1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 INES H.O.1,
12 Petitioner, No. 1:25-cv-01878-TLN-JDP
13 14 v. ORDER CHRISTOPHER CHESTNUT, et al., 15 Respondents. 16
17 18 This matter is before the Court on Petitioner Ines H.O.’s (“Petitioner”) Motion for a 19 Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”). (ECF No. 8.) For the reasons set forth below, 20 Petitioner’s Motion is GRANTED. 21 /// 22 /// 23 /// 24 1 As recommended by the Committee on Court Administration and Case Management of 25 the Judicial Conference of the United States, the Court omits petitioner’s full name, using only her first name and last initial, to protect sensitive personal information. See Memorandum re: 26 Privacy Concern Regarding Social Security and Immigration Opinions, Committee on Court Administration and Case Management, Judicial Conference of the United States (May 1, 2018), 27 https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/18-cv-l-suggestion_cacm_0.pdf. The Clerk of Court is directed to update the docket to reflect this change accordingly. 28 1 I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND 2 In November 2022, Petitioner was trafficked into the United States after fleeing from 3 domestic and gender-based violence in Peru. (ECF No. 8 at 3.) Petitioner was placed into 4 removal proceedings and released on her own recognizance to file an application for asylum. 5 (Id.) In July 2025, Petitioner was detained without notice, a hearing before an immigration judge, 6 or a determination as to whether she posed a flight risk or a danger to public safety. (Id. at 4.) 7 Prior to her detention, Petitioner was employed as a housecleaner, formed relationship 8 with people in the United States, and provided for her children, including a child who suffers 9 from a terminal illness. (Id. at 8.) Petitioner has never been convicted of a crime. (Id. at 21.) 10 Petitioner has been detained for nearly five months without a hearing. (Id. at 7.) On 11 December 12, 2025, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus. (ECF No. 1.) On 12 December 20, 2025, Petitioner filed the instant TRO. (ECF No. 8.) 13 II. STANDARD OF LAW 14 For a TRO, courts consider whether Petitioner has established: “[1] that [s]he is likely to 15 succeed on the merits, [2] that [s]he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of 16 preliminary relief, [3] that the balance of equities tips in [her] favor, and [4] that an injunction is 17 in the public interest.” Winter v. Nat. Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008). Petitioner 18 must “make a showing on all four prongs” of the Winter test. Alliance for the Wild Rockies v. 19 Cottrell, 632 F.3d 1127, 1135 (9th Cir. 2011). In evaluating a petitioner’s motion, a district court 20 may weigh petitioner’s showings on the Winter elements using a sliding-scale approach. Id. A 21 stronger showing on the balance of the hardships may support issuing a TRO even where the 22 petitioner shows that there are “serious questions on the merits . . . so long as the [petitioner] also 23 shows that there is a likelihood of irreparable injury and that the injunction is in the public 24 interest.” Id. Simply put, Petitioner must demonstrate, “that [if] serious questions going to the 25 merits were raised [then] the balance of hardships [must] tip[ ] sharply” in Petitioner’s favor in 26 order to succeed in a request for a TRO. Id. at 1134–35. 27 /// 28 /// 1 III. ANALYSIS 2 A. Likelihood of Success on the Merits 3 Petitioner has established a likelihood of success on her due process claim. The Fifth 4 Amendment Due Process Clause prohibits government deprivation of an individual’s life, liberty, 5 or property without due process of law. Hernandez v. Session, 872 F.3d 976, 990 (9th Cir. 2017). 6 The Due Process Clause applies to all “persons” within the borders of the United States, 7 regardless of immigration status. Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678, 693 (2001) (“[T]he Due 8 Process Clause applies to all “persons” within the United States, including noncitizens, whether 9 their presence here is lawful, unlawful, temporary, or permanent.”). These due process rights 10 extend to immigration proceedings. Id. at 693–94. 11 Courts examine procedural due process claims in two steps: the first asks whether there 12 exists a protected liberty interest under the Due Process Clause, and the second examines the 13 procedures necessary to ensure any deprivation of that protected liberty interest accords with the 14 Constitution. See Kentucky Dep’t of Corrections v. Thompson, 490 U.S. 454, 460 (1989). 15 As for the first step, the Court finds Petitioner has raised serious questions as to whether 16 she has protectable liberty interest. See Rico-Tapia v. Smith, No. CV 25-00379 SASP-KJM, 2025 17 WL 2950089, at *8 (D. Haw. Oct. 10, 2025) (noting “[e]ven where the revocation of a person’s 18 freedom is authorized by statute, that person may retain a protected liberty interest under the Due 19 Process Clause”). As stated, Petitioner was released on her own recognizance in November 2022. 20 (ECF No. 8 at 3.) For more than two years, she built a life and established a community in 21 Turlock, California. (ECF No. 8 at 17.) As this Court has found previously, along with many 22 other courts in this district when confronted with similar circumstances, Petitioner has a clear 23 interest in her continued freedom. See, e.g., Doe v. Becerra, 787 F. Supp. 3d 1083, 1093 (E.D. 24 Cal. 2025) (noting the Government’s actions in allowing petitioner to remain in the community 25 for over five years strengthened petitioner’s liberty interest). 26 As to the second step – what procedures or process is due – the Court considers three 27 factors: (1) “the private interest that will be affected by the official action;” (2) “the risk of an 28 erroneous deprivation of such interest through the procedures used, and the probable value, if any, 1 of additional or substitute procedural safeguards;” and (3) “the Government’s interest, including 2 the function involved and the fiscal and administrative burdens that the additional or substitute 3 procedural requirement would entail.” Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319, 335 (1976). As set 4 forth below, the Court finds Petitioner has established her due process rights were likely violated. 5 First, Petitioner has a substantial private interest in remaining free from detention. As 6 discussed above, Petitioner was out of custody for over two years and had built a life in Turlock. 7 (ECF No. 8 at 11.) Despite that, Petitioner has now been detained for over six months without 8 being afforded a hearing. (Id.) Accordingly, this factor weighs in favor of finding Petitioner’s 9 private interest has been impacted by her detention. See Manzanarez v. Bondi, No. 1:25-CV- 10 01536-DC-CKD (HC), 2025 WL 3247258, at *4 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 20, 2025) (finding similarly). 11 Second, the risk of erroneous deprivation is considerable given Petitioner has not received 12 any bond or custody redetermination hearing. “Civil immigration detention, which is nonpunitive 13 in purpose and effect is justified when a noncitizen presents a risk of flight or danger to the 14 community.” R.D.T.M. v. Wofford, No. 1:25-CV-01141-KES-SKO (HC), 2025 WL 2617255, at 15 *4 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 9, 2025) (internal quotation and citation omitted). Petitioner has no criminal 16 history. (ECF No.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 INES H.O.1,
12 Petitioner, No. 1:25-cv-01878-TLN-JDP
13 14 v. ORDER CHRISTOPHER CHESTNUT, et al., 15 Respondents. 16
17 18 This matter is before the Court on Petitioner Ines H.O.’s (“Petitioner”) Motion for a 19 Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”). (ECF No. 8.) For the reasons set forth below, 20 Petitioner’s Motion is GRANTED. 21 /// 22 /// 23 /// 24 1 As recommended by the Committee on Court Administration and Case Management of 25 the Judicial Conference of the United States, the Court omits petitioner’s full name, using only her first name and last initial, to protect sensitive personal information. See Memorandum re: 26 Privacy Concern Regarding Social Security and Immigration Opinions, Committee on Court Administration and Case Management, Judicial Conference of the United States (May 1, 2018), 27 https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/18-cv-l-suggestion_cacm_0.pdf. The Clerk of Court is directed to update the docket to reflect this change accordingly. 28 1 I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND 2 In November 2022, Petitioner was trafficked into the United States after fleeing from 3 domestic and gender-based violence in Peru. (ECF No. 8 at 3.) Petitioner was placed into 4 removal proceedings and released on her own recognizance to file an application for asylum. 5 (Id.) In July 2025, Petitioner was detained without notice, a hearing before an immigration judge, 6 or a determination as to whether she posed a flight risk or a danger to public safety. (Id. at 4.) 7 Prior to her detention, Petitioner was employed as a housecleaner, formed relationship 8 with people in the United States, and provided for her children, including a child who suffers 9 from a terminal illness. (Id. at 8.) Petitioner has never been convicted of a crime. (Id. at 21.) 10 Petitioner has been detained for nearly five months without a hearing. (Id. at 7.) On 11 December 12, 2025, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus. (ECF No. 1.) On 12 December 20, 2025, Petitioner filed the instant TRO. (ECF No. 8.) 13 II. STANDARD OF LAW 14 For a TRO, courts consider whether Petitioner has established: “[1] that [s]he is likely to 15 succeed on the merits, [2] that [s]he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of 16 preliminary relief, [3] that the balance of equities tips in [her] favor, and [4] that an injunction is 17 in the public interest.” Winter v. Nat. Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008). Petitioner 18 must “make a showing on all four prongs” of the Winter test. Alliance for the Wild Rockies v. 19 Cottrell, 632 F.3d 1127, 1135 (9th Cir. 2011). In evaluating a petitioner’s motion, a district court 20 may weigh petitioner’s showings on the Winter elements using a sliding-scale approach. Id. A 21 stronger showing on the balance of the hardships may support issuing a TRO even where the 22 petitioner shows that there are “serious questions on the merits . . . so long as the [petitioner] also 23 shows that there is a likelihood of irreparable injury and that the injunction is in the public 24 interest.” Id. Simply put, Petitioner must demonstrate, “that [if] serious questions going to the 25 merits were raised [then] the balance of hardships [must] tip[ ] sharply” in Petitioner’s favor in 26 order to succeed in a request for a TRO. Id. at 1134–35. 27 /// 28 /// 1 III. ANALYSIS 2 A. Likelihood of Success on the Merits 3 Petitioner has established a likelihood of success on her due process claim. The Fifth 4 Amendment Due Process Clause prohibits government deprivation of an individual’s life, liberty, 5 or property without due process of law. Hernandez v. Session, 872 F.3d 976, 990 (9th Cir. 2017). 6 The Due Process Clause applies to all “persons” within the borders of the United States, 7 regardless of immigration status. Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678, 693 (2001) (“[T]he Due 8 Process Clause applies to all “persons” within the United States, including noncitizens, whether 9 their presence here is lawful, unlawful, temporary, or permanent.”). These due process rights 10 extend to immigration proceedings. Id. at 693–94. 11 Courts examine procedural due process claims in two steps: the first asks whether there 12 exists a protected liberty interest under the Due Process Clause, and the second examines the 13 procedures necessary to ensure any deprivation of that protected liberty interest accords with the 14 Constitution. See Kentucky Dep’t of Corrections v. Thompson, 490 U.S. 454, 460 (1989). 15 As for the first step, the Court finds Petitioner has raised serious questions as to whether 16 she has protectable liberty interest. See Rico-Tapia v. Smith, No. CV 25-00379 SASP-KJM, 2025 17 WL 2950089, at *8 (D. Haw. Oct. 10, 2025) (noting “[e]ven where the revocation of a person’s 18 freedom is authorized by statute, that person may retain a protected liberty interest under the Due 19 Process Clause”). As stated, Petitioner was released on her own recognizance in November 2022. 20 (ECF No. 8 at 3.) For more than two years, she built a life and established a community in 21 Turlock, California. (ECF No. 8 at 17.) As this Court has found previously, along with many 22 other courts in this district when confronted with similar circumstances, Petitioner has a clear 23 interest in her continued freedom. See, e.g., Doe v. Becerra, 787 F. Supp. 3d 1083, 1093 (E.D. 24 Cal. 2025) (noting the Government’s actions in allowing petitioner to remain in the community 25 for over five years strengthened petitioner’s liberty interest). 26 As to the second step – what procedures or process is due – the Court considers three 27 factors: (1) “the private interest that will be affected by the official action;” (2) “the risk of an 28 erroneous deprivation of such interest through the procedures used, and the probable value, if any, 1 of additional or substitute procedural safeguards;” and (3) “the Government’s interest, including 2 the function involved and the fiscal and administrative burdens that the additional or substitute 3 procedural requirement would entail.” Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319, 335 (1976). As set 4 forth below, the Court finds Petitioner has established her due process rights were likely violated. 5 First, Petitioner has a substantial private interest in remaining free from detention. As 6 discussed above, Petitioner was out of custody for over two years and had built a life in Turlock. 7 (ECF No. 8 at 11.) Despite that, Petitioner has now been detained for over six months without 8 being afforded a hearing. (Id.) Accordingly, this factor weighs in favor of finding Petitioner’s 9 private interest has been impacted by her detention. See Manzanarez v. Bondi, No. 1:25-CV- 10 01536-DC-CKD (HC), 2025 WL 3247258, at *4 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 20, 2025) (finding similarly). 11 Second, the risk of erroneous deprivation is considerable given Petitioner has not received 12 any bond or custody redetermination hearing. “Civil immigration detention, which is nonpunitive 13 in purpose and effect is justified when a noncitizen presents a risk of flight or danger to the 14 community.” R.D.T.M. v. Wofford, No. 1:25-CV-01141-KES-SKO (HC), 2025 WL 2617255, at 15 *4 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 9, 2025) (internal quotation and citation omitted). Petitioner has no criminal 16 history. (ECF No. 8 at 14.) Further, Petitioner attended all of her supervisory check-ins and 17 monitoring prior to her phone being stolen. (Id. at 14–15.) After her phone was stolen, Petitioner 18 replaced her phone and immediately resumed ICE check-ins. (ECF No. 1-6 at 1.) She also 19 willingly presented herself to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office at her next 20 scheduled date. (ECF No. 8 at 14–15.) Based on the record before it, the Court finds there is a 21 serious likelihood Petitioner will be erroneously deprived of her liberty interest. Moreover, 22 without any procedural safeguards to determine whether her detention was justifiable, the 23 probative value of additional procedural safeguards is high. R.D.T.M., 2025 WL 2617255, at *4. 24 Finally, the Government’s interest is low, and the effort and cost required to provide 25 Petitioner with procedural safeguards are minimal. See Garcia v. Andrews, No. 2:25-CV-01884- 26 TLN-SCR, 2025 WL 1927596, at *5 (E.D. Cal. July 14, 2025). As this Court has stated, it would 27 be less of a fiscal and administrative burden for the Government to return Petitioner home to 28 await a determination on her asylum case than to continue to detain her. 1 On balance, the Court finds the Matthews factors demonstrate Petitioner is entitled to due 2 process – a hearing to determine whether her detention was warranted. Accordingly, with respect 3 to her due process claim, Petitioner has shown she is likely to succeed on the merits. 4 B. Irreparable Harm 5 Petitioner has also established she will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of a TRO. 6 The Ninth Circuit recognizes “irreparable harms imposed on anyone subject to immigration 7 detention,” including “the economic burdens imposed on detainees and their families as a result 8 of detention[.]” Hernandez, 872 F.3d at 995. Such harm is present here. Petitioner has been 9 detained for nearly five months and has been separated from her community. She is unable to 10 support her family including a child with a terminal illness in need of medical care. Even if this 11 was not sufficient to establish irreparable harm, “[i]t is well established that the deprivation of 12 constitutional rights ‘unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury.’” Melendres v. Arpaio, 695 13 F.3d 990, 1002 (9th Cir. 2012) (quoting Elrod v. Burns, 427 U.S. 347, 373 (1976)). 14 C. Balance of Equities and Public Interest 15 As to the final two Winter factors, “[w]hen the government is a party, the analysis of the 16 balance of the hardships and the public interest merge.” Nat’l Urban League v. Ross, 484 F. 17 Supp. 3d 802, 807 (N.D. Cal. 2020) (citing Drakes Bay Oyster Co. v. Jewell, 747 F.3d 1073, 1092 18 (9th Cir. 2014)). The Court finds there is no equitable reason that would tip the balance in the 19 Government’s favor, because the Government faces no hardship. First, it is clear on this record 20 that the balance of equities tips decidedly in Petitioner’s favor as the Government “cannot 21 reasonably assert that it is harmed in any legally cognizable sense by being enjoined from 22 constitutional violations.” Zepeda v. U.S. Immigr. & Nat. Serv., 753 F.2d 719, 727 (9th Cir. 23 1983). Second, “it is always in the public interest to prevent the violation of a party’s 24 constitutional rights.” Melendres, 695 F.3d at 1002. Moreover, “the Ninth Circuit has recognized 25 that the costs to the public of immigration detention are staggering.” Diaz v. Kaiser, No. 3:25- 26 CV-05071, 2025 WL 1676854, at *3 (N.D. Cal. June 14, 2025) (internal citation omitted). 27 In sum, these last two factors also weigh in Petitioner’s favor. Therefore, the Court 28 GRANTS Petitioner’s Motion for a TRO. (ECF No. 8.) 1 IV. CONCLUSION 2 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 3 1. Petitioner’s Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (ECF No. 8) is GRANTED; 4 2. The bond requirement of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c) is waived. Courts 5 regularly waive security in cases like this one. See Diaz v. Brewer, 656 F.3d 1008, 1015 6 (9th Cir. 2011); 7 3. Petitioner Ines H.O. shall be released immediately from Respondents’ custody; 8 4. Respondents are enjoined and restrained from re-arresting or re-detaining Petitioner 9 absent compliance with constitutional protections, including notice and a hearing before a 10 neutral fact-finder where Respondents show: (a) there are material changed circumstances 11 which demonstrate that there is a significant likelihood of Petitioner’s removal in the 12 reasonably foreseeable future, or (b) Respondents demonstrate by clear and convincing 13 evidence that Petitioner poses a danger to the community or a flight risk. At any such 14 hearing, Petitioner shall be allowed to have his counsel present. 15 5. Respondents are ordered to show cause why this Court should not convert this temporary 16 restraining order into a preliminary injunction requiring Respondents to continue to abide 17 by this Court’s order. Respondents shall file responsive papers by Monday, December 18 29, 2025. Petitioner may file a reply, if any, by Monday, January 5, 2026, by 12 p.m. If 19 the parties agree upon a less demanding briefing schedule, the Court will consider the 20 parties’ proposal. The parties shall indicate in their briefing whether they request a 21 hearing. Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b)(3); 22 6. Respondents are hereby notified of their right to apply to the Court for modification or 23 dissolution of the Temporary Restraining Order by 3:00 p.m. on December 23, 2025. Fed. 24 R. Civ. P. 65(b)(4). 25 7. The Clerk of Court is directed to update the docket to only list Petitioner’s first name and 26 last initials. 27 // 28 // 1 IT IS SO ORDERED. 2 || Date: December 22, 2025 7, 3 TROY L. NUNLEY 4 CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28