Sebastian Renoj Ordonez v. Kenneth Genalo, et al.

Renoj Ordonez v. Genalo · United States District Court for the Southern District of New York · January 16, 2026 · No. 26 Civ. 407 (JPC)

Summary

The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order in a habeas action brought under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 concerning the petitioner’s detention and location. The court directed the U.S. Attorney’s Office to respond by January 22, 2026, permitted a reply by January 29, 2026, and instructed the parties to address the potential applicability of Chen v. Almodovar.

Court
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Writing for the Court
John P. Cronan
Jurisdiction
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Decision date
January 16, 2026
Docket number
26 Civ. 407 (JPC)
Procedural posture
Petition for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241; the court issued an initial case-management order directing the Government to respond.
Precedential value
Nonprecedential interlocutory order
Parties
Sebastian Renoj Ordonez v. Kenneth Genalo, et al.
Disposition
other

Topics

federal habeas corpusimmigration detentionpleadingscivil procedure

Practice areas

Federal habeas corpusImmigration detentionFederal civil procedure

Questions Presented

  1. What is the legal basis for Petitioner’s detention and where is Petitioner being held?
  2. If the Government relies on 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A), whether there is a basis to distinguish Chen v. Almodovar.

Key quotations

By January 22, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office shall file an answer or other pleadings in response to the Petition, explaining the basis for Petitioner’s detention and Petitioner’s location.

Factual background

Petitioner filed a petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2241. The petition concerns Petitioner’s detention, and the court directed the Government to explain both the legal basis for the detention and Petitioner’s location. The order instructed the parties to address the potential applicability of a recent decision involving detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A).

Procedural history

Petitioner filed a § 2241 petition challenging the basis and circumstances of his detention. The court ordered the U.S. Attorney’s Office to notify the Civil Division, file an answer or other responsive pleading explaining the basis for the detention and Petitioner’s location, and address the possible applicability of Chen v. Almodovar. Petitioner was permitted to file reply papers.

Court Document

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