Filed Date: April 16, 2025
Closed Date: June 12, 2025
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This case is one of several lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to detain and deport noncitizens without due process. You can see all of the cases here.
On April 16, 2025, a noncitizen detained by the U.S. government filed an emergency petition for writ of habeas corpus in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The petitioner was at immediate risk of being removed to a prison in El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act, despite having no criminal record or connection with terrorism. The case was assigned to Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby.
On the same day, the government transferred the petitioner to Farmville, Virginia.
On April 21, the government moved to dismiss the case on the grounds that the Maryland court lacked jurisdiction once ICE moved the petitioner to Virginia and that the petitioner was being removed pursuant to normal administrative processes in immigration court and had a hearing scheduled on May 19, 2025, before an immigration judge.
The petitioner moved to withdraw their habeas petition in favor of voluntary departure from the United States. In effect, on June 12, the court granted their motion and denied as moot the government's motion to dismiss.
Summary Authors
Catherine Grosso (5/31/2025)
Zainab Mustafa (9/22/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69900792/parties/quintanilla-portillo-v-trump/
Carpio, Abraham Fernando (Maryland)
Corcoran, Tom (Maryland)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69900792/quintanilla-portillo-v-trump/
Last updated Dec. 7, 2025, 1:52 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump 1.0 & 2.0 Immigration Enforcement Order Challenges
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 16, 2025
Closing Date: June 12, 2025
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A Venezuelan national who is being detained and removed from the U.S. under the Alien Enemies Act.
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Donald Trump (- United States (national) -), Federal
Pamela Bondi (- United States (national) -), Federal
Kristi Noem (- United States (national) -), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Habeas Corpus, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2241-2253; 2254; 2255
Constitutional Clause(s):
Due Process: Procedural Due Process
Other Dockets:
District of Maryland 1:25-cv-01240
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Immigration/Border: