Flores-Delgado v. Lynch
Filing
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ORDER that the Report and Recommendation is accepted (Doc. 29 ), Petitioner's objections (Docs. 34 , 35 ) are overruled, and the Second Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 18 ) is DENIED. The Clerk of the Court shall enter judgm ent accordingly. FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioner's Motion for Expedited Release (Doc. 27 ) is DENIED. FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioner's Motion for Bond Hearing (Doc. 36 ) is DENIED. FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioner's Motion for Status (Doc. 37 ) is DENIED AS MOOT. IT IS FINALLY ORDERED that Petitioner's Motion for Decision Under 60 Day Rule (Doc. 38 ) is DENIED.. Signed by Senior Judge James A Teilborg on 5/17/2016. (KMG)
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA
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Gabriel Flores-Delgado,
Petitioner,
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ORDER
v.
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No. CV-15-01273-PHX-JAT
Loretta Lynch, et al.,
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Respondents.
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Pending before the Court is Petitioner Gabriel Flores-Delgado (Petitioner)’s
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Second Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 18), filed pursuant to 28
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U.S.C. § 2241. Also pending before the Court is Petitioner’s Motion for Expedite[d]
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Release (Doc. 27), Motion for Bond Hearing (Doc. 36), Motion for Status (Doc. 37), and
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Motion for Decision Under 60 Day Rule (Doc. 38). The Magistrate Judge to whom this
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case was assigned issued a Report and Recommendation (R&R) recommending that
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Petitioner’s Second Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus and Motion for
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Expedited Release be denied. (Doc. 29). Petitioner filed an Objection (Doc. 34) and a
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Second Amended Objection (Doc. 35) to the R&R.1
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I.
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STANDARD OF REVIEW FOR REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
The Court “may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or
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Although only Petitioner’s first objection (Doc. 34) was timely filed, the Court
will consider Petitioner’s amended objection (Doc. 35) as well where Petitioner is filing
pro se and the arguments put forth in this objection, nonetheless, do not alter the Court’s
analysis.
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recommendations made by the magistrate judge.” 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). It is “clear that
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the district judge must review the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendations de
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novo if objection is made, but not otherwise.” United States v. Reyna-Tapia, 328 F.3d
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1114, 1121 (9th Cir. 2003) (en banc) (emphasis in original); see also 28 U.S.C. §
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636(b)(1) (stating that “the court shall make a de novo determination of those portions of
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the report [and] recommendations to which objection is made”). Because Petitioner
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appears to have objected to each of the R&R’s recommendations, the Court will review
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those de novo.
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II.
BACKGROUND
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The R&R sets forth the relevant background information underlying this case. See
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(Doc. 29 at 1–7, 10). To the extent neither party appears to dispute the R&R’s procedural
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nor factual background, the Court will adopt the said account below as the basis for its
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review of Petitioner’s motions and objections. The R&R states:
On April 14, 2010, the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon, Marion
County, convicted Petitioner of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree. (Doc.
25, Ex. 1, Baeza Decl. at ¶ 6; Attachment B.) On April 15, 2010, Petitioner
was taken into the custody of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) and issued a Notice to Appear (NTA), alleging that Petitioner was
removable under Section 212(a)(6)(A)(i) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(6)(A)(i), as an alien present in
the United States without being admitted or paroled, or who arrived in the
United States at any time or place other than designated by the Attorney
General. (Doc. 25, Ex. 1, Baeza Decl. at ¶ 7, Attachment C.)
....
On August 11, 2011, Petitioner failed to appear for a hearing that
was scheduled before an [Immigration Judge (IJ)] in Seattle, Washington
and was ordered removed to Mexico in absentia. (Id., Attachment E.) On
August 27, 2011, ICE removed Petitioner to Mexico based on his final
order of removal. (Doc. 25, Ex. 1, Baeza Decl. at ¶ 11.)
On October 21, 2011, Petitioner filed a motion to reopen the removal
proceeding arguing that he failed to appear at the August 11, 2011 hearing
because he was in custody pursuant to a bench warrant. (Id. at ¶ 12,
Attachment F.) On November 8, 2011, an IJ granted Petitioner’s motion to
reopen that proceeding. (Id. at ¶ 13, Attachment G.) . . .
On March 9, 2012, Petitioner re-entered the United States at or near
Sasabe, Arizona, without inspection or parole by an immigration officer.
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(Id. at ¶ 14.) On March 11, 2012, Petitioner was detained and issued a
Notice of Intent/Decision to Reinstate Prior Order of Removal. (Id.)
On July 30, 2012, Petitioner was convicted in the United States
District Court for the District of Arizona of violating 19 U.S.C. §
1459(e)(1), Failure to Enter into the United States at a Designated Border
Crossing Point. (Id. at ¶ 15, Attachment H.) Petitioner was released to ICE
custody in Florence, Arizona, pursuant to an immigration detainer. (Doc.
25, Ex. 1 Baeza Decl. at ¶ 15.) On September 17, 2012, Petitioner appeared
before an IJ who reset the case to November 5, 2012. (Id. at ¶ 17.)
On October 19, 2012, DHS filed Additional Charges of
Inadmissibility/Deportability, charging Petitioner as removable under INA
§ 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I), 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2)(A)(i)(I), for having been
convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. (Id. at ¶ 18, Attachment I.)
On November 29, 2012, the IJ sustained the additional charge of
removability and found Petitioner ineligible to apply for cancellation of
removal. (Id. at ¶ 19.) The IJ also denied voluntary departure and ordered
Petitioner removed to Mexico. (Id., Attachment J.) Petitioner reserved his
right to appeal, and filed a timely appeal with the Board of Immigration
Appeals (BIA) . . . .
On October 18, 2013, Petitioner filed a petition for review of the
BIA’s September 23, 2013 decision [of removal] in the Ninth Circuit in
Case No. 13-73691. (Doc. 25, Ex. 1, Baeza Decl. at ¶ 31.) The Ninth
Circuit granted Petitioner a temporary stay of removal while his petition for
review remained pending. (Id., Attachment T) (footnote omitted).
On June 18, 2013, Petitioner filed another petition for review with
the Ninth Circuit in Case No. 13-72155. (Doc. 25, Ex. 1, Baeza Decl. at ¶
23, Attachment O.) This appeal is currently pending a decision. (Id.)
(footnote omitted). On March 19, 2014, the Ninth Circuit combined
Petitioner’s petitions for review in Case Nos. 13-72155 and 13-73691.
(Doc. 25, Ex. 1, Baeza Decl. at ¶ 35.) A temporary stay of removal is still in
effect. (Id.) . . .
On July 12, 2013, Petitioner’s custody status was reviewed and it
was determined that he should remain in custody. (Doc. 25, Ex. 1, Baeza
Decl. at ¶ 26.) On July 14, 2013, a Post Order Custody Review was
conducted. (Id. at ¶ 27.) On July 24, 2014 [sic], it was determined that
Petitioner should remain in custody. (Id.) (footnote omitted).
On October 4, 2013, Petitioner had a bond hearing before an IJ in
Florence, Arizona. (Id. at ¶ 30.) That same date, the IJ denied Petitioner’s
request for a change in custody based on his conclusion that Petitioner
represented a danger to the community and a flight risk. (Id. at ¶ 30,
Attachment S.) Petitioner reserved his right to appeal. (Id.) On October 23,
2013, Petitioner timely appealed the IJ’s October 4, 2013 decision to the
BIA. (Id. at ¶ 32.)
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Petitioner had another bond hearing in November 2013 before an IJ
in Florence, Arizona.[2] (Id. at ¶ 33, Attachment U.) In a November 15,
2013 decision, that was filed on November 18, 2013, the IJ denied
Petitioner’s request for bond based on his finding that Petitioner was a
danger to the community and a flight risk. (Id. at ¶ 33, Attachment U; Doc.
25, Ex. 2.) On February 7, 2014, the BIA affirmed the IJ’s November 18,
2013 decision. (Doc. 25, Ex.1, Baeza Decl. at ¶ 34, Attachment V.)
On April 25, 2014, Petitioner’s custody was reviewed by an IJ in
Florence, Arizona. His request for bond was denied based on the IJ’s
conclusion that Petitioner was a danger to the community and a flight risk.
(Doc. 25, Ex. 1, Baeza Decl. at ¶ 36, Attachment W.) On May 14, 2014,
Petitioner appealed the IJ’s decision denying him bond to the BIA. (Id. at ¶
38.) On December 19, 2014, the BIA adopted and affirmed the IJ’s April
25, 2014 order denying Petitioner’s request for a change in custody status.
(Id. at ¶ 40, Attachment X.) In its decision, the BIA agreed with the IJ that
Petitioner failed to present materially changed circumstances since the prior
bond order, and that he remained both a danger to the community and a
flight risk. (Doc. 25, Attachment X.)
On January 12, 2015, Petitioner’s custody status was reviewed by an
IJ in Florence, Arizona. (Doc. 25, Ex. 1, Baeza Decl. at ¶ 41.) That same
day, the IJ denied Petitioner’s request for bond based on his finding that
Petitioner was a danger to community and a flight risk. (Doc. 25, Ex. 1,
Baeza Decl., Attachment Z.)
On July 17, 2015, Petitioner filed a “request for a bond hearing
pursuant to Casas-Castrillon.”3 (Id. at ¶ 46.) On August 31, 2015, an IJ in
Eloy, Arizona denied Petitioner’s request for another bond hearing. (Id. at ¶
46, Attachment BB.) Petitioner appealed that decision to the BIA. (Id. at
46.) That appeal was pending as of the date the government filed its
response. (Id. at ¶ 46, Attachment CC.)
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As the Magistrate Judge correctly observed, see (Doc. 29 at 9), the Baeza
declaration states that Petitioner had bond hearings on both October 4, 2013 and
November 18, 2013. (Doc. 25-1 at 3). But the IJ’s November 15, 2013 order, that was
filed on November 18, 2013, refers to the October 4, 2013 bond hearing, and does not
mention another hearing in November 2013. (Doc. 25-3 at 6). The Court construes the
procedural history to reflect that Petitioner had one bond hearing on October 4, 2013.
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The Baeza declaration refers to the April 25, 2014 and January 12, 2015
proceedings as “bond hearings.” (Doc. 25, Ex. 1, Baeza Decl. at ¶¶ 36, 41.) However,
Respondents’ briefing does not characterize these proceedings as bond hearings under
Casas-Castrillon v. Dep’t. of Homeland Security, 535 F.3d 942, 948 (9th Cir. 2008) . . . .
[The Court agrees with Respondents that these proceedings are properly characterized not
as bond hearings, but as custody reviews.]
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. . . . [Here, the R&R discusses Petitioner’s request for a UNonimmigrant Status Visa (U Visa) filed with the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services.4]
On August 31, 2015, Petitioner filed his pending [habeas] Petition
raising three grounds for relief. (Doc. 18.) In Grounds One and Three,
Petitioner alleges that his prolonged detention while his petition for review
is pending before the Ninth Circuit violates his right to procedural and
substantive due process. (Doc. 1 at 4, 6.) In Ground Two, Petitioner simply
states “Denial of Bond.” (Doc. 1 at 5.)
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(Doc. 29 at 2–7). Having stated the procedural and factual background relevant to the
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instant matter, the Court will now identify the legal standard to be applied to Petitioner’s
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motions and requests.
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III.
LEGAL STANDARD
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Title 8, Section 1226 of the United States Code grants the Attorney General
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permissive authority to arrest and detain an alien pending a decision whether the alien is
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to be removed from the United States. 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a). Because the government
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retains an interest in assuring an alien’s whereabouts, or presence, should a court order an
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alien’s removal, it is reasonable for the government to detain the alien while he or she
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seeks judicial relief. See Prieto-Romero v. Clark, 534 F.3d 1053, 1065 (9th Cir. 2008);
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Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678, 689 (2001). To be sure, discretionary detention
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authority pursuant to § 1226(a) is limited to the “period reasonably necessary to bring
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about [an] alien’s removal from the United States.” Prieto-Romero, 534 F.3d at 1065
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(citing Zadvydas, 533 U.S. at 689). The Ninth Circuit has held that the government may
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detain an alien who has been “subjected to a prolonged detention pending judicial
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review” of removal proceedings as long as the government provides “adequate
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procedural protections.” Casas-Castrillon, 535 F.3d at 948, 950. Furthermore, the Ninth
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Circuit has held that “‘adequate procedural protections’” requires that the “government’s
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asserted
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constitutionally protected interest in avoiding physical restraint.’” Prieto-Romero, 534
justification
for
physical
confinement
‘outweighs
the
individual’s
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The Court will not review the factual background or procedural history of the U
Visa Petition because this Court does not have jurisdiction over that matter.
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F.3d at 1065 (quoting Zadvydas, 533 U.S. at 690–91); see also Casas-Castrillon, 535
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F.3d at 951 (holding that an alien must be provided with an adequate opportunity to
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contest the necessity of his prolonged detention).
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Namely, the Attorney General must provide an alien who has been detained for a
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prolonged period of time pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) an individualized bond hearing
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before an IJ. Casas-Castrillon, 535 F.3d at 951. Accordingly, because serious
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constitutional concerns exist where a statute may allow indefinite deprivation of human
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liberty, Zadvydas, 533 U.S. at 692, “an alien is entitled to release on bond unless the
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government establishes that he is a flight risk or will be a danger to the community,”
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Casas-Castrillon, 535 F.3d at 948 (internal quotations and citation omitted). Importantly,
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8 U.S.C. § 1226(e) states that an IJ’s discretionary determination on this point is
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nonreviewable:
The Attorney General’s discretionary judgment regarding [an alien’s
detention and release under] this section shall not be subject to review. No
court may set aside any action or decision by the Attorney General under
this section regarding the detention or release of any alien or the grant,
revocation, or denial of bond or parole.
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8 U.S.C. § 1226(e). Pertinent to this case, such nonreviewable “discretionary judgment”
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of the Attorney General exists from the time when Federal Circuit Courts issue a stay
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pending review of an administratively final order of removal until the time when Circuit
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Courts render a decision and withdraw the stay of removal. Prieto-Romero, 534 F.3d at
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1058–59. Following an initial bond redetermination, “an alien’s request for a subsequent
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bond redetermination shall be made in writing and shall be considered only upon a
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showing that the alien’s circumstances have changed materially since the prior bond
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redetermination.” 8 C.F.R. § 1003.19(e).
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IV.
DISCUSSION
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First, the Court will discuss whether Petitioner is entitled to another bond hearing,
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including consideration of Petitioner’s objections to the R&R’s recommended denial of a
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bond hearing. Second, the Court will analyze whether Petitioner’s detention is authorized
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by statute and in accordance with his substantive and procedural due process rights,
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including consideration of the due process claims Petitioner raises in objection to the
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R&R. Third, the Court will address Petitioner’s motion for expedited release. Lastly, the
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Court will consider Petitioner’s motion for decision.
Bond Hearing5 and Custody Redetermination
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A.
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Petitioner argues that he is entitled to a bond hearing because he has been in
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custody for a prolonged period of time, approximately forty-eight months. See (Doc. 18
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at 4, 6; Doc. 35 at 1). However, Petitioner was afforded an individualized bond hearing
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before an IJ in Florence, Arizona, on October 4, 2013, see (Doc. 25-1, Attach. S at 2),
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which was reconsidered on November 15, 2013, see (Doc. 25-3). Furthermore,
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Petitioner’s custody status has been reviewed by either an IJ or the BIA on at least five
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occasions since his removal was temporarily stayed by the Ninth Circuit. See (Doc. 25-1,
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Attachs. V, W, X, Z, BB).
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At Petitioner’s bond hearing, the IJ found that Petitioner was a “danger [to the
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community] and [a] flight risk,” denying his release. (Doc. 25-1, Attach. S at 2). See
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Casas-Castrillon, 535 F.3d at 948 (9th Cir. 2008); see also Tijani v. Willis, 430 F.3d
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1241, 1242 (9th Cir. 2005) (holding that an alien is not entitled to release on bond if the
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“government establishes that he is a flight risk or will be a danger to the community”). In
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denying Petitioner’s further requests for a change in his custody status, both the BIA and
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IJ referenced that Petitioner failed to present materially changed circumstances since his
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prior bond hearings and that he continued to remain a danger to the community and a
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flight risk. (Doc. 25-1, Attachs. X at 3, BB at 3–4).
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It appears that in attempts either to satisfy this requirement of materially changed
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circumstances, see (Doc. 26 at 2), or to raise objections to the R&R, see (Doc. 34-1 at 3),
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Petitioner argues for his actual innocence of his sexual abuse conviction. Specifically,
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As stated previously, Petitioner’s second ground for relief in his habeas petition
simply states “Denial of Bond.” (Doc. 18 at 5). Thus, Petitioner appears to challenge the
denial of bond. But as the Magistrate Judge correctly notes, “[c]onclusory allegations
which are not supported by a statement of specific facts do not warrant habeas relief.”
James v. Borg, 24 F.3d 20, 26 (9th Cir. 1994). Nonetheless, the Court will consider de
novo Petitioner’s arguments for his entitlement to a bond hearing raised in objection to
the R&R and in subsequent motions. See (Docs. 34–36).
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Petitioner argues that he does not pose a danger to the community because the victim of
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his sexual abuse purportedly stated to the Police that her and Petitioner’s sexual
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encounter was consensual. See (Id.) Furthermore, Petitioner claims that the victim’s
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statements to the police that she was acting out of “resentment and spite” due to
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Petitioner carrying on sexual relationships with other women is proof of his actual
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innocence. (Doc. 34 at 9 (citing Doc. 34-1 at 3)). Petitioner’s arguments go to the merits
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of Petitioner’s sexual abuse conviction; they do not constitute evidence of a material
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change in circumstances justifying another bond hearing. Indeed, Petitioner pleaded no
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contest to sexual abuse in the second degree and was convicted. Thus, this conviction
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remains relevant to the IJ’s and BIA’s determinations that Petitioner posed a danger to
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the community.6 Furthermore, Petitioner’s claim that due to the victim’s statements he is
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exonerated from his conviction of a crime of moral turpitude ultimately goes toward
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issues of his removability or deportability, not his entitlement to another bond hearing.
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See Carty v. Ashcroft, 395 F.3d 1081, 1083 (9th Cir. 2005) (holding crimes of moral
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turpitude, which include grave acts involving baseness or depravity, warrant removal or
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deportation pursuant to INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(ii)).
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Petitioner also moves the Court for a bond hearing in order that he might be
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reunited with his family, whom Petitioner has been separated from for approximately the
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last forty-eight months. See (Doc. 18 at 4, 6; Doc. 36 at 1). Petitioner has submitted his
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son’s medical, psychological, and education records with his motion for a bond hearing
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that was filed on February 16, 2016. See (Doc. 36 at 2–11). These records detail his son’s
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diagnosis of and recommended treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.7 Id.
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Likely contrary to Petitioner’s intentions, the authority he cites in support of his
contention that he does not pose a danger to the community tends to support, not
undercut, the IJ’s findings. For example, Alarcon-Serrano v Immigration and
Naturalization Serv., 220 F.3d 1116, 1119 (9th Cir. 2000) holds that a conviction is not
required for an IJ to find that an alien poses a danger to the community. Rather, it is
sufficient if an IJ “knows or has reason to believe” that the alien was engaged in illegal
activity. Id. Thus, a conviction, moreover a charge of the gravity of sexual abuse,
supports to an even greater extent the IJ’s finding of Petitioner posing a danger to the
community.
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Notably, Petitioner’s son’s medical, psychological, and education records that he
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Pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1254(a)(1), hardship to a citizen or permanent resident child may
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be sufficient to warrant suspension of the parents’ deportation. Cerrillo-Perez v. I.N.S.,
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809 F.2d 1419, 1422 (9th Cir. 1987). Namely, preservation of family unity is one factor
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courts will consider in making a hardship determination within a deportation proceeding.
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Id. at 1423. However, Petitioner’s deportation proceedings are not before this Court and
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there is no legal authority that suggests preservation of family unity is a factor to be
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considered in a motion for a bond hearing by a petitioner seeking habeas relief under §
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2241. Thus, although it appears that Petitioner’s children are United States citizens, see
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(Doc. 25-1, Attach. A at 3), and that Petitioner’s family unity may be a relevant
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consideration in a deportation determination, the Court will not take into account this
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factor in Petitioner’s motion for a bond hearing.
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Accordingly, the Court will deny Petitioner’s motions for another bond hearing
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because Petitioner has already been afforded an individualized bond hearing in
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accordance with Casas-Castrillon. See (Doc. 25-1, Attach. S at 2). Furthermore, the
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evidence Petitioner has put forth fails to demonstrate the requisite material change in
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circumstances to warrant another bond hearing determination—that he no longer poses a
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danger to the community or a flight risk. Moreover, the IJ’s discretionary decisions
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granting or denying bond are not subject to judicial review, see 8 U.S.C. § 1226(e)
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(stating that the Attorney General’s discretionary judgment regarding detention of an
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alien “shall not be subject to review”); Prieto-Romero, 534 F.3d at 1058 (holding that an
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“alien may appeal the IJ’s bond decision to the BIA . . . but discretionary decisions
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granting or denying bond are not subject to judicial review”).
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B.
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Petitioner alleges that his continued detention while he awaits a decision of his
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appeal before the Ninth Circuit “is not authorized by any statute” and “violates both his
Due Process Violations
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submitted all appear to be from institutions in Mexico. See (Doc. 36 at 2–11).Thus,
Petitioner gives the impression that his son, at the very least, receives medical care and
attends school in Mexico. If Petitioner is seeking bond in order to be reunited with his
children (seemingly in Mexico), it would tend to support the IJ’s and BIA’s findings that
Petitioner is a flight risk. See (Doc. 29 at 5–6).
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substantive and procedural due process rights.” See (Doc. 18 at 4, 6). However, the Court
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agrees with the R&R’s recommendation that Petitioner’s detention is authorized by §
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1226(a), which allows the Attorney General to detain an alien “pending a decision on
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whether the alien is to be removed from the United States.” 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a); see also
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Casas-Castrillon, 535 F.3d at 948. Although Petitioner’s custody has spanned a time
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period of several years, Petitioner’s procedural and substantive due process rights have
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not been violated. See Casas-Castrillon, 535 F.3d at 951. Importantly, as stated
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previously, Petitioner received an individualized bond hearing before an IJ in accordance
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with Casas-Castrillon on October 4, 2013 and the IJ found Petitioner posed a flight risk
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and danger to the community. (Doc. 25-3 at 9–12). The IJ stated that the government had
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met its burden of establishing by clear and convincing evidence that Petitioner should not
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be released pending judicial review of the BIA’s order of removal. (Id. at 12). The
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primary evidence the IJ relied upon in his determination was Petitioner’s criminal history
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(including criminal charges or convictions for forcible sodomy, assault, domestic
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violence, theft, and identity theft), “his history of failing to comply with immigration
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orders, his limited ties to the United States, and a disincentive for him to appear given the
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apparent weakness of his case.” (Doc. 29 at 9 (citing Doc. 25-3 at 11–12)). To the extent
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that Petitioner appears to challenge the merits of the IJ’s and BIA’s findings that he posed
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a flight risk and a danger to the community, as stated previously, the Court does not have
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authority to review the IJ’s discretionary judgment regarding a petitioner’s detention or
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release. See 8 U.S.C. § 1226(e).
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Additionally, Petitioner has received copious other custody reviews. As mentioned
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supra, either an IJ or the BIA has reviewed Petitioner’s custody status on at least five
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occasions since his removal was temporarily stayed by the Ninth Circuit. See (Doc. 25-1,
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Attachs. V, W, X, Z, BB). Most recently, on August 31, 2015, an IJ considered and
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denied Petitioner’s further request for another bond hearing (Doc. 25-1, Attach. BB at 3–
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4). The IJ reasoned that Petitioner failed to demonstrate, or even argue as is his burden,
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that his circumstances had materially changed. (Id.) For the same reasons as set forth in
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the Court’s analysis above regarding a bond hearing, the Court finds that Petitioner’s
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continued detention does not violate his procedural or substantive due process rights.
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In his objections to the R&R, Petitioner appears to claim several other alleged due
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process violations. See (Docs. 34, 35). First, Petitioner alleges he is being subjected to
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double jeopardy. (Doc. 35 at 11). Second, Petitioner alleges Border Patrol Officers
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physically abused him, using excessive force. (Id. at 13).
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As to Petitioner’s first charge, Petitioner has not been subjected to double
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jeopardy. See U.S. Const. amend. V (“[n]o person shall be subject for the same offence to
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be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb”). Here, Petitioner seems to be referencing
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statements contained in the R&R that “[o]n October 19, 2012, DHS filed Additional
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Charges of Inadmissibility/Deportability, charging Petitioner as removable . . . for having
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been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude”, (Doc. 29 at 3), and the IJ’s
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consideration of dismissed charges against Petitioner for assault, theft, and identity theft
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as relevant criminal history, (Doc. 25-3 at 9–11). On the contrary, Petitioner has not been
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prosecuted twice for any crime. DHS merely filed additional grounds for which Petitioner
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was subject to removal; specifically his reentry to the United States without inspection or
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parole by an immigration officer and his conviction of failing to enter the country at a
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designated border crossing point. Furthermore, Petitioner is not being subjected to double
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jeopardy by virtue of the IJ citing his Oregon state criminal conviction for sexual abuse in
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the second degree and his dismissed charges of assault, theft, and identity theft in his
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bond hearing determination. Instead, as discussed supra, Petitioner’s conviction and
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criminal charges are deemed relevant evidence regarding a determination of the potential
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danger he poses to the community. See Casas-Castrillon, 535 F.3d at 948; Alarcon-
24
Serrano, 220 F.3d at 1119.
25
As to Petitioner’s second charge, alleged physical abuse by law enforcement
26
officers is unrelated to whether Petitioner has been afforded adequate procedural
27
protections to ensure that his prolonged detention is justified. See Prieto-Romero, 534
28
F.3d at 1065 (holding that appropriate factors for consideration of whether prolonged
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1
detention is justified relate to a petitioner’s dangerousness and risk of flight). For these
2
reasons, the Court finds that Petitioner’s continued detention is not unlawful and that his
3
due process rights have not been violated.
4
C.
5
After the habeas petition (Doc. 18) was fully briefed, Petitioner filed a motion for
6
expedited release under 28 U.S.C. § 1254(a). See (Doc. 27). The motion states that
7
Petitioner appeals the IJ’s denial of cancellation of removal and appears to raise nearly
8
identical challenges to Petitioner’s detention as he asserted in the pending habeas
9
petition, which the Court has already addressed above. Thus, the Court will deny the
10
Motion for Expedited Release
motion for the expedited release.
11
D.
12
Most recently on April 25, 2016, Petitioner filed a “60 days Rule” motion for
13
habeas relief under 8 C.F.R. § 1241.13–14.8 (Doc. 38). Section 1241.14 that Petitioner
14
cites does not apply to his continued detention because it governs “Post-Hearing
15
Detention and Removal,” where “there is no significant likelihood of removal in the
16
reasonably foreseeable future.” 8 C.F.R. § 1241.14. Conversely, Petitioner is being
17
detained pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) precisely for the purpose that when the Ninth
18
Circuit rules on his appeal in the reasonably foreseeable future, his whereabouts are
19
known should his order of removal be affirmed. See Prieto-Romero, 534 F.3d at 1065. In
20
a like vein, § 1241.13 that Petitioner cites does not apply to his current circumstances
21
because it only governs review procedures for aliens that “would not pose a danger to the
22
public or a risk of flight,” but the IJ found and the BIA affirmed that the government met
23
its burden of establishing that Petitioner does pose such risks. Thus, because the
24
provisions that Petitioner cites are inapposite to his instant case of detention by virtue of
Motion for Decision Under 60 Day Rule
25
26
27
28
8
In this motion, Petitioner also refers to “C.F.R. § 1241.3(b)(2)(ii).” (Doc. 38 at
2). However, this subsection of the provision only applies to deportation proceedings
commenced before April 1, 1997. C.F.R. § 1241.3(b)(2)(ii). Clearly, all of Petitioner’s
immigration and removal proceedings commenced after that date and the Court is not
reviewing Petitioner’s detention post a deportation hearing. Therefore, this subsection of
the provision is inapplicable.
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1
his appeal to the Ninth Circuit of an administratively final order of removal, the Court
2
finds Petitioner’s Motion for “60 days Rule” lacks merit and the Court will deny the
3
motion.
4
V.
CONCLUSION
5
Based on the foregoing,
6
IT IS ORDERED that the Report and Recommendation is accepted (Doc. 29),
7
Petitioner’s objections (Docs. 34, 35) are overruled, and the Second Amended Petition
8
for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 18) is DENIED. The Clerk of the Court shall enter
9
judgment accordingly.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioner’s Motion for Expedited Release
(Doc. 27) is DENIED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioner’s Motion for Bond Hearing (Doc.
36) is DENIED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioner’s Motion for Status (Doc. 37) is
DENIED AS MOOT.9
IT IS FINALLY ORDERED that Petitioner’s Motion for Decision Under 60 Day
Rule (Doc. 38) is DENIED.
Dated this 17th day of May, 2016.
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
9
This Order constitutes notification of the status of Petitioner’s motions and
requests before the Court, rendering Petitioner’s motion for status moot.
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