Santos Basilio Gonzalez-Benitez v. Brian Acuna, et al.

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA MONROE DIVISION

SANTOS BASILIO GONZALEZ-BENITEZ CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:26-CV-1616

SECTION P VERSUS JUDGE ALEXANDER C. VAN HOOK

BRIAN ACUNA, ET AL. MAGISTRATE JUDGE DAVID J. AYO

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

Petitioner Santos Basilio Gonzalez-Benitez, a detainee in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”), petitions for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241.1 Respondents oppose the petition. [Doc. 13]. For reasons below, the Court should DENY the petition. Background Petitioner is a citizen of El Salvador. He entered the United States of America “through the southern border in 2011.” [Doc. 1, p. 7]. ICE apprehended Petitioner on January 11, 2026. [Id., p. 2]. On April 14, 2026, an immigration judge ordered Petitioner removed from the United States. [Id., p. 3]. Petitioner appealed the removal order to the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”). [Id.]. Petitioner filed this proceeding on May 17, 2026. He first claims that the Government has “erroneously concluded [he] is subject to mandatory detention under [8] U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2).” [Id., pp. 2, 16]. Petitioner also claims that the Government is violating his rights to substantive and procedural due process by denying him a bond hearing. [Id., pp. 3, 12-15].

1 This matter has been referred to the undersigned for review, report, and recommendation under 28 U.S.C. § 636, and the standing orders of the Court. Petitioner next claims that ICE violated his Fourth Amendment rights by stopping his vehicle without reasonable suspicion and arresting him without probable cause or a warrant. [Id., p. 17]. He similarly claims that the ICE officers’ alleged actions above violated 8 U.S.C. § 1357(a)(2). Respondents opposed the petition on July 10, 2026. [Doc. 13]. Petitioner did not file a reply. Law and Analysis

I. 8 U.S.C. § 1225 versus 8 U.S.C. § 1226 The Fifth Circuit has held that aliens who have not been admitted may be detained without bond hearings under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A) even when they have been present in the United States for many years. Buenrostro-Mendez v. Bondi, 166 F.4th 494, 502 (5th Cir. 2026). In reaching its conclusion, the court analyzed the meaning of “seeking admission” and “applicants for admission” in 8 U.S.C. § 1225. Id. The court concluded that “applicants for admission,” which includes all aliens who have not previously been admitted to the United States, are necessarily “seeking admission” and, therefore, subject to mandatory detention under § 1225(b)(2)(A). Id. Here, Buenrostro-Mendez governs Petitioner’s detention status: he is detained under Section 1225. “If the officer determines at the time of the interview that an alien has a credible fear of persecution (within the meaning of clause (v)), the alien shall be detained for further consideration of the application for asylum.” 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(1)(B)(ii) (emphasis added). “Any alien subject to the procedures under this clause shall be detained pending a final determination of credible fear of persecution and, if found not to have such a fear, until removed.” 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(1)(B)(iii)(IV) (emphasis added). “Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), in the case of an alien who is an applicant for admission, if the examining

immigration officer determines that an alien seeking admission is not clearly and beyond a doubt entitled to be admitted, the alien shall be detained for a proceeding under section 1229a of this title.” 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A) (emphasis added). Plainly, Section 1225 does not authorize release on bond. Jennings v. Rodriguez, 138 S. Ct. 830 (2018). Petitioner is, therefore, not statutorily entitled to bond or a bond hearing. The Court should dismiss his statutory claim accordingly. II. Due Process Petitioner claims that the Due Process Clause entitles him to a bond hearing. In Ford

v. Ducote, et al., 2020 WL 8642257 (W.D. La. Nov. 2, 2020), the district judge opined in pertinent part: In Department of Homeland Security v. Thuraissigiam, 140 S. Ct. 1959 (2020), a Sri Lankan national was stopped 25 yards after crossing the southern border of the United States. He was detained for expedited removal. An asylum officer rejected his credible fear claim. Thuraissigiam then filed a federal habeas corpus petition in which he, for the first time, asserted a fear of persecution and requested a new opportunity to apply for asylum. In reversing the appellate court, the Supreme Court found the detention did not violate the Due Process Clause. Although not a case of unreasonable detention, the case is important as to Due Process rights for illegal aliens. Citing Nishimare Ekin v. United States, 142 U.S. 651, 660 (1892), the Court held that with regard to foreigners who have never been naturalized or acquired any domicile or residence in the United States, “‘the decisions of executive or administrative officers, acting within powers expressly conferred by Congress, are due process of law.’” 140 S. Ct. at 1977.

In Demore v. Kim, 538 U.S. 510 (2003), Kim had entered the United States lawfully and had resided in this country for over 10 years before committing a crime, which made him deportable. Like Ford, Kim argued his mandatory detention violated due process when no determination had been made whether he posed a danger to society or a flight risk. Also, like Ford, Kim asked for an individualized bond hearing which was not authorized under the statute. Both the District Court and the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found the detention without a bond hearing violated Kim’s due process rights. In reversing the District Court and Ninth Circuit, the Supreme Court held detention during these proceedings did not violate Kim’s due process rights.

Also, like Ford, Kim relied on the case of Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678 (2001). In Zadvydas, two aliens were held pending removal after final order of deportation. However, no country would take them, so their detention continued for years beyond the 90–day removal period of 8 U.S.C. §1231(a). The Supreme Court held that “once removal is no longer reasonably foreseeable, continued detention is not authorized by the statute.” Id. at 699. The Supreme Court concluded that six months was a presumptively reasonable period of detention, beyond the removal period, to remove aliens ordered deported. Id. at 702.

The Kim Court held that Zadvydas was materially different because the detention of the aliens in Zadvydas was “indefinite” and “potentially permanent.” Therefore, the correct standard to apply is to determine whether Ford’s detention is “indefinite” or “potentially permanent.”

Ford’s detention is not “indefinite” or “potentially permanent.” Ford’s detention ends when the removal proceedings end. Ford’s focus on “unreasonable detention” is incorrect. As long as Ford’s detention is not “indefinite” nor “potentially permanent,” Ford’s due process rights are not violated. See also Jennings v. Rodriguez, 138 S.Ct. 830 (2018).

2020 WL 8642257 at *2-3. Here, Petitioner is not constitutionally entitled to a bond hearing. See Demore v. Kim, 538 U.S. 510, 531, 123 S. Ct. 1708, 155 L. Ed. 2d 724 (2003) (“Detention during removal proceedings is a constitutionally permissible part of that process.”).2 As in Ford, Petitioner’s detention is not indefinite or potentially permanent. An immigration judge ordered him removed on April 14, 2026, and Petitioner thereafter chose to appeal, which will likely extend his detention until the BIA decides his appeal. Accordingly, the Court should deny Petitioner’s claim. Petitioner may of course re-file his claim should his detention become indefinite or potentially permanent. III. Procedural Due Process Citing Mathews v Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319, 335 (1976), Petitioner claims that absent a bond hearing, Respondents are violating his right to procedural due process. [Doc. 12, p. 6].

2 See also Romero v. Tate, 2026 WL 1067566, at *1 (S.D. Tex. Apr. 20, 2026); Bekboev v. Vergara, 2026 WL 1011244, at *1 (S.D. Miss. Apr. 14, 2026); Mlaih v. Noem, 2026 WL 787536, at *4 (N.D. Tex. Mar. 19, 2026). “No person shall . . . be deprived of . . . liberty . . . without due process of law[.]” U.S. CONST. AMEND. V. “[T]he Due Process Clause applies to all ‘persons’ within the United States, including aliens, whether their presence here is lawful, unlawful, temporary, or permanent.” Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678, 693 (2001). “Freedom from imprisonment— from government custody, detention, or other forms of physical restraint—lies at the heart of the liberty that Clause protects.” Id. at 690. “The right to prior notice and a hearing is central to the Constitution’s command of

due process,” as it “ensure[s] abstract fair play to the individual” and “minimizes substantively unfair or mistaken deprivations.” United States v. James Daniel Good Real Prop., 510 U.S. 43, 53 (1993). “The constitutional minimum of due process guarantees that notice and an opportunity to be heard be granted at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner.” Gibson v. Tex. Dep’t of Ins., 700 F.3d 227, 239 (5th Cir. 2012) (quoting Fuentes v. Shevin, 407 U.S. 67, 80 (1972) (internal quotation marks omitted)). “The opportunity to present reasons, either in person or in writing, why proposed action should not be taken is a fundamental due process requirement.” Cleveland Bd. of Educ. v. Loudermill, 470 U.S. 532, 546 (1985). “‘[T]he root requirement’ of the Due Process Clause” is “‘that an individual be given an opportunity for a hearing before he is deprived of any significant protected interest.’” Id. (quoting Boddie v. Connecticut, 401 U.S. 371, 379 (1971)); see Zinermon v. Burch, 494 U.S. 113, 127, 110 S. Ct. 975, 108 L. Ed. 2d 100 (1990) (“Applying [the Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 113, 96 S. Ct. 893, 47 L. Ed. 2d 18 (1976)] test, the Court usually has held that the Constitution requires some kind of a hearing before the State deprives a person of liberty . . . . ” (emphasis in original)). “[I]dentification of the specific dictates of due process generally requires consideration of three distinct factors: First, the private interest that will be affected by the official action; second, the risk of an erroneous deprivation of such interest through the procedures used, and the probable value, if any, of additional or substitute procedural safeguards; and finally, the Government’s interest, including the function involved and the fiscal and administrative burdens that the additional or substitute procedural requirement would entail.” Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. at 335. Here, the first factor above weighs in Petitioner’s favor as freedom from bodily restraint is the “most elemental of liberty interests.” Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, 542 U.S. 507, 529, 124 S. Ct. 2633, 159 L. Ed. 2d 578 (2004); Foucha v. Louisiana, 504 U.S. 71, 80, 112 S. Ct.

1780, 118 L. Ed. 2d 437 (1992). To reiterate, “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 v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678, 690 (2001). Living in the United States for approximately 15 years (albeit not on parole, bond, or other supervision), Petitioner established a liberty interest. See Mathews v. Diaz, 426 U.S. 67, 77 (1976) (noting that “[t]he Fifth Amendment, as well as the Fourteenth Amendment, protects every one of these [aliens] from deprivation of life, liberty, or property without due process of law” whether they are here unlawfully or not). According to the petition, “Petitioner has no criminal history, has a United States citizen child, and is an active parishioner and usher at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington DC.” [Doc. 1, p. 2]. At bottom, he established his life in this country. Terminating his valued liberty likely inflicted a grievous loss. See generally Lopez Miranda v. Flores, 2025 WL 3901908, at *3 (W.D. Tex. Dec. 10, 2025) (holding that “noncitizens acquire a protectable liberty interest when they spend years establishing a life in the interior of the United States, regardless of their citizenship status.”). That said, Petitioner always knew that he was in the United States without permission, which qualifies his liberty to a degree.3 Next, the second factor—the risk of an erroneous deprivation of such interest through the procedures used—leans in Respondents’ favor. Petitioner does not offer any reason why not providing process to him before he was detained—i.e., before the Government terminated his liberty interest—risked error. The Government has provided process after detaining him in the form of a Notice to Appear, the ability to respond to the Government’s motions, the

opportunity to be heard in a hearing or via motion(s), the opportunity to present evidence, and an appeal. He has received (and is receiving) opportunities to be heard on relevant issues such as his identity, whether he is “an alien present in the United States who has not been admitted or paroled,”4 the country of which he is a citizen, the country or countries which might accept him, when he entered the country, and whether he is entitled to asylum or other protection. Petitioner appears to seek only post-deprivation process in the form of a bond hearing. From what the undersigned can glean, he appears to argue that the potential error in failing to provide a bond hearing is detaining an individual who is not a flight risk or a danger to society. However, as explained above, Respondents are statutorily required to detain him under 8 U.S.C. § 1225. Thus, even if a neutral decisionmaker determined that he was not a flight risk or a danger, Respondents would still detain him. In Connecticut Dep’t of Pub. Safety v. Doe, 538 U.S. 1, 8 (2003), the statute at issue required all sex offenders to register so that their information could be published. The

3 See generally Henderson v. Simms, 223 F.3d 267, 274 (4th Cir. 2000) (“A prisoner who is mistakenly released does not have a protected liberty interest because, unlike a parolee, he does not have a ‘legitimate claim of entitlement’ to freedom.”).

4 [doc. # 13-1, p. 1]. respondent, a convicted sex offender, argued that the law violated his procedural due process rights by requiring him to register without a hearing as to whether he was “currently dangerous.” Id. at 6. Rejecting the argument, the Court opined, “Plaintiffs who assert a right to a hearing under the Due Process Clause must show that the facts they seek to establish in that hearing are relevant under the statutory scheme.” Id. at 8 (emphasis added). Whether the respondent was not dangerous was “of no consequence” under the statute because it required registration of all convicted sex offenders. Id. at 7.

Here, whether Petitioner is a risk of flight or danger is largely irrelevant to whether the Government must—under relevant statutory and regulatory schemes—detain him and remove him.5 See Clavijo v. Thompson, et al., 2026 WL 923310, at *3 (S.D. Tex. Mar. 26, 2026) (“8 USC § 1225(b)(2)(A) mandates detention of those falling within the definition of ‘applicants for admission’ without regard to any individualized custody determination concerning dangerousness or flight risk. And the Fifth Circuit in Buenrostro-Mendez has now determined that such detention lawfully applies to ‘applicants for admission’ like Petitioner. A hearing as to dangerousness or flight risk is thus irrelevant to the lawfulness of his detention under the statute.”). Petitioner does not claim that the Government failed to provide him process before detaining him and terminating his liberty interest. In this respect, and as explained above, the Government has provided him post-deprivation process in the form of notice and opportunities to be heard and to respond. All of this is to say that

5 To be sure, noncitizens detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b) may be released on parole for “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit,” if they “present neither a security risk nor a risk of absconding.” See 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)(A); 8 C.F.R. § 212.5(b). Thus, a determination that Petitioner is neither a flight risk nor a danger is not completely irrelevant. Here, however, Petitioner does not contend that he is entitled to release for urgent humanitarian reasons or for significant public benefit. And even if he did, he had and has the opportunity to present such a contention in his removal proceedings. If the Secretary of Homeland Security agreed, then Petitioner could attempt to demonstrate that he is neither a security risk nor a risk of absconding. there is little, if any, risk of error in terminating his liberty without providing him a post- deprivation bond hearing. The third factor—the Government’s interest, including any fiscal and administrative burdens that the additional or substitute procedural requirement would entail, if any— weighs in the Government’s favor. The Government has a significant interest in protecting the community and preventing flight. Petitioner eluded immigration authorities for approximately 15 years, demonstrating that he is a possible flight risk. Thus, affording him

a bond hearing could burden the Government’s interest in preventing flight. Out of an abundance of caution and even assuming Petitioner sought pre-deprivation process, providing it to him and others who entered the United States without permission—i.e., providing notice of the intent to detain them before detaining them—would create an appreciable risk of evasion before arrest/detention. Accordingly, the Government has not violated Petitioner’s right to procedural due process. The Court should dismiss this claim. IV. Stop and Arrest Because it concerns the Court’s power to decide the case, “[j]urisdiction is always first.” Louisiana v. United States Dep’t of Energy, 90 F.4th 461, 466 (5th Cir. 2024) (quoting Arulnanthy v. Garland, 17 F.4th 586, 592 (5th Cir. 2021)). “‘Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction,’ possessing ‘only that power authorized by Constitution and statute.’” Gunn v. Minton, 568 U.S. 251, 256 (2013) (citation omitted). Several sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act curtail the jurisdiction of federal district courts in immigration cases. See Jennings v. Rodriguez, 583 U.S. 281, 292-96 (2018). Here, Petitioner claims that ICE violated his Fourth Amendment rights by stopping his vehicle without reasonable suspicion and arresting him without probable cause or a

warrant. [Doc. 1, p. 17]. He similarly claims that the ICE officers’ alleged actions violated 8 U.S.C. § 1357(a)(2). However, Section 1252(g) strips the Court of jurisdiction over these claims. Section 1252(g), provides: “Except as provided in this section and notwithstanding any other provision of law (statutory or nonstatutory), including section 2241 of Title 28, or any other habeas corpus provision, and sections 1361 and 1651 of such title, no court shall have jurisdiction to hear any cause or claim by or on behalf of any alien arising from the decision or action by the Attorney General to commence proceedings, adjudicate cases, or execute removal orders against any alien under this chapter.” (emphasis added). Petitioner’s

claims arise from a decision to commence removal proceedings against him.6 Accordingly, the Court should dismiss these claims. Even assuming this Court did enjoy jurisdiction, the Court cannot provide the remedy Petitioner requests: release from detention. The remedy for an unlawful arrest is not release from custody, it is the suppression of evidence obtained from the arrest. See I.N.S. v. Lopez- Mendoza, 468 U.S. 1032, 1039 (1984). The Supreme Court has articulated that “the ‘body’ or identity of a defendant or respondent in a criminal or civil proceeding is never itself suppressible as a fruit of an unlawful arrest, even if it is conceded that an unlawful arrest, search, or interrogation occurred.” Id.; see also Solis-de Patino v. Pitts, 823 F. Supp. 2d 457, 464 (W.D. Tex. 2011); Garcia Gabriel v. Hermosillo, 2026 WL 194233, at *5 (W.D. Wash. Jan. 26, 2026) (“even if Petitioner’s arrest amounts to a Fourth Amendment violation, he is not entitled to habeas relief on that basis.”); Nyang v. Barr, 2020 WL 9396482, at *1 (N.D. Ala.

6 See Sissoko v. Rocha, 509 F.3d 947, 950 (9th Cir. 2007) (“[W]e hold that 8 U.S.C. § 1252(g)’s jurisdiction-stripping language covers the Sissokos’ false arrest claim.”); Limpin v. United States, 828 F. App'x 429 (9th Cir. 2020) (opining, where a petitioner alleged that he was wrongfully arrested and detained in connection with removal proceedings, that the “district court properly dismissed [the] action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction because claims stemming from the decision to arrest and detain an alien at the commencement of removal proceedings are not within any court’s jurisdiction.”); Gupta v. McGahey, 709 F.3d 1062 (11th Cir. 2013) (finding, where a petitioner argued that agents illegally created an arrest warrant, illegally arrested him, and illegally detained him, that Section 1252(g) barred the court from reaching the merits of the claims). Feb. 4, 2020); Ramirez-Mendez v. Olson, 2026 WL 907576, at *2 (E.D. Ky. Apr. 2, 2026) (“[T]he Court need not address the substantive issue of whether Petitioner’s Fourth Amendment rights were violated because even if they were, he is not entitled to habeas relief on that basis.”). Recommendation For reasons above, RECOMMENDED that Petitioner Santos Basilio Gonzalez- Benitez’s petition be DENIED AND DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C) and Rule 72(b), parties aggrieved by this recommendation have fourteen (14) days from service of this Report and Recommendation to file specific, written objections with the Clerk of Court. A party may respond to another party’s objections within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy of any objections or response to the district judge at the time of filing. Failure to file written objections to the proposed factual findings and/or the proposed legal conclusions reflected in this Report and Recommendation within fourteen (14) days following the date of its service, or within the time frame authorized by Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b), shall bar an aggrieved party from attacking either the factual findings or the legal conclusions accepted by the District Court, except upon grounds of plain error. In Chambers, Lafayette, Louisiana, this 4% day of July, 2026.

United States Magistrate Judge