Case: Clarke v. Nassau County Correctional Center

2:25-cv-06773 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Filed Date: Dec. 8, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenges the lawfulness of petitioner’s immigration detention, which he alleges results from an EOIR ruling divesting immigration courts of jurisdiction to make bond or custody determinations. On December 8, 2025, petitioner Erron Anthony Clarke, a Jamaican national detained by immigration authorities, filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against the Nassau County Correctional Center, the U.S. Department of Home…

This case challenges the lawfulness of petitioner’s immigration detention, which he alleges results from an EOIR ruling divesting immigration courts of jurisdiction to make bond or custody determinations.

On December 8, 2025, petitioner Erron Anthony Clarke, a Jamaican national detained by immigration authorities, filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against the Nassau County Correctional Center, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).

Clarke alleged that he entered the United States in or around 2018 on a visa, later married a U.S. citizen, and has a pending application for lawful permanent residency. In the week preceding the filing, he attended a DHS biometrics appointment and was immediately arrested and detained without bond at a DHS facility in East Meadow, New York. He asserted that he has no criminal history and is neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community.

Under federal immigration law, immigration judges are authorized to release noncitizens on bond and set the amount of that bond while removal proceedings are pending. Clarke challenges a September 5, 2025 EOIR ruling in which the agency purportedly divested itself of jurisdiction to make those custody determinations.

The petition asserted three principal claims. First, Clarke alleged that EOIR violated 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) and its implementing regulations by refusing to exercise its delegated authority to release him on bond and set the amount of that bond. Second, he argued that the ruling fails to apply the doctrine of constitutional avoidance because it results in potentially indefinite detention in violation of the Suspension Clause, relying on Zadvydas v. Davis and Boumediene v. Bush. Third, he alleged that the policy creates a system of detention without a hearing, in violation of the Due Process Clause.

Clarke asserted that he has exhausted all available administrative remedies.

The petition sought a writ of habeas corpus ordering his release from custody and a writ of mandamus compelling EOIR to conduct a bond determination and set appropriate conditions of release.

That same day the petition was filed, the court issued an order to show cause directing respondents to explain why the writ should not be granted, scheduled a hearing for December 11, 2025, and ordered that Clarke not be removed from the United States or transferred outside the region pending resolution of the petition.

On December 9, 2025, the court issued a supplemental order directing the government to provide additional information regarding Clarke’s detention and to state whether it opposed his release on bail.

On December 11, 2025, after expedited briefing, the court held a show cause hearing and ordered Clarke released on bond in the amount of $10,000 pending further proceedings.

Following the hearing, the court issued additional orders requiring further factual submissions regarding the circumstances of Clarke’s detention and directing the government to show cause why sanctions should not be imposed for failure to comply with prior court directives. The government subsequently submitted responses and supplemental filings addressing the court’s order in late December and January of 2026.

The case remains ongoing.

Summary Authors

Jack Buckfire (3/29/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72006132/parties/clarke-v-nassau-county-correctional-center/


Judge(s)

Brown, Gary R. (New York)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Hayes, Richard K. (New York)

Kelman, Lorne Jeffrey (New York)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:25-cv-06773

Petition & Affirmation for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

Complaint
14

2:25-cv-06773

Memorandum & Order

Clarke v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 3674471

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72006132/clarke-v-nassau-county-correctional-center/

Last updated April 13, 2026, 3:20 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

First PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus filing fee $ 5, receipt number ANYEDC-19701771, filed by ERRON ANTHONY CLARKE. (Kelman, Lorne) (Entered: 12/08/2025)

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

Civil Cover Sheet.. by ERRON ANTHONY CLARKE (Kelman, Lorne) (Entered: 12/08/2025)

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

3

This attorney case opening filing has been checked for quality control. See the attachment for corrections that were made. (SMF) (Entered: 12/08/2025)

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

4

Civil Cover Sheet.. by Erron Anthony Clarke (Kelman, Lorne) (Entered: 12/08/2025)

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

Clearinghouse

Notice: Re: Incomplete Civil Cover Sheet

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

Quality Control Check - Summons

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

Order to Show Cause (Federal)

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

Notice: Re: Incomplete Civil Cover Sheet. The Clerk's Office cannot assign this case without a completed Civil Cover Sheet specifically you are missing the second page of the civil cover sheet. Please resubmit corrected Civil Cover Sheet. This event can be found under the event Other Documents - Proposed Summons/Civil Cover Sheet. (SMF)

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

Case Assigned to Judge Gary R. Brown. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned Judges, located on our website. Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. (SMF)

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

Your proposed summons was not issued for one of the following reasons: No summons provided, please submit summons. The event can be found under the event Other Documents - Proposed Summons/Civil Cover Sheet., Please correct and resubmit using Proposed Summons/Civil Cover Sheet. (SMF)

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE and Electronic Service upon the US Attorneys Office Show Cause Hearing set for 12/11/2025 12:00 PM in Courtroom 940 before Judge Gary R. Brown. Show Cause Response due by 12/10/2025. Respondents are ORDERED to show cause why the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus should not be granted by December 10, 2025. Petitioner's Reply, if any, shall be filed by December 11, 2025 by 10:00 a.m. The parties are further ORDERED TO appear before this Court for a hearing on the petition on December 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM. The hearing will be held in Courtroom 940 of the Alfonse D'Amato United States Courthouse, 100 Federal Plaza, Central Islip, New York, 11722. Petitioner shall be produced in Court at that time. To preserve the Court's jurisdiction pending a ruling in this matter, Petitioner shall not be removed from the United States unless and until the Court orders otherwise. See, e.g., Loc. 1814, Int'l Longshoremen's Ass'n, AFL-CIO v. New York Shipping Ass'n, Inc., 965 F.2d 1224, 1237 (2d Cir. 1992) ("Once the district court acquires jurisdiction over the subject matter of, and the parties to, the litigation, the All Writs Act [28 U.S.C. § 1651] authorizes a federal court to protect that jurisdiction").Additionally, in light of Petitioner's interests in participating in further proceedings before this Court and in maintaining adequate access to legal counsel through these proceedings, it is further ORDERED that Petitioner shall not be transferred except to a facility within this District, the Southern District of New York, or the District of New Jersey absent further order of this Court. See Ozturk v. Trump, No. 25-cv-374, 2025 WL 1145250, at *15 (D. Vt. Apr. 18, 2025) (ordering petitioner's transfer from Louisiana to Vermont due, in part, to her pending habeas petition), stay and mandamus denied, Ozturk v. Hyde, 136 F.4th 382, 403 (2d Cir. 2025); Westley v. Harper, No. 25-cv-229, ECF No. 7 (E.D. La. Feb. 2, 2025) (restraining respondents "from (a) attempting to remove petitioner from the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana to any location outside [the] district, and (b) removing petitioner from the United States"); Sillah v. Barr, No. 19-cv-1747, ECF No. 6 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 25, 2019) (enjoining respondents from transferring defendant outside of the New York City area while defendant's habeas petition was pending); Campbell v. U.S. Immigr. & Customs Enf't, No. 20-cv-22999, ECF No. 13 (S.D. Fl. July 26, 2020) (granting a stay of petitioner's transfer and prohibiting respondent "from transferring Petitioner to another detention facility during the pendency of the stay"); 28 U.S.C. § 1651(a) (empowering courts to "issue all writs necessary or appropriate in aid of their respective jurisdictions and agreeable to the usages and principles of law").The Clerk is directed to serve a copy of this order electronically upon the Chiefs of the Civil Division and the Long Island Civil Division of the United States Attorney's Office forthwith. An attorney of the United States Attorney's Office should be appointed forthwith to ensure compliance with the Court's orders contained herein. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 12/8/2025. (Brown, Gary)

Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

5

Letter Response to the Court's Supplemental Order of December 9, 2025 by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

6

EXHIBIT in support of Habeas by Erron Anthony Clarke. Related document: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed by Erron Anthony Clarke. (Kelman, Lorne) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

7

ORDER: This case (Please See Order For Further Details), in many important respects, bears similarity to several recent decision in which district judges in this Court and the Southern District of New York have grappled with arrests by DHS which ran afoul of Due Process protections, statutes and regulations. Gopie v. Lyons, No. 25-CV-05229-SJB, 2025 WL 3167130, at *1 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 13, 2025) (issuing writ for legal resident improvidently arrested and detained); Huang v. Almodovar et al., No. 25 CIV. 9346 (DEH), 2025 WL 3295912, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 26, 2025) (ordering release of Petitioner, who entered country without legal status, and enjoined future detention under certain circumstances). Judge Bulsara's decision in Gopie offers a precise, detailed review of the applicable provisions governing arrests by immigration authorities, which is incorporated herein by reference. Based on this analysis, as part of its response to the pending Order to Show Cause, counsel for Respondents shall provide documentation relating to the following: SEE ORDER FOR FURTHER DETAILS. So Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 12/9/2025. (GO) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

RECAP

Order(Other)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

SUPPLEMENTAL SHOW CAUSE ORDER - Upon further review of the petition, based upon the information contained therein, it appears petitioner was admitted to the United States with a valid visa in 2018, subsequently married a U.S. citizen and has no record of criminal activity, violence or drug-related activities. It also appears that the EOIR has improperly refused to conduct a bail proceeding concerning petitioner. As such, the Government shall file a written submission via ECF by 3 p.m. today indicating whether it has any cause to oppose petitioner's release on bail pending resolution of the petition. See Mapp v. Reno, 241 F.3d 221, 223 (2d Cir. 2001)("federal courts have the same inherent authority to admit habeas petitioners to bail in the immigration context as they do in criminal habeas cases"). Petitioner's counsel may also file by 3 p.m. any additional materials that bear on petitioner's suitability for release on bail pending resolution of the petition. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 12/9/2025. (Brown, Gary)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

8

NOTICE of Appearance by Richard K. Hayes on behalf of Executive Office For Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (aty to be noticed) (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 12/10/2025)

Dec. 10, 2025

Dec. 10, 2025

9

Letter Response In Further Response to the Petition and the Court's Orders by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit) (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 12/10/2025)

Dec. 10, 2025

Dec. 10, 2025

10

Second set of EXHIBITS by Erron Anthony Clarke. Related document: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed by Erron Anthony Clarke. (KM) (Entered: 12/15/2025)

Dec. 11, 2025

Dec. 11, 2025

12

SEALED DOCUMENTS ORDER Setting Conditions of Release and Bond: It is hereby ORDERED that the above-named defendant be released subject to the Conditions of Release below and: Upon Bond executed by the defendant in the amount of $10,000.00 which shall be unsecured; cosigned by financially responsible sureties. Release of the deft. is hereby ordered on 12/11/2025. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 12/11/2025. (JC) (Entered: 12/17/2025)

Dec. 11, 2025

Dec. 11, 2025

13

REDACTION to 12 Order. See attached. (JC) (Entered: 12/17/2025)

Dec. 11, 2025

Dec. 11, 2025

Order(Other)

Dec. 11, 2025

Dec. 11, 2025

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. In furtherance of the Court's review of this matter, and based on issues raised by the filings made and the proceedings, Respondents are hereby ORDERED to file a written response regarding Petitioner's stay in the facility referred to as the "Central Islip Hold Room" (CIHR):1.List the dates and times - including arrival and exit times -- at which the Petitioner was detained at the CIHR. With respect to Petitioner's second detention there, beginning on December 9 as per the Government's declaration, provide the reason(s) for the removal of the Petitioner from the Nassau County Correctional Center and readmission to the CIHR, as well as the reason(s) underlying his removal from the CIHR and transfer to ICE's Newark facility shortly before this Court's hearing. 2.State whether, as described by Petitioner during the hearing, Petitioner and other detainees were: a.Not provided with clean clothing, toothbrushes and soap or access to showers, soap, beds, cots or bedding. b.Required to sleep on the floor in a room where the lights remained on 24 hours per day. State whether the room was consistently heated during Petitioner's detention. c.Afforded only a single phone call and had no provision for attorney visits. State whether phone calls could be made privately; andd.Provided only two meals per day. 3.Provide a description (including dimensions and capacity) and photographs of the hold room where Petitioner was detained, and state whether such rooms have toilets, sinks and/or bunks. 4.State whether medical care was or could have been provided to Petitioner at the CIHR, and whether he and other detainees were provided access to prescriptions and other medications. Respondents will file a response to these inquiries on or before close of business on December 16, 2025. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 12/11/2025. (Brown, Gary)

Dec. 11, 2025

Dec. 11, 2025

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Gary R. Brown:Show Cause Hearing held on 12/11/2025 Lorne Kelman for petitioner and Richard Hayes for respondent. Petitioner not present. Argument heard. The court orders petitioner released pending further administrative process. Status letter due at the end of next week. Bond executed. (Court Reporter Kristi Cruz.) (KM)

Dec. 11, 2025

Dec. 11, 2025

Show Cause Hearing

Dec. 12, 2025

Dec. 12, 2025

11

Letter Response to Second Supplemental Order to Show Cause by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit in Support) (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 12/16/2025)

Dec. 16, 2025

Dec. 16, 2025

14

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER: Therefore, it is further ORDERED that as part of the above-described December 30 submission, counsel for respondents shall SHOW CAUSE why the Court should not consider entering an order of contempt or some other remedy in connection with ICE's failures to follow its orders in this case. Response by counsel for Petitioner (as well as any amicus submissions) shall be filed on or before January 12, 2026, after the filing of the above-described submissions. Reply submissions, if any, shall be filed on or before January 20, 2026. SEE ATTACHED ORDER FOR FURTHER DETAILS. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 12/18/2025. (JC) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

Clearinghouse
15

Letter in Response to the Court's December 18, 2025 Order by Executive Office For Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

RECAP

Order(Other)

Dec. 24, 2025

Dec. 24, 2025

ORDER Re DE 15 The Federal Respondents shall submit the requested photographs of the CIHR under seal for in camera review by the Court. The Federal Respondents have until January 23, 2026 to address the Court's December 18 Order. Petitioner will have three days to submit a response. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 12/24/2025. (ML)

Dec. 24, 2025

Dec. 24, 2025

16

Letter pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 5.2 by Executive Office For Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 12/30/2025)

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 2025

Order(Other)

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 2025

ORDER Per the Government's December 30th request, the December 23rd letter is hereby unsealed. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 12/30/2025. (ML)

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 2025

18

Letter Supplemental Response to December 18, 2025 by Executive Office For Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Affidavit) (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

1 Affidavit

View on RECAP

2 Affidavit

View on RECAP

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

RECAP
19

Letter enclosing corrected Supplemental Response to the Court's December 18, 2025 Order by Executive Office For Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Attachments: # 1 Corrected Letter) (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 01/24/2026)

1 Corrected Letter

View on RECAP

Jan. 24, 2026

Jan. 24, 2026

RECAP

Order Unrestricting Access to 463 Case

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

Order Unrestricting Access to 463 Case. The clerk's office is directed to remove the restriction within this matter. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 1/30/2026. (KM)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

20

Letter from Newsday Court Reporter Janon Fisher dtd 2/3/2026 to Judge Brown requesting for public access to DE 11 . (JC) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

Feb. 3, 2026

Feb. 3, 2026

RECAP
21

STATUS UPDATE ORDER: However, to complete the record, Respondents are directed toaddress the following within seven days from the date of this Order: SEE ATTACHED ORDER FOR FURTHER DETAILS. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 2/11/2026. (JC) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

Feb. 11, 2026

Feb. 11, 2026

RECAP
22

First MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply to the Court's February 11, 2026 Order by Executive Office For Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

RECAP

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

Feb. 18, 2026

Feb. 18, 2026

ORDER granting 22 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply.The Government shall respond to the Court's February 11 Order by March 3, 2026. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 2/18/2026. (ML)

Feb. 18, 2026

Feb. 18, 2026

23

Letter in Response to the Court's February 11, 2026 Order by Executive Office For Immigration Review, Nassau County Correctional Center, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit in Support, # 2 Affidavit in Support) (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

1 Affidavit in Support

View on PACER

2 Affidavit in Support

View on PACER

March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

SCHEDULING ORDER: In light of the Government's March 3 Update, DE 23, an IN-PERSON status conference will be held on March 10, 2026 at 2PM. In addition to counsel for both sides, a representative for Respondents shall attend in-person. Petitioner's attendance is not required. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 3/6/2026. (ML)

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

Scheduling Order

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

24

Letter in Further Response to the Court's February 11, 2026 Order by Executive Office For Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit in Support) (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 03/09/2026)

1 Affidavit in Support

View on PACER

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Gary R. Brown:Status Conference held on 3/10/2026. Lorne Jeffrey Kelman for petitioner; Richard Hayes for respondent. Draft consent order provided to the parties. Government will submit a status report within 2 weeks. Petitioner's is released from the bond obligations. (Court Reporter ToniAnn Lucatorto.) (KM)

March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

Status Conference

March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

25

Second MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply by Executive Office For Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Hayes, Richard) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

ORDER granting 25 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply. Application granted. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 3/24/2026. (RJP)

March 24, 2026

March 24, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

March 24, 2026

March 24, 2026

26

Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

April 3, 2026

April 3, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

April 6, 2026

April 6, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

New York

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 8, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A noncitizen immigration detainee held without bond in federal custody while pursuing adjustment of status.

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

County

Nassau Correctional Center

Federal

Executive Office for Immigration Review

United States Department of Homeland Security

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Law-enforcement

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

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:

Eastern District of New York 2:25-cv-06773

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Habeas

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

Detention - procedures

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Habeas Corpus

Over/Unlawful Detention (facilities)

Recommended Citation