Marlon Castillo Espada v. John Doe, Warden, John Doe, Field Office Director, Todd M. Lyons, Acting Director, Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Pamela Jo Bondi, U.S. Attorney General

Summary

The United States District Court for the Central District of California accepted and adopted the magistrate judge’s final Report and Recommendation and granted Marlon Castillo Espada’s habeas petition. The court ordered his immediate release subject to prior supervision conditions and enjoined respondents from re-detaining him unless they followed specified regulatory procedures. Respondents were also ordered to file a status report regarding Espada’s custody by January 30, 2026.

Holdings

1. The district court accepted and adopted the magistrate judge's final report, findings, and recommendations and granted Espada's habeas petition.
2. Respondents were directed to release Espada from custody forthwith, subject to the order of supervision that governed his release before October 23, 2025.
3. Respondents were enjoined and restrained from re-detaining Espada unless and until they followed the procedures set forth in 8 C.F.R. §§ 241.4(l) and 241.13(i).

Questions Presented

1. Whether the petition for a writ of habeas corpus should be granted based on the issues addressed in the magistrate judge's final report and recommendation.
2. What relief was appropriate concerning Espada's detention and any potential re-detention.

Disposition

writ_granted