IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
GURBHEJ SINGH,
Petitioner,
v. No. 1:26-cv-01594-SMD-LF
MARKWAYNE MULLIN,1 et al.,
Respondents.
ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
THIS MATTER is before the Court on Petitioner’s Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241. Doc. 1. The Court has reviewed the parties’ submissions, the record, and the relevant law, and for the reasons set forth below, the Petition is GRANTED. BACKGROUND Petitioner Gurbhej Singh, a citizen of India, is currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) at the Torrance County Detention Center in Estancia, New Mexico. Doc. 1 ¶¶ 1, 17. Petitioner first entered the United States without inspection on May 13, 2023. Id. ¶ 2. Customs and Border Patrol (“CBP”) detained him soon after his arrival and subsequently released him on his own recognizance. Id. CBP also issued a notice to appear and placed Petitioner in removal proceedings. Id. Over the past three years, Petitioner has built a life in the United States alongside his wife. Id. ¶ 3. He obtained work authorization, filed for asylum, and gave birth to a child, who is now three years old and a U.S. citizen. Id. On January 15, 2026, ICE agents awoke Petitioner while he was sleeping in the cab of his truck. Id. ¶ 4. ICE concluded that Petitioner is not a lawful resident and immediately placed him
1 Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25(d), the case caption shall be updated to reflect that Markwayne Mullin is the Secretary of Homeland Security. All future filings should be in the name of the substituted party. in custody. Id. He has remained in detention since. Id. ¶ 43. Petitioner has no known criminal history nor of noncompliance with immigration orders issued against him. Petitioner alleges that his continued detention violates, inter alia, his Fifth Amendment Due Process Rights and seeks release from detention. Id. ¶¶ 56–59. Respondents do not dispute any of the above-stated facts. Doc. 5.
DISCUSSION This Court has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 to consider habeas challenges to immigration detention. Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678, 687 (2001). A district court may grant a writ of habeas corpus to a petitioner who demonstrates that “[h]e is in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws . . . of the United States.” 28 U.S.C. § 2241(c)(3). I. Statutory Framework: 8 U.S.C. §§ 1225 and 1226 Sections 1225 and 1226 govern the detention of noncitizens prior to a final order of removal. See Jennings v. Rodriguez, 583 U.S. 281, 287–89 (2018). Section 1225(b) “applies primarily to [noncitizens] seeking entry into the United States”—i.e., “applicants for admission.”
Id. at 297. Detention pursuant to § 1225(b)(2)(A) is required “if the examining immigration officer determines that [a noncitizen] seeking admission is not clearly and beyond a doubt entitled to be admitted.” Noncitizens detained pursuant to § 1225(b)(2) cannot be released on bond. Section 1226(a) sets the “default rule” for detaining noncitizens “already present in the United States.” Jennings, 583 U.S. at 303. Under § 1226(a), a noncitizen “may be arrested and detained pending a decision on whether the [noncitizen] is to be removed from the United States.” Noncitizens detained pursuant to § 1226(a) are therefore generally entitled to individualized bond hearings. Id. at 306. Respondents take the position that Petitioner is properly detained under § 1225(b)(2) as an “applicant for admission.” Doc. 5 at 2. However, they concede that if this Court applies its reasoning articulated in Martin Ramirez v. Noem, No. 2:26-cv-00063 (D.N.M. Feb. 11, 2026), Petitioner would be subject to § 1226 and mandatory detention would not apply. Id. The Tenth Circuit affirmed the Court’s ruling in Martin Ramirez, which mirrored the
conclusion of the vast majority of district courts in this circuit, in Santillan Quiroz v. Mullin, 180 F. 4th 1226 (10th Cir. 2026). The court held that noncitizens “who entered the United States without admission and who have lived here since” cannot be subject to mandatory detention under § 1225. Id. at 1239. These individuals are “categorically unable to seek admission while they remain in the country.” Id. “The Government's interpretation disrupts § 1226(a)’s coverage of inadmissible noncitizens. If the Government is correct that § 1225(b)(2)(A) mandates the detention of all applicants for admission, then there are no inadmissible noncitizens left for § 1226(a) to cover.” Id. at 1247. Following Santillan Quiroz, Respondents’ argument in favor of applying § 1225 to the present case has no merit.
II. The Government’s Detention of Petitioner Violates His Fifth Amendment Rights.
The Court finds that Petitioner’s continued detention violates his Fifth Amendment rights. The United States’ power to admit or exclude aliens is no longer plenary once an alien enters the country, because the Due Process Clause applies to “all persons.” See Landon v. Plasencia, 459 U.S. 21, 32 (1982) (“Once an alien gains admission to our country and begins to develop the ties that go with permanent residence his constitutional status changes accordingly.”). Petitioner possesses a protected liberty interest in remaining free from detention and Respondents have deprived him of that interest without constitutionally adequate process. Courts analyze due process claims in two steps: the first asks whether there exists a protected liberty interest under the Due Process Clause, and the second examines the procedures necessary to ensure any deprivation of that protected liberty interest accords with the Constitution. Garcia Domingo v. Castro, 806 F. Supp. 1246, 1251–52 (D.N.M. 2025) (citing Ky. Dep’t of Corrections v. Thompson, 490 U.S. 454, 460 (1989)). “Freedom from imprisonment—from
government custody, detention, or other forms of physical restraint—lies at the heart of the liberty that [the Due Process] Clause protects.” Zadvydas, 533 U.S. at 690. “It is well established that the Fifth Amendment entitles [noncitizens] to due process of law in deportation proceedings.” Reno v. Flores, 507 U.S. 292, 306 (1993). Though the Government “may constitutionally detain deportable aliens during the limited period necessary for their removal proceedings,” that “limited period” cannot be indefinite. Demore v. Kim, 538 U.S. 510, 527 (2003). As the length of detention stretches on, an individual’s due process interests escalate and the government’s burden to justify continued detention mounts. Id. at 529; Jennings, 583 U.S. at 310–11; Mohamed v. Sec’y Dep’t of Homeland Sec., 376 F. Supp. 3d 950, 957 (D. Minn. 2018). Petitioner has been detained for
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
GURBHEJ SINGH,
Petitioner,
v. No. 1:26-cv-01594-SMD-LF
MARKWAYNE MULLIN,1 et al.,
Respondents.
ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
THIS MATTER is before the Court on Petitioner’s Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241. Doc. 1. The Court has reviewed the parties’ submissions, the record, and the relevant law, and for the reasons set forth below, the Petition is GRANTED. BACKGROUND Petitioner Gurbhej Singh, a citizen of India, is currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) at the Torrance County Detention Center in Estancia, New Mexico. Doc. 1 ¶¶ 1, 17. Petitioner first entered the United States without inspection on May 13, 2023. Id. ¶ 2. Customs and Border Patrol (“CBP”) detained him soon after his arrival and subsequently released him on his own recognizance. Id. CBP also issued a notice to appear and placed Petitioner in removal proceedings. Id. Over the past three years, Petitioner has built a life in the United States alongside his wife. Id. ¶ 3. He obtained work authorization, filed for asylum, and gave birth to a child, who is now three years old and a U.S. citizen. Id. On January 15, 2026, ICE agents awoke Petitioner while he was sleeping in the cab of his truck. Id. ¶ 4. ICE concluded that Petitioner is not a lawful resident and immediately placed him
1 Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25(d), the case caption shall be updated to reflect that Markwayne Mullin is the Secretary of Homeland Security. All future filings should be in the name of the substituted party. in custody. Id. He has remained in detention since. Id. ¶ 43. Petitioner has no known criminal history nor of noncompliance with immigration orders issued against him. Petitioner alleges that his continued detention violates, inter alia, his Fifth Amendment Due Process Rights and seeks release from detention. Id. ¶¶ 56–59. Respondents do not dispute any of the above-stated facts. Doc. 5.
DISCUSSION This Court has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 to consider habeas challenges to immigration detention. Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678, 687 (2001). A district court may grant a writ of habeas corpus to a petitioner who demonstrates that “[h]e is in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws . . . of the United States.” 28 U.S.C. § 2241(c)(3). I. Statutory Framework: 8 U.S.C. §§ 1225 and 1226 Sections 1225 and 1226 govern the detention of noncitizens prior to a final order of removal. See Jennings v. Rodriguez, 583 U.S. 281, 287–89 (2018). Section 1225(b) “applies primarily to [noncitizens] seeking entry into the United States”—i.e., “applicants for admission.”
Id. at 297. Detention pursuant to § 1225(b)(2)(A) is required “if the examining immigration officer determines that [a noncitizen] seeking admission is not clearly and beyond a doubt entitled to be admitted.” Noncitizens detained pursuant to § 1225(b)(2) cannot be released on bond. Section 1226(a) sets the “default rule” for detaining noncitizens “already present in the United States.” Jennings, 583 U.S. at 303. Under § 1226(a), a noncitizen “may be arrested and detained pending a decision on whether the [noncitizen] is to be removed from the United States.” Noncitizens detained pursuant to § 1226(a) are therefore generally entitled to individualized bond hearings. Id. at 306. Respondents take the position that Petitioner is properly detained under § 1225(b)(2) as an “applicant for admission.” Doc. 5 at 2. However, they concede that if this Court applies its reasoning articulated in Martin Ramirez v. Noem, No. 2:26-cv-00063 (D.N.M. Feb. 11, 2026), Petitioner would be subject to § 1226 and mandatory detention would not apply. Id. The Tenth Circuit affirmed the Court’s ruling in Martin Ramirez, which mirrored the
conclusion of the vast majority of district courts in this circuit, in Santillan Quiroz v. Mullin, 180 F. 4th 1226 (10th Cir. 2026). The court held that noncitizens “who entered the United States without admission and who have lived here since” cannot be subject to mandatory detention under § 1225. Id. at 1239. These individuals are “categorically unable to seek admission while they remain in the country.” Id. “The Government's interpretation disrupts § 1226(a)’s coverage of inadmissible noncitizens. If the Government is correct that § 1225(b)(2)(A) mandates the detention of all applicants for admission, then there are no inadmissible noncitizens left for § 1226(a) to cover.” Id. at 1247. Following Santillan Quiroz, Respondents’ argument in favor of applying § 1225 to the present case has no merit.
II. The Government’s Detention of Petitioner Violates His Fifth Amendment Rights.
The Court finds that Petitioner’s continued detention violates his Fifth Amendment rights. The United States’ power to admit or exclude aliens is no longer plenary once an alien enters the country, because the Due Process Clause applies to “all persons.” See Landon v. Plasencia, 459 U.S. 21, 32 (1982) (“Once an alien gains admission to our country and begins to develop the ties that go with permanent residence his constitutional status changes accordingly.”). Petitioner possesses a protected liberty interest in remaining free from detention and Respondents have deprived him of that interest without constitutionally adequate process. Courts analyze due process claims in two steps: the first asks whether there exists a protected liberty interest under the Due Process Clause, and the second examines the procedures necessary to ensure any deprivation of that protected liberty interest accords with the Constitution. Garcia Domingo v. Castro, 806 F. Supp. 1246, 1251–52 (D.N.M. 2025) (citing Ky. Dep’t of Corrections v. Thompson, 490 U.S. 454, 460 (1989)). “Freedom from imprisonment—from
government custody, detention, or other forms of physical restraint—lies at the heart of the liberty that [the Due Process] Clause protects.” Zadvydas, 533 U.S. at 690. “It is well established that the Fifth Amendment entitles [noncitizens] to due process of law in deportation proceedings.” Reno v. Flores, 507 U.S. 292, 306 (1993). Though the Government “may constitutionally detain deportable aliens during the limited period necessary for their removal proceedings,” that “limited period” cannot be indefinite. Demore v. Kim, 538 U.S. 510, 527 (2003). As the length of detention stretches on, an individual’s due process interests escalate and the government’s burden to justify continued detention mounts. Id. at 529; Jennings, 583 U.S. at 310–11; Mohamed v. Sec’y Dep’t of Homeland Sec., 376 F. Supp. 3d 950, 957 (D. Minn. 2018). Petitioner has been detained for
nearly eight months. “Due process requires that, whenever the Government detains somebody, it must have a good reason for doing so. If the detention is civil and nonpunitive, like the immigration detention here, that reason must rise to the level of a ‘strong special justification.’” Santilla Quiroz, 180 F.4th at 1249 (citation omitted). Here, the Government has offered neither justification nor process for the deprivation of Petitioner’s protected liberty interest. There is no evidence that Petitioner is a flight risk (indeed he has a strong incentive to remain in the country with his wife and child), a threat to the community, or that the Government has any interest whatsoever in his ongoing detention. The Government has violated Petitioner’s Fifth Amendment rights and he is entitled to habeas relief. Rodriguez-Fernandez v. Wilkinson, 654 F.2d 1382, 1387 (10th Cir. 1981). CONCLUSION It is hereby ORDERED: 1) The Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 1) is GRANTED; 2) Respondents shall release Petitioner within 48 hours of this Order being entered; 3) Respondents shall facilitate Petitioner’s transportation from the detention facility, by coordinating with his counsel and providing all necessary identity and travel documents to return him to his primary address; 4) Respondents SHALL file a notice of compliance within two business days of Petitioner’s release. This notice must specify: (1) the date, (2) the time, and (3) the manner of departure (e.g., transport to a bus station, designated drop-off location, or other arrangements). Additionally, the notice must include (4) a description or copies of all discharge and travel documents provided to Petitioner at the time of release; 5) Respondents SHALL NOT re-detain Petitioner without a pre-deprivation hearing before a neutral Immigration Judge pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a); 6) The Court will separately enter Final Judgment in favor of Petitioner but retain Jurisdiction over this matter to ensure compliance with this Order and to entertain any motions for attorneys’ fees. IT IS SO ORDERED.
SARAH M.DAVENPORT UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE