plan, General Order 671, § XV.C.1.g as applied here, the court hereby authorizes said counsel’s pro hac vice admission to practice before this court for the duration of the proceedings, nunc pro tunc to the date the appointing authority first contacted counsel about this appointment. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. Petitioner’s motion for appointment of counsel (ECF No. 2) is GRANTED. 2. Within seven days from the date of this order, the appointing authority for the Eastern District of California shall identify counsel and send counsel’s contact information to Shelly Her, Courtroom Deputy for Magistrate Judge Sean Riordan via email at sher@caed.uscourts.gov who shall update the docket to reflect counsel’s appointment. 3. The Clerk of the Court shall serve a copy of this order on the Federal Defender, Attention: Habeas Appointment, along with a copy of the § 2241 petition. 4. Based on the appointment of counsel, the court sua sponte grants petitioner leave to file an amended § 2241 petition within 21 days from the date of this order. Within 7 days from petitioner’s filing, respondent shall file either an amended answer/return or a notice indicating that they will stand on the previously filed motion to dismiss. Petitioner shall have 3 days from the date of respondent’s answer/return or notice to file a reply. If the parties agree on a different briefing schedule, they may submit a joint proposed order to the court based on their stipulation. DATED: April 20, 2026

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE