Case: Ledesma Gonzalez v. Bostock

2:25-cv-01404 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: July 2, 2025

Closed Date: Oct. 8, 2025

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case is about the detention and out-of-district transfer of a Mexican national during his appeal period, without attorney access. On July 2, 2025, Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez filed this petition for writ of habeas corpus in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. He sued U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its Acting Director, the Seattle Field Office Director of ICE/ERO, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Secretary, and the Attorney General. Th…

This case is about the detention and out-of-district transfer of a Mexican national during his appeal period, without attorney access. On July 2, 2025, Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez filed this petition for writ of habeas corpus in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. He sued U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its Acting Director, the Seattle Field Office Director of ICE/ERO, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Secretary, and the Attorney General. The petitioner claimed violations of the Fifth Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act. The case was assigned to Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai.

The petitioner entered the United States at age fourteen, seeking asylum after receiving cartel death threats in Mexico. He had complied with all immigration court proceedings and ICE check-ins. On June 30, 2025, an immigration judge denied his asylum application and ordered his removal, setting a July 30 deadline for appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. On July 1, during a routine ICE check-in at the Eugene Federal Building, the petitioner was unexpectedly detained. Despite efforts by his attorneys, including a July 1 email from Katrina Kilgren confirming representation and counsel’s availability for visitation, ICE refused attorney access and did not facilitate communication.

Represented by private counsel, the petitioner sought an order preventing ICE from transferring him out of the district, a declaration that respondents’ actions were unlawful, and for the court to retain habeas corpus jurisdiction. He claimed that his detention and transfer violated his due process rights under the Fifth Amendment by creating significant barriers to appealing his asylum denial. He further argued that the government’s actions were arbitrary and capricious and lacked individualized assessment of flight risk or danger in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. He asserted that there were no changed circumstances to justify his re-detention, as he had not been found to be a danger to the community or a flight risk.

Also on July 2, 2025, the court ordered that the petitioner could not be moved outside the District of Oregon without at least 48 hours’ advance written notice. The notice was required to state the reason for the move and explain why it should not be stayed. The court further ordered the respondents to notify the court within two hours if the petitioner had already been moved, providing the date, time, and reason for the immediate transfer. Finally, the court directed the petitioner to provide his “Alien Registration Number” to the respondents within 24 hours to expedite their ability to file a response.

On July 24, 2025, the court transferred the case to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington (No. 2:25-cv-01404), where the petitioner is currently confined. Judge Jamal N. Whitehead was assigned to the case in Washington.

On September 22, 2025, plaintiff moved for a temporary restraining order (TRO), which defendants opposed. Without a hearing, the court granted plaintiff’s habeas petition on October 7, finding that his detention violated the APA and the Fifth Amendment Due Process clause. The court ordered the government release plaintiff from “custody immediately, and further, that Petitioner may not be re-detained until after an immigration court hearing is held (with adequate notice) to determine whether detention is appropriate.” 2025 WL 2841574. Plaintiff was released the following day.

Summary Authors

Victoria Tan (7/19/2025)

Maddy Ligon (10/20/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70918700/parties/ledesma-gonzalez-v-bostock/


Judge(s)

Kasubhai, Mustafa (Oregon)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Costales, Jorge Leonardo (Washington)

Habeas, US Attorney (Washington)

Hecht, Raquel Eleanor (Oregon)

Hermansen, Kurt David (Oregon)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
6

6:25-cv-01149

Order

U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Order/Opinion
1

6:25-cv-01149

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief
41

2:25-cv-01404

Order Granting Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

Oct. 7, 2025

Oct. 7, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 2841574

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70918700/ledesma-gonzalez-v-bostock/

Last updated Dec. 23, 2025, 1:02 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

Petition (In forma pauperis status selected). Filed by Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez against Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Motion). (Hecht, Raquel) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

3

SCHEDULING ORDER by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: Hearing is set for 7/2/2025 at 04:30PM in Eugene by videoconference before Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. The parties are ordered to connect to the Court's conference line at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled hearing. Connection information will be sent by separate order. (bd) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

4

Order for Administrative Correction of the Record pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(a) regarding 2 Case Assignment Notice. A Clerical error has been discovered in the case record: Electronic notification of the event failed. The following corrections were made to the record: Entry will be stricken and a new Notice of Case Assignment will be docketed. (sss) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

5

Notice of Case Assignment: This case is assigned to Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. (sss) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

6

ORDER signed on 07/02/2025 by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. (bd) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

7

Notice re Order 6 Notice of Petitioner Status Filed by Pamela Bondi, Drew Bostock, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Related document(s): Order 6 .) (Luse, Susanne) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

8

Clerk's Notice of emailing to William Narus, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Oregon regarding Petition 1 Scheduling Order 3, Conference Call Access Information and Order 6 . (bd) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

9

Affidavit of Katrina Kilgren . Filed by Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. (Hecht, Raquel) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

10

Supplement . Filed by Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. (Hecht, Raquel) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

11

MINUTES of Proceedings: Telephonic Motion Hearing Held before Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. To determine whether the Court continues to exercise jurisdiction over the habeas petition in the circumstances presented in this matter, the Court grants Petitioner an opportunity to submit a brief. Petitioner's brief is due 7/9/2025, Respondent's response is due 7/14/2025, no reply. The Court SETS oral argument for 7/15/2025 at 1:30 p.m. by telephone. This Court continues to exercise jurisdiction while the issue is briefed and argued. Brownback v. King, 592 U.S. 209, 21819 (2021). The Court's July 2, 2025 Order remains in effect. Petitioner's Motion for TRO [1-2] is DENIED as MOOT. Raquel Hecht present as counsel for petitioner. Susanne Luse present as counsel for respondent. (Court Reporter: Lindsey Weresch.) (bd) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/03/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

12

Brief in Support of Petition of Retention of Habeas Corpus Jurisdiction. Filed by Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Declaration of Alondra Gamboa, # 2 Exhibit Affidavit of Attorney) (Hecht, Raquel) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/09/2025)

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

13

Response to Petitioner's Brief on Jurisdiction.(Related document(s): Brief in Support of Petition 12 .) Filed by Pamela Bondi, Drew Bostock, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Luse, Susanne) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/14/2025)

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

14

Declaration of Jason Weiss . Filed by Pamela Bondi, Drew Bostock, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Related document(s): Response, 13 .) (Luse, Susanne) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/14/2025)

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

15

MINUTES of Proceedings: Oral Argument Held before Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: "[T]he general rule that for core habeas petitions... jurisdiction lies in... the district of confinement" is just that, a general rule. Rumsfeld v. Padilla, 542 U.S. 426, 443 (2004) (emphasis added). Nothing in Trump v. J.G.G., 145 S. Ct. 1003 (2025) forecloses the exceptions described in Justice Kennedy's concurrence in Padilla, joined by Justice O'Connor. See Schmitz v. Zilveti, 20 F.3d 1043, 1045 (9th Cir. 1994) ("particular weight" is given to the concurrences of justices whose votes were necessary to forming the majority opinion). But on the record in this case, the Court finds that the exceptions to the general rule do not apply. The Government was not the cause of Petitioner's counsel's inability to file the habeas petition, prior to Petitioner's removal out of the District of Oregon. Rather, Petitioner's counsel was unable to file sooner because her credentials for accessing the Court's electronic filing system had expired. The Court finds it is in the interest of justice to transfer venue to the Western District of Washington-the district in which Petitioner is currently confined. The Court will enter an order effecting the transfer of venue on 7/22/2025, unless Petitioner first moves for dismissal. The Court's July 2, 2025 Order 6 remains in effect. Raquel Hecht present as counsel for petitioner. Susanne Luse present as counsel for respondents. (Court Reporter: Lindsey Weresch.) (bd) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/15/2025)

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

16

Notice of Appearance of Kurt David Hermansen appearing on behalf of Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. Filed by on behalf of Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. (Hermansen, Kurt) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/23/2025)

July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

17

Notice of Appearance of Kara Anne Sagi appearing on behalf of Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. Filed by on behalf of Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. (Sagi, Kara) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/23/2025)

July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

18

Motion to Withdraw or Substitute an Attorney and Statement Respecting Transfer of Case. Filed by Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. (Hecht, Raquel) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/23/2025)

July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

19

ORDER by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: Petitioner's Motion to allow Attorney Hecht to withdraw as Counsel 18 is GRANTED. (bd) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/24/2025)

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

20

ORDER by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: The Court Orders the Clerk of the Court to transfer this matter to the Western District of Washington. 28 U.S.C. § 1631. (bd) [Transferred from ord on 7/25/2025.] (Entered: 07/24/2025)

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

21

Case transferred in from District of Oregon, Case Number 6:25-cv-01149. (MIH) Modified on 7/25/2025 to correct transfer date (MIH). (Entered: 07/25/2025)

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

Order

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

Order on Motion to Withdraw as Attorney

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

22

LETTER from Clerk to counsel re receipt of case from District of Oregon (Eugene) and advising of WAWD case number and judge assignment. (MIH) (Entered: 07/25/2025)

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Add and Terminate Judges

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Judge Jamal N Whitehead and Magistrate Judge Grady J Leupold added. (MIH)

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

23

DISREGARD/ correctly docketed at dkt 24 . Notice of Filing Deficiency re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. ***Action Required*** Filing Fee.See attached letter for more information and instructions. Filing fee due by 8/4/2025 (CDA) Modified on 7/28/2025 to strike (CDA). (Entered: 07/28/2025)

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

24

Notice of Filing Deficiency re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. ***Action Required*** Filing Fee.See attached letter for more information and instructions. Filing fee due by 8/4/2025 (CDA) Modified on 7/28/2025 re-generated NEF to attorneys Hermansen and Sagi (CDA). (Entered: 07/28/2025)

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Case/IFP Deficiency Letter

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Pay Filing Fee - Writ of Habeas Corpus

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Writ of Habeas Corpus Filing Fee payment by attorney Kurt David Hermansen on behalf of Petitioner Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez re 24 Case/IFP Deficiency Letter,. $5.00 receipt number AWAWDC-9094562 (Hermansen, Kurt)

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

25

MOTION to Appoint Counsel, filed by Petitioner Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 7/29/2025, (Hermansen, Kurt) (Entered: 07/29/2025)

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

26

ORDER granting Petitioner's 25 Motion to Appoint Additional Counsel. AFPD Gregory Murphy is hereby APPOINTED as counsel for Petitioner in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(c). Signed by Magistrate Judge Grady J Leupold.(MW)

Aug. 7, 2025

Aug. 7, 2025

RECAP
27

ORDER FOR SERVICE AND ANSWER, § 2241 PETITION. If not previously accomplished, electronic posting of this Order and Petitioner's Petition shall effect service upon the United States Attorney of the Petition and any supporting documents. Dkt. 1 . Service upon the United States Attorney is deemed to be service upon the Respondents. Within 30 days of the date this Order is posted, Respondents shall show cause why a writ of habeas corpus should not be granted by filing a return as provided in 28 U.S.C. § 2243. Signed by Magistrate Judge Grady J Leupold. (MW) (Entered: 08/07/2025)

Aug. 7, 2025

Aug. 7, 2025

28

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney James C. Strong on behalf of Respondents Pamela Bondi, Drew Bostock, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Strong, James) (Entered: 09/08/2025)

Sept. 8, 2025

Sept. 8, 2025

29

RETURN and STATUS REPORT by All Defendants. Noting date 10/6/2025. (Strong, James) Modified to add noting date on 9/9/2025 (MW). (Entered: 09/08/2025)

Sept. 8, 2025

Sept. 8, 2025

30

DECLARATION of Christopher Sica re 29 Return & Status Report by All Defendants (Strong, James) (Entered: 09/08/2025)

Sept. 8, 2025

Sept. 8, 2025

31

DECLARATION of James C. Strong re 29 Return & Status Report by All Defendants (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E)(Strong, James) (Entered: 09/08/2025)

Sept. 8, 2025

Sept. 8, 2025

32

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Jorge Leonardo Costales on behalf of Petitioner Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. (Costales, Jorge) (Entered: 09/09/2025)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

33

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL: Attorney Gregory Murphy for Petitioner Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. (Murphy, Gregory) (Entered: 09/09/2025)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

Noting Date Set/Reset re 29 Return and Status Report: Noting Date 10/6/2025. (MW)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

Set/Reset Motion Noting Date (Public)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

34

MOTION for Leave to File Over-length Motions and Briefs Motion for Leave to File Overlength Response, filed by Petitioner Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 9/19/2025, (Sagi, Kara) (Entered: 09/19/2025)

Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

35

RESPONSE by Petitioner Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez re 29 Return and Status Report Response in Support of Habeas Petition. Oral Argument and Expedited Consideration Requested (Sagi, Kara) (Entered: 09/19/2025)

Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

36

EXHIBIT Exhibits to Response in Support of Habeas Petition re 35 Response (non motion) by Petitioner Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B)(Sagi, Kara) (Entered: 09/19/2025)

Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

37

Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, filed by Petitioner Fernando Ledesma Gonzalez. Oral Argument Requested. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 9/22/2025, (Sagi, Kara) (Entered: 09/22/2025)

Sept. 22, 2025

Sept. 22, 2025

38

NOTICE of Intent to Oppose Emergency Temporary Restraining Order re 37 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order ; filed by Respondents Pamela Bondi, Drew Bostock, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Strong, James) (Entered: 09/23/2025)

Sept. 23, 2025

Sept. 23, 2025

39

RESPONSE, by Respondents Pamela Bondi, Drew Bostock, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to 37 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order . (Strong, James) (Entered: 09/24/2025)

Sept. 24, 2025

Sept. 24, 2025

40

ORDER GRANTING LEAVE TO FILE OVERLENGTH BRIEFS. For good cause shown, Petitioner's Motion (Dkt. 34 ) is GRANTED. Petitioner MAY FILE a response of up to 8,000 words, and Respondents MAY FILE a reply of up to 4,000 words. Signed by Magistrate Judge Grady J Leupold. (BKP) (Entered: 09/24/2025)

Sept. 24, 2025

Sept. 24, 2025

41

ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS. The Court GRANTS the habeas petition, Dkt. No. 1 , DENIES Respondents' return Dkt. No. 29 , and DENIES Petitioner's TRO motion as moot, Dkt. No. 37 . The Court ORDERS Respondents to RELE ASE Petitioner from custody immediately, and further, that Petitioner may not be re-detained until after an immigration court hearing is held (with adequate notice) to determine whether detention is appropriate. Within TWENTY-FOUR (24) hours of this order, Respondents must provide the Court with a declaration confirming that Ledesma Gonzalez has been released from custody and informing the Court of the date and time of his release. Signed by Judge Jamal N Whitehead. (KRA)

Oct. 7, 2025

Oct. 7, 2025

Clearinghouse
42

DECLARATION of Enrique Rodriquez re 41 Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief,,, Order on Motion for Temporary Restraining Order,, by Respondents Pamela Bondi, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Strong, James) (Entered: 10/08/2025)

Oct. 8, 2025

Oct. 8, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 2, 2025

Closing Date: Oct. 8, 2025

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A 22-year-old Mexican national

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (- United States (national) -), Federal

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (- United States (national) -), Federal

Attorney General (- United States (national) -), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Habeas Corpus, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2241-2253; 2254; 2255

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Due Process: Procedural Due Process

Other Dockets:

District of Oregon 6:25-cv-01149

Western District of Washington 2:25-cv-01404

Special Case Type(s):

Habeas

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Sought:

Habeas

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Relief Granted:

Habeas relief

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

Detention - criteria

Detention - procedures

Immigration lawyers