Carlos G.C. v. Tonya Andrews, et al.

Opinion

CARLOS G.C.,1

Petitioner, No. 1 1:26-cv-00874-TLN-SCR A# 235-475-140 v. TONYA ANDREWS, et al., Respondents. This matter is before the Court on Petitioner’s Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. (ECF No. 1.) The Court previously granted Petitioner’s Motion for Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) and ordered his immediate release. (ECF No. 12.) The Court ordered Respondents to show cause why the Court should not grant the habeas petition and enter judgment in favor of Petitioner. (Id.) Respondents rested on the record. (ECF No. 11.) The Constitution guarantees the availability of the writ of habeas corpus “to every individual detained within the United States.” Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, 542 U.S. 507, 525 (2004) (citing U.S. Const., art. I, § 9, cl. 2). A writ of habeas corpus may be granted to a petitioner who

1 The Court omits Petitioner’s full name 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. demonstrates their custody violates the Constitution or federal law. 28 U.S.C. § 2241(c)(3). The district court’s habeas jurisdiction includes challenges to immigration detention. See Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678, 687 (2001). Petitioner is a noncitizen who entered the United States on February 16, 2022 on a B-2 visitor visa. (ECF No. 1.) Petitioner overstayed his visa and applied for adjustment of status. (Id.) Petitioner has no history of criminal convictions. (Id.) On October 6, 2025, Petitioner was apprehended at his interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and placed in detention by immigration authorities while living in the interior of the country. (Id.) Petitioner was detained without notice or a pre-deprivation hearing to determine if he poses a flight risk or danger to the community. (Id.) Petitioner claims his civil immigration detention violates the Fifth Amendment Due Process Clause. (Id.) Respondents argue Petitioner is subject to mandatory detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2) (“1225(b)(2)”). (ECF No. 11.) The Court finds Petitioner possesses a protected liberty interest and was denied the process necessary to ensure any deprivation of that interest accords with the Constitution. See Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U.S. 471, 481 (1972). The record in this case establishes that Petitioner developed a clear interest in his continued freedom protected by the Due Process Clause during the many years he lived freely in this country prior to his current detention. See Brayan C.C. v. Warden of California City Corr. Ctr., No. 2:26-CV-00641-TLN-JDP, 2026 WL 710358, at *2–3 (E.D. Cal. Mar. 13, 2026). Even if he is subject to removal or his freedom could be revoked by statute, that interest is still protected by the Due Process Clause. See Hernandez v. Sessions, 872 F.3d 976, 997 (9th Cir. 2017); Zadvydas, 533 U.S. at 693. Respondents’ argument as to the applicability of § 1226(b)(2) is unavailing as the Ninth Circuit has confirmed the government’s interpretation of the statute is incorrect. Rodriguez Vazquez v. Bostock, 2026 WL 2196424, at *3 (9th Cir. July 30, 2026). The mandatory detention scheme of § 1225(b)(2) applies only to noncitizens entering the United States at the border. Id. at *10. In contrast, individuals like Petitioner who are “present without admission who are apprehended in the interior of the United States,” are subject to discretionary detention under 8 US.C. § 1226(a) (“1226(a)”). Jd. at *3. Accordingly, the Court finds Petitioner maintains a clear interest in his continued liberty protected by the Due Process Clause. Upon consideration of the three factors set forth in Mathews v. Eldridge, the Court finds Petitioner was owed notice and a pre-deprivation hearing before a neutral decisionmaker to determine whether his detention is justified. 424 U.S. 319, 335 (1976); see Julio Fernando R.P. v. Andrews, No. 1:26-CV-05547-TLN-CSK, 2026 WL 2137758, at *2 (E.D. Cal. July 24, 2026) (analyzing the Mathews factors and finding similarly). Having received neither, Petitioner’s detention violates the Fifth Amendment Due Process Clause. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 1. The Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus is GRANTED. (ECF No. 1.) 2. Respondents are ENJOINED AND RESTRAINED from re-arresting or re- detaining Petitioner, while subject to 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), absent compliance with statutory and constitutional protections, including a minimum of seven-days’ notice and a pre-deprivation hearing before a neutral factfinder where Respondents demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the government’s interest in protecting the public or ensuring Petitioner appears at future immigration proceedings outweighs Petitioner’s constitutionally protected interest in remaining free from detention such that no alternative to detention can mitigate flight risk. See Zadvydas, 533 U.S. at 690; Hernandez, 872 F.3d at 990. At any such hearing, Petitioner shall be allowed to have counsel present. 3. The Clerk of Court shall enter judgment in favor of Petitioner and close this case. DATED: August 12, 2026 Troy L. Nunl Chief United States District Judge