Case: Conejo Arias v. Noem

26-cv-00415 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Filed Date: Jan. 24, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On January 22, 2026, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took a 5-year-old boy into custody with his father in Minnesota. The 5-year-old was apprehended by immigration officials shortly after arriving home from preschool while his father was in their driveway. Officials from the child's school allege that ICE took the child out of the running vehicle and directed him to knock on the door to see if his mother was home, "essentially using a 5-year-old as bait." Following these events, both…

On January 22, 2026, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took a 5-year-old boy into custody with his father in Minnesota. The 5-year-old was apprehended by immigration officials shortly after arriving home from preschool while his father was in their driveway. Officials from the child's school allege that ICE took the child out of the running vehicle and directed him to knock on the door to see if his mother was home, "essentially using a 5-year-old as bait." Following these events, both the child and his father were detained in the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Dilley, Texas.

Two days later, the child, through his father, filed an emergency petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. That same day, the petitioner moved for a temporary restraining order, and a preliminary injunction. Judge Fred Biery is presiding over the case.

On January 26, Judge Biery ordered the government to file a response to the petition and the motion for preliminary relief within five days. The court barred any transfer of the petitioner to outside the judicial district during the pendency of the litigation.

Days later, on January 31, 2026, the court issued an opinion and judgment granting petitioners' writ and and release from detention. Judge Biery ordered respondents to release both Adrian Conejo Arias and L.C.R. from custody no later Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Said order mandated appropriate conditions of release no more restrictive than those in place prior to the detention at issue in this case. Following the opinion, the clerk of court was directed to close the case.

This case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Jinan Abufarha (1/30/2026)

Ben Hefter (2/20/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72314466/parties/bryant-v-portfolio-recovery-associates-llc/


Judge(s)

Biery, Samuel Frederick (Texas)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Kruger, Mary F. (Texas)

McAndrew, Lacy L. (Texas)

Scarborough, Jennifer (Texas)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
10

26-cv-00415

Judgment

Jan. 31, 2026

Jan. 31, 2026

Order/Opinion
9

26-cv-00415

Opinion and Order to the Court

Jan. 31, 2026

Jan. 31, 2026

Order/Opinion

2026 WL 255706

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72314466/bryant-v-portfolio-recovery-associates-llc/

Last updated June 2, 2026, 3:38 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus ( Filing fee $ 5 receipt number ATXWDC-21269760), filed by Adrian Conejo Arias, L. C.R.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit Parole I-94s for Petitioners, # 3 Exhibit Notice to Appear for Petitioners, # 4 Exhibit ICE Policy Detention of Families)(Scarborough, Jennifer) (Entered: 01/24/2026)

Jan. 24, 2026

Jan. 24, 2026

2

MOTION for Order to Show Cause Emergency, MOTION to Expedite Emergency by L. C.R., Adrian Conejo Arias. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Scarborough, Jennifer) (Entered: 01/24/2026)

Jan. 24, 2026

Jan. 24, 2026

3

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order Emergency, MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Emergency, MOTION to Expedite by L. C.R., Adrian Conejo Arias. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Scarborough, Jennifer) (Entered: 01/24/2026)

Jan. 24, 2026

Jan. 24, 2026

Case assigned to Judge Fred Biery. CM WILL NOW REFLECT THE JUDGE INITIALS AS PART OF THE CASE NUMBER. PLEASE APPEND THESE JUDGE INITIALS TO THE CASE NUMBER ON EACH DOCUMENT THAT YOU FILE IN THIS CASE. (rqr)

Jan. 24, 2026

Jan. 24, 2026

If ordered by the court, all referrals will be assigned to Magistrate Judge Bemporad (rqr)

Jan. 24, 2026

Jan. 24, 2026

4

ORDER FOR SERVICE AND FURTHER ORDERS OF THE COURT--IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the District Clerk shall furnish the Office of the United States Attorney in San Antonio, Texas, with copies of the Emergency Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (ECF No. 1) and this Order. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of Court shall serve the Respondent, Warden, Dilley Immigration Processing Center, with copies of the Emergency Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (ECF No. 1) and this Order. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents shall file a response to the Petition within five (5) days of the date of service. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any possible or anticipated removal or transfer of Petitioners Adrian Conejo Arias and L.C.R., a minor child, is IMMEDIATELY STAYED until further order from this Court. Respondents SHALL NOT TRANSFER Petitioners Adrian Conejo Arias and L.C.R., a minor child, outside of this judicial district during the pendency of this litigation and until further Order of this Court.. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (vl) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

RECAP
5

AMENDED ORDER FOR SERVICE AND FURTHER ORDERS OF THE COURT--IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the District Clerk shall furnish the Office of the United States Attorney in San Antonio, Texas, with copies of the Emergency Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus(ECF No. 1); Petitioners Motion to Show Cause (ECF No. 2); Petitioners Emergency Motion For Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order (ECF No. 3); and this Order. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of Court shall serve the Respondent, Warden, Dilley Immigration Processing Center, with copies of the Emergency Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (ECF No. 1); Petitioners Motion to Show Cause (ECF No. 2); Petitioners Emergency Motion ForPreliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order (ECF No. 3); and this Order. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents shall file a response to the Petition and motions within five (5) days of the date of service.. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (vl) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

RECAP

Case assigned to Judge Fred Biery. CM WILL NOW REFLECT THE JUDGE INITIALS AS PART OF THE CASE NUMBER. PLEASE APPEND THESE JUDGE INITIALS TO THE CASE NUMBER ON EACH DOCUMENT THAT YOU FILE IN THIS CASE. (rqr)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

To be Referred to SA Mag Judge

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

If ordered by the court, all referrals will be assigned to Magistrate Judge Bemporad (rqr)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

6

Certified Mail Receipt of 5 Order,,, 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, 3 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order Emergency MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Emergency MOTION to Expedite, 2 MOTION for Order to Show Cause Emergency MOTION to Expedite Emergency (vl) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

Jan. 27, 2026

Jan. 27, 2026

7

ORDER REQUIRING RESPONSE FROM RESPONDENTS--Respondents are HEREBY ORDERED to file a response and provide a courtesycopybyemailto the Courts Courtroom Deputy on or before 3 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (mgr) (Entered: 01/29/2026)

Jan. 29, 2026

Jan. 29, 2026

RECAP
8

RESPONSE Federal Respondents Response to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Pamela Bondi, Todd Lyons, Daren K. Margolin, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Cordova, Anne Marie) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

9

OPINION AND ORDER OF THE COURT--The Court finds that the Constitution of these United States trumps this administration's detention of petitioner Adrian Conejo Arias and his minor son, L.C.R. The Great Writ and release from detention are GRANTED pursuant to the attached Judgment. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (nm) (Main Document 9 replaced on 1/31/2026) (nm). (Entered: 01/31/2026)

Jan. 31, 2026

Jan. 31, 2026

Clearinghouse
10

JUDGMENT--Respondents are DIRECTED to RELEASE Petitioners Adrian Conejo Arias, and L.C.R., a Minor Child, from custody, under appropriate conditions of release no more restrictive than those in place prior to the detention at issue in this case, to a public place as soon as practicable, but in any event, no later Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The Clerk is DIRECTED to CLOSE this case. Signed by Judge Fred Biery. (nm) (Entered: 01/31/2026)

Jan. 31, 2026

Jan. 31, 2026

Clearinghouse
11

STATUS REPORT by L. C.R., Adrian Conejo Arias. (Scarborough, Jennifer) (Entered: 02/02/2026)

Feb. 2, 2026

Feb. 2, 2026

12

STATUS REPORT Federal Respondents Status Report by Pamela Bondi, Todd Lyons, Daren K. Margolin, Kristi Noem. (Cordova, Anne Marie) (Entered: 02/04/2026)

Feb. 4, 2026

Feb. 4, 2026

13

Certified Mail Receipt returned as delivered of 6 Certified Mail Receipt, (vl) (Entered: 02/10/2026)

Feb. 4, 2026

Feb. 4, 2026

1

Complaint

Feb. 23, 2026

Feb. 23, 2026

2

Request for Issuance of Summons

Feb. 23, 2026

Feb. 23, 2026

3

Order Referring Case to Magistrate Judge

Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

4

Summons Issued

Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

Jury Demand

Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

To be Referred to AU Mag Judge

Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

5

Waiver of Service Executed

March 2, 2026

March 2, 2026

7

Waiver of Service Executed

March 4, 2026

March 4, 2026

8

Notice of Attorney Appearance

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

9

Extension of Time to File Answer

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

10

Disclosure Statement (Rule 7)

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026

Set/Reset Answer Deadline

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

11

Summons Returned Executed

March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026

12

Notice of Settlement

March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026

13

Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines/Hearings

March 19, 2026

March 19, 2026

14

Notice of Attorney Appearance

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

15

Answer to Complaint

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

16

Disclosure Statement (Rule 7)

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

17

Notice

March 26, 2026

March 26, 2026

18

Summons Returned Executed

March 31, 2026

March 31, 2026

19

Notice of Settlement

April 3, 2026

April 3, 2026

20

Order Staying Case AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

April 7, 2026

April 7, 2026

21

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal

April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

22

Order AND ~Util - Terminate Parties

April 13, 2026

April 13, 2026

23

Notice of Settlement

April 14, 2026

April 14, 2026

24

Order

April 15, 2026

April 15, 2026

25

Notice of Settlement

April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

26

Order Staying Case AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026

27

Notice of Settlement

April 28, 2026

April 28, 2026

28

Order

May 4, 2026

May 4, 2026

29

Stipulation of Dismissal

May 6, 2026

May 6, 2026

30

Order AND ~Util - Terminate Parties

May 12, 2026

May 12, 2026

31

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal

May 20, 2026

May 20, 2026

32

Order AND ~Util - Terminate Parties

May 28, 2026

May 28, 2026

33

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal

June 1, 2026

June 1, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Texas

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Operation Metro Surge

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 24, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The petitioner is a 5-year-old boy filing through his father.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

County

John Doe

Federal

Daren Margolin

Kristi Noem

Pamela Bondi

Todd Lyons

Case Details

Causes of Action:

All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651

Other Dockets:

Western District of Texas 26-cv-00415

Special Case Type(s):

Habeas

Available Documents:

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Sought:

Habeas

Relief Granted:

Habeas relief

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Release from detention/imprisonment

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Detention - criteria

Detention - procedures

Recommended Citation