Mutzutz Sutuj v. Current or Acting Field Office Director

• Court: District Court, N.D. California
• Decided: November 30, 2023
• Docket: 1:23-cv-05455
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

1 2 3 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 5 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 6 7 JORGE ADABERTO MUTZUTZ SUTUJ, Case No. 23-cv-05455-RMI

8 Petitioner, ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S 9 v. APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS; SHOW CAUSE 10 CURRENT OR ACTING FIELD OFFICE ORDER DIRECTOR, 11 Re: Dkt. Nos. 2, 3 Respondent.

12 13 Petitioner, a federal detainee, filed a pro se petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 14 28 U.S.C. § 2241. Petitioner challenges his prolonged detention by the United States Immigration 15 and Custom Enforcement (ICE) at the Golden State Annex in McFarland, California. He also filed 16 a motion to proceed in forma pauperis. (dkt. 3). 17 DISCUSSION 18 Standard of Review 19 This court may entertain a petition for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a person “in 20 custody in violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States.” 28 U.S.C. § 21 2241(c)(3). It shall “award the writ or issue an order directing the respondent to show cause why 22 the writ should not be granted, unless it appears from the application that the applicant or person 23 detained is not entitled thereto.” Id. § 2243. 24 Legal Claims 25 Petitioner has been in ICE custody for twelve months and he states that he has serious 26 health problems. (dkt. 1 at 5). He argues that his prolonged detention violates due process, and he 27 seeks to be released or to have a hearing regarding his detention. (id. at 15-16). 1 citizens challenging the lawfulness of their detention. See Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678, 699 2 (2001). Although 8 U.S.C. § 1231(a)(6) authorizes the government to continue to detain an alien 3 after entry of a final removal order, it does not permit indefinite detention of an alien because his 4 native country will not accept him. See id. at 687-88, 697- 98. Once removal is no longer 5 reasonably foreseeable, continued detention is no longer authorized by statute. Id. at 699-700. 6 Liberally construed, the petition states a cognizable claim for habeas relief under § 2241 7 based on petitioner’s prolonged detention by ICE. See Zichko v. Idaho, 247 F.3d 1015, 1020 (9th 8 Cir. 2001) (federal courts must construe pro se petitions for writs of habeas corpus liberally). 9 Petitioner has also requested the appointment of counsel. The Sixth Amendment right to 10 counsel does not apply in habeas corpus actions. Knaubert v. Goldsmith, 791 F.2d 722, 728 (9th 11 Cir. 1986). But 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B) authorizes a district court to appoint counsel to 12 represent a habeas petitioner whenever “the court determines that the interests of justice so 13 require.” Petitioner has presented his claim adequately and the issues are not complex. The court 14 finds that the interests of justice do not warrant the appointment of counsel at this time. 15 CONCLUSION 16 Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (dkt. 2) is GRANTED. The motion to 17 appoint counsel (dkt. 3) is DENIED without prejudice. 18 The Clerk shall serve electronically (1) a copy of this order and (2) a notice of assignment 19 of prisoner case to a United States magistrate judge and accompanying magistrate judge 20 jurisdiction consent or declination to consent form (requesting that respondent consent or decline 21 to consent within 28 days of receipt of service) upon the Respondent and the Respondent’s 22 attorney, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of California, at the following email 23 addresses: (1) usacan.ecf@usdoj.gov; (2) michelle.lo@usdoj.gov; and (3) kathy.terry@usdoj.gov. 24 The petition and exhibits thereto are available via the Electronic Case Filing System for the 25 Northern District of California. The Clerk shall serve by mail a copy of this order on Petitioner. 26 Respondent shall file with the court and serve on Petitioner, within fifty-six (56) days of 27 the issuance of this order, an answer conforming in all respects to Rule 5 of the Rules Governing 1 Respondent shall file, with the Answer, and serve on Petitioner, a copy of all portions of the state 2 || trial record that have been transcribed previously and that are relevant to a determination of the 3 issues presented by the Petition. 4 If Petitioner wishes to respond to the Answer, he shall do so by filing a Traverse with the 5 court and serving it on Respondent within twenty-eight (28) days of his receipt of the Answer. 6 Respondent may file a motion to dismiss on procedural grounds in lieu of an Answer, as 7 set forth in the Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. 8 If Respondent files such a motion, it is due fifty-six (56) days from the date that this order is 9 entered. If a motion is filed, Petitioner shall file with the court, and serve on Respondent, an 10 || opposition or statement of non-opposition within twenty-eight (28) days of receipt of the motion, 11 and Respondent shall file with the court, and serve on Petitioner, a reply within fourteen (14) days 12 || of receipt of any opposition. 5 13 Petitioner is reminded that all communications with the court must be served on 14 || Respondent by mailing a true copy of the document to Respondent’s counsel. Petitioner must keep 3 15 the court informed of any change of address and must comply with the court’s orders in a timely 16 || fashion. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of this action for failure to prosecute pursuant 3 17 to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). See Martinez v. Johnson, 104 F.3d 769, 772 (Sth Cir. 18 1997) (Rule 41(b) applicable in habeas cases). 19 IT IS SO ORDERED. 20 Dated: November 30, 2023 21 Me Z 22 73 ROBERT M. ILLMAN United States Magistrate Judge 24 25 26 27 28