Filed Date: April 16, 2025
Case Ongoing
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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 following day, Judge Griggsby issued a scheduling order on the motion to dismiss.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Catherine Grosso (5/31/2025)
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 Aug. 21, 2025, 7:55 p.m.
State / Territory: Maryland
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump 1.0 & 2.0 Immigration Enforcement Order Challenges
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Immigration Enforcement)
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Alien Enemies Act)
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 16, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
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
United States (- 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
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Immigration/Border: