1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 ISABO LABRADOR-PRATO, No. 1:25-cv-01598-DC-SCR (HC) 12 Petitioner, 13 v. ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER 14 KRISTI NOEM, et al. (Doc. No. 2) 15 Respondents.
17 18 This matter is before the court on Petitioner Isabo Labrador-Prato’s motion for a 19 temporary restraining order (Doc. No. 2) filed in conjunction with her petition for a writ of habeas 20 corpus brought under 28 U.S.C. § 2241, challenging her ongoing immigration detention. (Doc. 21 No. 1.) Having considered the parties’ briefing (Doc. Nos. 2, 11,12), the court will grant 22 Petitioner’s motion for a temporary restraining order. 23 BACKGROUND 24 A. Factual Background 25 Petitioner is a citizen of Venezuela who entered the United States by crossing the Rio 26 Grande on September 9, 2021. (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 8–9; 1-1 at 2, 15.) United States Border Patrol 27 arrested Petitioner several hours after she entered the United States. (Doc. No. 1 at ¶ 8.) Petitioner 28 was placed into removal proceedings under section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 1 (“INA”) and transferred into the custody of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement 2 (“ICE”). (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 8–10, 42; 1-1 at 15, 17.) 3 On September 28, 2021, ICE issued a notice of custody determination, releasing Petitioner 4 from custody pursuant to the authority contained in section 236 of the INA (8 U.S.C. § 1226(a)) 5 and part 236 of Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (Doc. No. 1-1 at 6.) The notice 6 indicated Petitioner would be released “under other conditions” and additional documents would 7 be provided to her. (Id.) On December 28, 2021, ICE issued an order of release on recognizance 8 (“OREC”) for Petitioner.1 (Id. at 5.) The OREC states Petitioner had been arrested and placed in 9 removal proceedings. (Id.) The OREC further states Petitioner was being released on her own 10 recognizance provided she complied with certain conditions “[i]n accordance with section 236 of 11 the [INA] and the applicable provisions of Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations.” (Id.) The 12 OREC imposed several conditions, including in-person reporting and a requirement that 13 Petitioner must not violate any local, state, or federal laws or ordinances. (Id.) 14 Petitioner alleges she has no criminal history, no disciplinary infractions during her 15 detention, and has consistently cooperated with immigration authorities. (Doc. No. 1 at ¶¶ 8, 13.) 16 Petitioner also alleges she is actively pursuing asylum, withholding of removal, and protection 17 under the Convention Against Torture. (Id. at ¶¶ 6, 13.) On September 9, 2022, ICE received 18 Petitioner’s application for asylum and withholding of removal, which remains pending. (Doc. 19 No. 1-1 at 11.) 20 On July 18, 2025, ICE arrested Petitioner and transferred her from San Fransico, where 21 she resides, to California City Correctional Center in California City, California, where she is 22 currently detained. (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 2, 10; 1-1 at 11.) Petitioner requested bond and appeared 23 before the Adelanto Immigration Court for a bond redetermination hearing sometime between 24 August 18, 2025 and September 5, 2025.2 (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 11, 45; 1-1 at 8.) Following the
25 1 The OREC is not signed by Petitioner, which is not addressed in the parties’ briefings. (See Doc. Nos. 2; 11.) 26
27 2 It is not clear when the hearing with an immigration judge was held. In the petition and opposition to the motion for temporary restraining order, the parties agree that Petitioner came 28 before the Adelanto Immigration Court on her request for a bond redetermination hearing on 1 hearing, an immigration judge denied Petitioner’s request for a bond hearing “on purely 2 jurisdictional grounds.” (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 5, 12, 14; 1-1 at 8.) Specifically, the immigration 3 judge relied on the decision in Matter of Q. Li, 29 I. & N. Dec. 66 (BIA 2025), and held Petitioner 4 was subject to mandatory detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b) and was ineligible for bond under 5 § 1226(a). (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 5, 12; 1-1 at 8.) 6 B. Procedural Background 7 On November 11, 2025, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus and the 8 pending motion. (Doc. Nos. 1, 2.) Petitioner raises the following claims against Respondents 9 Kristi Noem, Pamela Bondi, Todd Lyons, Sergio Albarran, and Christopher Chestnut 10 (“Respondents”): (1) unlawful detention in violation of the INA and its implementing regulations; 11 (2) violation of her due process rights under the Fifth Amendment; (3) violation of the 12 Administrative Procedures Act; (4) violation of the equal protection guarantee of the Fifth 13 Amendment; (5) violation of the Suspension Clause; and (6) violation of the Accardi doctrine 14 with respect to 8 C.F.R. § 287.8(C)(2)(i) and (ii). (Doc. No. 1 at 7–8, 12–22.) 15 In her pending motion, Petitioner asks the court to order her immediate release from 16 custody.3 (Doc. Nos. 2 at 6, 16; 2-2 at 2.) Petitioner also asks the court to enjoin Respondents 17 from transferring her outside the Eastern District while this action is pending.4 (Doc. No. 2 at 6, 18 17; 2-2.) The following day, the court issued a briefing schedule on Petitioner’s motion. (Doc. 19 September 5, 2025. (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶ 11; 11 at 1.) However, the immigration judge’s order, 20 attached to Petitioner’s petition, is dated August 15, 2025. (Doc. No. 1-1 at 8.) In her reply, Petitioner notes the hearing took place on August 18, 2025. (Doc. No. 12 at 5.) 21 3 In the alternative to immediate release, Petitioner asks the court to order Respondents to provide 22 her with a constitutionally adequate bond hearing before a neutral immigration judge within three 23 days. (Doc. No. 2 at 6, 16.) Because Petitioner’s immediate release is warranted, the court will not address Petitioner’s alternative request. 24 4 Petitioner provides no authority to support her request to enjoin Respondents from transferring 25 her outside the Eastern District while this action is pending. Because “[t]he court need not make an order preserving its jurisdiction” and Petitioner is being provided immediate release, the court 26 will not address Petitioner’s request to enjoin Respondents from transferring her. Cajina v. 27 Wofford, No. 25-cv-01566-DAD-AC, 2025 WL 3251083, at *2, n. 1 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 21, 2025) (citing Y.G.H. v. Trump, 787 F. Supp. 3d 1097, 1105 (E.D. Cal. 2025)). 28 1 No. 6.) On November 24, 2025, Respondents filed a timely opposition to the motion. (Doc. No. 2 11.) On November 27, 2025, Petitioner filed a reply thereto. (Doc. No. 12.) 3 LEGAL STANDARDS 4 The standard governing the issuing of a temporary restraining order is “substantially 5 identical” to the standard for issuing a preliminary injunction. Stuhlbarg Int’l Sales Co. v. John D. 6 Brush & Co., 240 F.3d 832, 839 n.7 (9th Cir. 2001). To obtain either form of injunctive relief, the 7 moving party must show: (1) a likelihood of success on the merits; (2) a likelihood of irreparable 8 harm to the moving party in the absence of preliminary relief; (3) that the balance of equities tips 9 in favor of the moving party; and (4) that an injunction is in the public interest. Winter v. Nat. 10 Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008).
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 ISABO LABRADOR-PRATO, No. 1:25-cv-01598-DC-SCR (HC) 12 Petitioner, 13 v. ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER 14 KRISTI NOEM, et al. (Doc. No. 2) 15 Respondents.
17 18 This matter is before the court on Petitioner Isabo Labrador-Prato’s motion for a 19 temporary restraining order (Doc. No. 2) filed in conjunction with her petition for a writ of habeas 20 corpus brought under 28 U.S.C. § 2241, challenging her ongoing immigration detention. (Doc. 21 No. 1.) Having considered the parties’ briefing (Doc. Nos. 2, 11,12), the court will grant 22 Petitioner’s motion for a temporary restraining order. 23 BACKGROUND 24 A. Factual Background 25 Petitioner is a citizen of Venezuela who entered the United States by crossing the Rio 26 Grande on September 9, 2021. (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 8–9; 1-1 at 2, 15.) United States Border Patrol 27 arrested Petitioner several hours after she entered the United States. (Doc. No. 1 at ¶ 8.) Petitioner 28 was placed into removal proceedings under section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 1 (“INA”) and transferred into the custody of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement 2 (“ICE”). (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 8–10, 42; 1-1 at 15, 17.) 3 On September 28, 2021, ICE issued a notice of custody determination, releasing Petitioner 4 from custody pursuant to the authority contained in section 236 of the INA (8 U.S.C. § 1226(a)) 5 and part 236 of Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (Doc. No. 1-1 at 6.) The notice 6 indicated Petitioner would be released “under other conditions” and additional documents would 7 be provided to her. (Id.) On December 28, 2021, ICE issued an order of release on recognizance 8 (“OREC”) for Petitioner.1 (Id. at 5.) The OREC states Petitioner had been arrested and placed in 9 removal proceedings. (Id.) The OREC further states Petitioner was being released on her own 10 recognizance provided she complied with certain conditions “[i]n accordance with section 236 of 11 the [INA] and the applicable provisions of Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations.” (Id.) The 12 OREC imposed several conditions, including in-person reporting and a requirement that 13 Petitioner must not violate any local, state, or federal laws or ordinances. (Id.) 14 Petitioner alleges she has no criminal history, no disciplinary infractions during her 15 detention, and has consistently cooperated with immigration authorities. (Doc. No. 1 at ¶¶ 8, 13.) 16 Petitioner also alleges she is actively pursuing asylum, withholding of removal, and protection 17 under the Convention Against Torture. (Id. at ¶¶ 6, 13.) On September 9, 2022, ICE received 18 Petitioner’s application for asylum and withholding of removal, which remains pending. (Doc. 19 No. 1-1 at 11.) 20 On July 18, 2025, ICE arrested Petitioner and transferred her from San Fransico, where 21 she resides, to California City Correctional Center in California City, California, where she is 22 currently detained. (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 2, 10; 1-1 at 11.) Petitioner requested bond and appeared 23 before the Adelanto Immigration Court for a bond redetermination hearing sometime between 24 August 18, 2025 and September 5, 2025.2 (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 11, 45; 1-1 at 8.) Following the
25 1 The OREC is not signed by Petitioner, which is not addressed in the parties’ briefings. (See Doc. Nos. 2; 11.) 26
27 2 It is not clear when the hearing with an immigration judge was held. In the petition and opposition to the motion for temporary restraining order, the parties agree that Petitioner came 28 before the Adelanto Immigration Court on her request for a bond redetermination hearing on 1 hearing, an immigration judge denied Petitioner’s request for a bond hearing “on purely 2 jurisdictional grounds.” (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 5, 12, 14; 1-1 at 8.) Specifically, the immigration 3 judge relied on the decision in Matter of Q. Li, 29 I. & N. Dec. 66 (BIA 2025), and held Petitioner 4 was subject to mandatory detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b) and was ineligible for bond under 5 § 1226(a). (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶¶ 5, 12; 1-1 at 8.) 6 B. Procedural Background 7 On November 11, 2025, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus and the 8 pending motion. (Doc. Nos. 1, 2.) Petitioner raises the following claims against Respondents 9 Kristi Noem, Pamela Bondi, Todd Lyons, Sergio Albarran, and Christopher Chestnut 10 (“Respondents”): (1) unlawful detention in violation of the INA and its implementing regulations; 11 (2) violation of her due process rights under the Fifth Amendment; (3) violation of the 12 Administrative Procedures Act; (4) violation of the equal protection guarantee of the Fifth 13 Amendment; (5) violation of the Suspension Clause; and (6) violation of the Accardi doctrine 14 with respect to 8 C.F.R. § 287.8(C)(2)(i) and (ii). (Doc. No. 1 at 7–8, 12–22.) 15 In her pending motion, Petitioner asks the court to order her immediate release from 16 custody.3 (Doc. Nos. 2 at 6, 16; 2-2 at 2.) Petitioner also asks the court to enjoin Respondents 17 from transferring her outside the Eastern District while this action is pending.4 (Doc. No. 2 at 6, 18 17; 2-2.) The following day, the court issued a briefing schedule on Petitioner’s motion. (Doc. 19 September 5, 2025. (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶ 11; 11 at 1.) However, the immigration judge’s order, 20 attached to Petitioner’s petition, is dated August 15, 2025. (Doc. No. 1-1 at 8.) In her reply, Petitioner notes the hearing took place on August 18, 2025. (Doc. No. 12 at 5.) 21 3 In the alternative to immediate release, Petitioner asks the court to order Respondents to provide 22 her with a constitutionally adequate bond hearing before a neutral immigration judge within three 23 days. (Doc. No. 2 at 6, 16.) Because Petitioner’s immediate release is warranted, the court will not address Petitioner’s alternative request. 24 4 Petitioner provides no authority to support her request to enjoin Respondents from transferring 25 her outside the Eastern District while this action is pending. Because “[t]he court need not make an order preserving its jurisdiction” and Petitioner is being provided immediate release, the court 26 will not address Petitioner’s request to enjoin Respondents from transferring her. Cajina v. 27 Wofford, No. 25-cv-01566-DAD-AC, 2025 WL 3251083, at *2, n. 1 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 21, 2025) (citing Y.G.H. v. Trump, 787 F. Supp. 3d 1097, 1105 (E.D. Cal. 2025)). 28 1 No. 6.) On November 24, 2025, Respondents filed a timely opposition to the motion. (Doc. No. 2 11.) On November 27, 2025, Petitioner filed a reply thereto. (Doc. No. 12.) 3 LEGAL STANDARDS 4 The standard governing the issuing of a temporary restraining order is “substantially 5 identical” to the standard for issuing a preliminary injunction. Stuhlbarg Int’l Sales Co. v. John D. 6 Brush & Co., 240 F.3d 832, 839 n.7 (9th Cir. 2001). To obtain either form of injunctive relief, the 7 moving party must show: (1) a likelihood of success on the merits; (2) a likelihood of irreparable 8 harm to the moving party in the absence of preliminary relief; (3) that the balance of equities tips 9 in favor of the moving party; and (4) that an injunction is in the public interest. Winter v. Nat. 10 Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008). The likelihood of success on the merits is the most 11 important Winter factor. Disney Enters., Inc. v. VidAngel, Inc., 869 F.3d 848, 856 (9th Cir. 2017). 12 A party seeking injunctive relief must make a showing on all four prongs of the Winter 13 factors to obtain injunctive relief. All. for the Wild Rockies v. Cottrell, 632 F.3d 1127, 1135 (9th 14 Cir. 2011); see Lopez v. Brewer, 680 F.3d 1068, 1072 (9th Cir. 2012) (“A preliminary injunction 15 is ‘an extraordinary and drastic remedy, one that should not be granted unless the movant, by a 16 clear showing, carries the burden of persuasion.’”) (quoting Mazurek v. Armstrong, 520 U.S. 968, 17 972 (1997)). 18 DISCUSSION 19 A. Likelihood of Success on the Merits 20 1. Statutory Framework 21 Petitioner argues she is likely to succeed on the merits of her claims because she has not 22 received a bond hearing before a neutral adjudicator and remains detained, which exceeds the 23 government’s statutory authority under section 1226(a). (Doc. No. 2 at 10.) Respondents argue 24 Petitioner is not entitled to a bond hearing because she is subject to mandatory detention under 25 section 1225. (Doc. No. 11.) 26 The complex statutory framework governing the detention and removal of inadmissible 27 noncitizens in this country is at issue here. Sections 1225 and 1226 govern the detention of 28 inadmissible noncitizens who have been placed in removal proceedings. 8 U.S.C. §§ 1225, 1226. 1 Section 1226(a) is the “usual removal process” for inadmissible noncitizens. Dep’t of Homeland 2 Sec. v. Thuraissigiam, 591 U.S. 103, 108 (2020). The noncitizen’s removal commences with the 3 filing of a Notice to Appear with the Immigration Court, initiated under 8 U.S.C. § 1229(a). Ortiz 4 Donis v. Chestnut, No. 25-cv-01228-JLT-SAB, 2025 WL 2879514, at *3 (E.D. Cal. Oct. 9, 5 2025). The removal process provides for an evidentiary hearing before an immigration judge to 6 allow the noncitizen to show she should not be removed. Thuraissigiam, 591 U.S. at 108. The 7 noncitizen is permitted to apply for asylum if she would be persecuted if returned to her home 8 country. Id. (citing 8 U.S. § 1229a(b)(4); 8 C.F.R. § 1240.11(c)(2020).) If asylum is not granted, 9 and the noncitizen is ordered removed, she can appeal the order to the Board of Immigration 10 Appeals. Id. (citing 8 U.S. §§ 1229a(c)(5), 1252(a)). 11 Section 1226 provides a discretionary detention scheme while removal proceedings are 12 pending. 8 U.S.C. § 1226. Specifically, during the pendency of removal proceedings, the 13 government may continue to detain the individual or may release her on bond or conditional 14 parole. 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a)(2)(A)-(B). When a person is apprehended under section 1226, an ICE 15 officer makes an initial custody determination, and the noncitizen will be released upon a 16 showing “to the satisfaction of the officer that such release would not pose a danger to property or 17 persons, and that the [noncitizen] is likely to appear for any future proceeding.” Diaz v. Garland, 18 53 F.4th 1189, 1196 (9th Cir. 2022) (citing 8 C.F.R. § 236.1(c)(8)). If the noncitizen is detained 19 under section 1226(a), she is entitled to a bond hearing. Jennings v. Rodriguez, 583 U.S. 281, 306 20 (2018). 21 As to noncitizens seeking admission into the United States, section 1225 provides for 22 mandatory detention of certain individuals and, in some cases, expedited removal. 8 U.S.C. § 23 1225; see also Ortiz Donis, 2025 WL 2879514, at *4 (“While ‘§ 1226 applies to aliens already 24 present in the United States,’ U.S. immigration law also ‘authorizes the Government to detain 25 certain aliens seeking admission into the country under §§ 1225(b)(1) and (b)(2),’ a process that 26 provides for expedited removal.”) (citing Jennings, 583 U.S. at 303.) Section 1225(b)(2)(A) 27 provides: 28 ///// 1 Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), in the case of an alien who is an applicant for admission, if the examining immigration officer 2 determines that an alien seeking admission is not clearly and beyond a doubt entitled to be admitted, the alien shall be detained for a 3 proceeding under section 1229a of this title.5 4 An applicant for admission is defined as a noncitizen “present in the United States who has not 5 been admitted or who arrives in the United States (whether or not at a designated port of arrival 6 and including an alien who is brought to the United States after having been interdicted in 7 international or United States waters).” 8 U.S.C. § 1225(a)(1). 8 Until this year, the United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has “applied 9 [section] 1226(a) and its discretionary release and review of detention to the vast majority of 10 noncitizens allegedly in this country without valid documentation.” Salcedo Aceros v. Kaiser, No. 11 25-cv-06924-EMC, 2025 WL 2637503, at *3 (N.D. Cal. Sep. 12, 2025). According to Petitioner, 12 on July 8, 2025, DHS issued a memo to all employees of ICE stating that it had revisited its legal 13 position on detention and release authorities and that section 1225 “is the applicable immigration 14 detention authority for all applicants for admission.” (Doc. No. 1 at ¶ 37.) Following this 15 development, DHS began directing federal immigration officials to seek expedited removal of 16 noncitizens pursuant to section 1225(b)(2). Garcia v. Noem, No. 25-cv-02180-DMS-MMP, 2025 17 WL 2549431, at *5 (S.D. Cal. Sept. 3, 2025); Salcedo Aceros, 2025 WL 2637503, at *4. 18 In their opposition, Respondents reiterate the government’s position that section 1225 19 applies broadly to all noncitizens, including Petitioner, who are “present in the United States who 20 ha[ve] not been admitted.” (Doc. No. 11 at 3) (quoting Ramos v. Lyons, No. 25-cv-09785-SVW- 21 AJR, 2025 WL 3199872, at *4 (C.D. Cal. Nov. 12, 2025)). However, the legal arguments 22 Respondents rely upon to support the government’s position that section 1225 applies here have 23 been consistently rejected by a majority of courts in this district and courts across the country. See 24 Valencia Zapata v. Kaiser, No. 25-CV-07492-RFL, 2025 WL 2741654, at *10 (N.D. Cal. Sep. 25 26, 2025) (citing Salcedo Aceros, 2025 WL 2637503, at *8 (collecting cases). Instead, those 26
27 5 Subparagraph (B) of 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2) sets forth exceptions to subparagraph (A). Subparagraph (C) of the same section addresses the [treatment] of [noncitizens] arriving from 28 contiguous territory.” 8 U.S.C. § 1225 b)(2)(C). Neither subparagraph appears to apply here. 1 courts have generally held that section 1226 rather than section 1225 is the appropriate section to 2 apply in cases in which a noncitizen is already living in the United States. See C.A.R.V. v. 3 Wofford, No. 25-cv-01395-JLT-SKO, 2025 WL 3059549, at *8 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 1, 2025) (finding 4 section 1226 applied when “petitioner ha[d] been present in the United States for approximately 5 four years and was released on his own recognizance well before Respondents adopted the new 6 interpretation of the governing statutes”); see Bernardo Aquino v. Larose, No. 25-cv-02904-RSH- 7 MMP, 2025 WL 3158676, at *3 (S.D. Cal. Nov. 12, 2025) (“The overwhelming majority of 8 courts to address the issue have agreed that Section 1226(a), rather than the mandatory detention 9 provision of Section 1225(b)(2)(A), applies to a noncitizen . . . who has resided in the United 10 States for many years.”) (citing cases). 11 The majority view rejects the government’s new interpretation of section 1225 as the 12 applicable immigration detention authority for all inadmissible noncitizens. (Doc. No. 11 at 3.). 13 Indeed, Petitioner was specifically released in accordance with section 236 of the INA [section 14 1226]. (Doc. No. 1-1 at 5–6.) “Having elected to proceed with full removal proceedings under 15 § 1226, Respondents cannot now reverse course and institute § 1225 expedited removal 16 proceedings.” Clavijo v. Kaiser, No. 25-cv-06248-BLF, 2025 WL 2419263, at *4 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 17 21, 2025). Accordingly, Petitioner is likely subject to the discretionary detention scheme set forth 18 in section 1226. 19 2. Due Process 20 Petitioner also argues her continued detention violates her due process rights under the 21 Fifth Amendment. (Doc. No. 2 at 11–12.) Respondents do not address Petitioner’s due process 22 claim in their opposition. 23 The Due Process Clause protects persons in the United States from being deprived of life, 24 liberty, or property without due process of law. U.S. Const. amend. V. It is firmly established that 25 these protections extend to noncitizens present in the United States. See Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 26 U.S. 678, 693 (2001) (“[T]he Due Process Clause applies to all ‘persons’ within the United 27 States, including aliens, whether their presence here is lawful, unlawful, temporary, or 28 permanent.”); Wong Wing v. U.S., 163 U.S. 228, 238 (1896) (“It must be concluded that all 1 persons within the territory of the United States are entitled to the protection guarantied by [the 2 Fifth Amendment], and that even aliens shall not . . . be deprived of life, liberty, or property 3 without due process of law.”). 4 Courts examine procedural due process claims in two steps. Berrios v. Albarran, No. 25- 5 cv-01544-TLN-CSK, 2025 WL 3171140, at *2 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 13, 2025) (citing Ky. Dep’t of 6 Corr. v. Thompson, 490 U.S. 454, 460 (1989)). The first step asks whether a protected liberty 7 interest under the Due Process Clause exists. Id. The second step “examines the procedures 8 necessary to ensure any deprivation of that protected liberty interest accords with the 9 Constitution.” Id. 10 The Due Process clause applies to noncitizens in this country in connection with removal 11 proceedings, even if their presence is unlawful or temporary. See Zadvydas, 533 U.S. at 693. 12 Since Petitioner has a protected liberty interest, the court must determine the procedures 13 necessary to ensure any deprivation of that protected liberty interest accords with the 14 Constitution. To make that determination, the court applies the three-part test established in 15 Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319 (1976). See Diaz, 53 F. 4th at 1206–07 (applying the Mathews 16 test to a procedural due process challenge to a detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1226, explaining that 17 “Mathews remains a flexible test that can and must account for the heightened governmental 18 interest in the immigration detention context”); see also Hernandez v. Sessions, 872 F.3d 976, 19 993 (9th Cir. 2017) (applying Mathews factors in immigration detention context). The Mathews 20 test considers three factors: (1) the private interest affected; (2) the risk of an erroneous 21 deprivation; and (3) the government’s interest. 424 U.S. at 335. 22 Turning to the first Mathews factor, Petitioner has a private interest in remaining free from 23 detention. “Freedom from imprisonment—from government custody, detention, or other forms of 24 physical restraint—lies at the heart of the liberty [the Due Process] Clause protects.” Zadvydas, 25 533 U.S. at 690. Here, it is undisputed that Petitioner was released on her own recognizance for 26 nearly four years and Petitioner alleges she has consistently cooperated with immigration 27 authorities during that time. (Doc. No. 1 at ¶ 13); see Valencia Zapata, 2025 WL 2741654, at *8 28 (noting that release under section 1226 “implied a promise” that petitioners would not be re- 1 detained so long as they adhere to the terms of their release). Thus, this factor favors a finding 2 that Petitioner’s private interest has been affected by her detention. 3 The second Mathews factor, the risk of erroneous deprivation to Petitioner, also weighs in 4 Petitioner’s favor. See A.E. v. Andrews, No. 25-cv-00107-KES-SKO, 2025 WL 1424382, at *5 5 (E.D. Cal. May 16, 2025) (“The risk of an erroneous deprivation [of liberty] is high” when “[the 6 petitioner] has not received any bond or custody redetermination hearing.”). Civil immigration 7 detention is “nonpunitive in purpose and effect” and is justified when a noncitizen presents as a 8 danger to the community or risk of flight. Zadvydas, 533 U.S. at 690; Padilla v. U.S. Immigr. & 9 Customs Enf’t, 704 F. Supp. 3d 1163, 1172 (W.D. Wash. 2023). 10 Petitioner has been detained for over four months without being provided a bond hearing 11 before an immigration judge to evaluate her dangerousness and/or flight risk. Petitioner alleges, 12 and Respondents do not contest, that she has no criminal history, no record of violence, and has 13 never exhibited conduct suggesting she is a danger to the community or a flight risk. (Doc. No. 1 14 at ¶ 43.) Respondents have not argued or presented any evidence that Petitioner presents a danger 15 to the community or a flight risk. Therefore, “the probable value of additional procedural 16 safeguards, i.e., a bond hearing, is high.” A.E., 2025 WL 1424382, at *5. 17 Turning to the third Mathews factor, the court acknowledges the government has an 18 interest in the steady enforcement of its immigration laws but recognizes that the government’s 19 interest in detaining Petitioner without any procedural protections is substantially “low.” Ortega 20 v. Bonnar, 415 F. Supp. 3d 963, 970 (N.D. Cal. 2019); Doe v. Becerra, 787 F. Supp. 3d 1083, 21 1094 (E.D. Cal. 2025). Custody hearings in immigration court are routine and impose a 22 “minimal” cost on the government. Doe, 787 F. Supp. 3d at 1094. “If the government wishes to 23 re-arrest [petitioner] at any point, it has the power to take steps toward doing so; but its interest in 24 doing so without [any procedural protections] is low.” Ortega, 415 F. Supp. 3d at 970. 25 On balance, the Mathews factors favoring Petitioner show a likelihood of success on the 26 merits that due process requires a bond hearing prior to her re-detention. Therefore, the court 27 finds that Petitioner has established a likelihood of success on the merits of her due process claim. 28 ///// 1 B. Irreparable Harm 2 It is well established that the deprivation of constitutional rights ‘unquestionably 3 constitutes irreparable injury.’” Melendres v. Arpaio, 695 F.3d 990, 1002 (9th Cir. 2012) (quoting 4 Elrod v. Burns, 427 U.S. 347, 373 (1976)). Where, as here, the “alleged deprivation of a 5 constitutional right is involved, most courts hold that no further showing of irreparable injury is 6 necessary.” Warsoldier v. Woodford, 418 F.3d 989, 1001–02 (9th Cir. 2005) (quoting Wright, 7 Miller, & Kane, Federal Practice and Procedure, § 2948.1 (2d ed. 2004)). The Ninth Circuit has 8 also noted that “unlawful detention certainly constitutes ‘extreme or very serious’ damage, and 9 that damage is not compensable in damages.” Hernandez, 872 F.3d at 999. 10 Therefore, the second Winter factor weighs in favor of granting Petitioner’s request for 11 injunctive relief. 12 C. Balance of the Equities and Public Interest 13 The court now turns to the last two Winter factors. The balance of the equities and public 14 interest analyses merge when the government is the opposing party, as is the case in this action. 15 See Drakes Bay Oyster Co. v. Jewell, 747 F.3d 1073, 1092 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Nken v. Holder, 16 556 U.S. 418, 435 (2009)). 17 “Just as the public has an interest in the orderly and efficient administration of this 18 country's immigration laws, [] the public has a strong interest in upholding procedural protections 19 against unlawful detention.” Vargas v. Jennings, No. 20-cv-5785-PJH, 2020 WL 5074312, at *4 20 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 23, 2020) (internal quotation omitted); see also Preminger v. Principi, 422 F.3d 21 815, 826 (9th Cir. 2005) (“Generally, public interest concerns are implicated when a 22 constitutional right has been violated, because all citizens have a stake in upholding the 23 Constitution.”). Petitioner has demonstrated that she is likely unlawfully detained in violation of 24 her due process rights and is suffering irreparable harm as a result. 25 On the other hand, the burden on Respondents in releasing Petitioner from detention is 26 minimal. “[T]he only potential injury that the government faces is a ‘short delay’ in detaining 27 Petitioner[] if it ‘ultimately demonstrates to a neutral decisionmaker’ that their detention is 28 necessary to prevent flight or danger to the community.” Valencia Zapata, 2025 WL 2741654, at 1 *13 (quoting Salcedo Aceros, 2025 WL 2637503, at *14). Respondents cannot reasonably assert 2 that the public and government will be harmed in any legally cognizable sense by being enjoined 3 from violating Petitioner’s due process rights, which is the case here. See Zepeda v. U.S. Immigr. 4 & Nat. Serv., 753 F.2d 719, 727 (9th Cir. 1983) (finding “the INS cannot reasonably assert that it 5 is harmed in any legally cognizable sense by being enjoined from constitutional violations.”). 6 Accordingly, the court finds that the balance of equities and public interest weigh in favor of 7 injunctive relief and consequently, all four Winter factors weigh in favor of Petitioner. 8 D. Bond 9 “Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c) permits a court to grant preliminary injunctive 10 relief ‘only if the movant gives security in an amount that the court considers proper to pay the 11 costs and damages sustained by any party found to have been wrongfully enjoined or restrained.’” 12 Johnson v. Couturier, 572 F.3d 1067, 1086 (9th Cir. 2009) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(c)). 13 “Despite the seemingly mandatory language, ‘Rule 65(c) invests the district court with discretion 14 as to the amount of security required, if any.’” Id. (quoting Jorgensen v. Cassiday, 320 F.3d 906, 15 919 (9th Cir. 2003)). “In particular, ‘[t]he district court may dispense with the filing of a bond 16 when it concludes there is no realistic likelihood of harm to the defendant from enjoining his or 17 her conduct.’” Johnson, 572 F.3d at 1086 (quoting Jorgensen, 320 F.3d at 919). 18 The parties do not address in their briefing whether security is warranted in this case. The 19 court finds that no security is required here. Courts regularly waive security in cases like this one. 20 Diaz v. Brewer, 656 F.3d 1008, 1015 (9th Cir. 2011); Lepe v. Andrews, No. 25-cv-01163-KES- 21 SKO, 2025 WL 2716910, at *10 (E.D. Cal. Sep. 23, 2025); Pinchi v. Noem, No. 25-cv-05632- 22 RMI-RFL, 2025 WL 1853763, at *4 (N.D. Cal. Jul. 4, 2025). 23 CONCLUSION 24 For the reasons explained above, 25 1. Petitioner Isabo Labrador-Prato’s motion for temporary restraining order (Doc. 26 No. 2) is GRANTED; 27 2. Petitioner Isabo Labrador-Prato shall be released immediately from the 28 Respondents’ custody. Respondents shall not impose any additional restriction on 1 her, such as electronic monitoring, unless that is determined to be necessary at a 2 future pre-deprivation/custody hearing; 3 3. If the government seeks to re-detain Petitioner, it must provide no less than seven 4 (7) days’ notice to Petitioner and must hold a pre-deprivation bond hearing before 5 a neutral arbiter pursuant to section 1226(a) and its implementing regulations, at 6 which Petitioner’s eligibility for bond must be considered; and 7 4. Respondents are ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE no later than December 5, 2025, 8 as to why this Court should not issue a preliminary injunction on the same terms as 9 this Order. Petitioner may file an opposition by no later than December 9, 2025. 10 Respondents may file a reply to Petitioner’s opposition by no later than December 11 12, 2025. If the parties agree upon a less demanding briefing schedule, the court 12 will consider the parties’ proposal. 13 14 15 IT IS SO ORDERED. □ 16 | Dated: _ December 1, 2025 I Qf os Dena Coggins 17 United States District Judge 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 12