C.R. v. Mullin

Background

Y.C.R. filed a petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2241, a federal law that permits a person in detention to seek judicial review of the legality of that detention. The opinion does not describe the petition’s specific claims or decide whether Y.C.R.’s detention is lawful. Judge Ronnie Abrams stated that she was issuing the order in her capacity as the Part I judge and that the matter remains assigned to Judge Vargas.

Temporary restrictions

To preserve the court’s jurisdiction while the petition is pending, the court ordered that Y.C.R. may not be removed from the United States without a further court order. Respondents also may not transfer Y.C.R. except to a facility within the Southern District of New York, the Eastern District of New York, or the District of New Jersey, unless the court gives further permission.

Information respondents must provide

Within two business days of the order, respondents must file a letter stating:

- whether Y.C.R. was in the Southern District of New York when the petition was filed and, if not, where Y.C.R. was located and whether the case should be transferred there; - Y.C.R.’s A-number, current detention location, and a contact person who can facilitate counsel’s access; - whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement has received the order; - the statutory provisions respondents rely on to authorize detention; - if respondents rely on 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A), whether the case can be distinguished from Cunha v. Freden and whether respondents would consent to issuance of the writ while preserving their arguments for appeal; - any final removal order; and - information about the procedural status of any pending Department of Homeland Security or Executive Office for Immigration Review proceedings.

Next steps and disposition

The parties must appear for a case-management conference before the court on July 22, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., unless the case is terminated beforehand. Counsel must submit a joint letter by noon on July 21, 2026, addressing whether the conference is necessary and how the petition should proceed; if briefing is appropriate, they must propose a briefing schedule. Y.C.R.’s counsel must serve respondents with the petition, related papers, and the order and file proof of service. Respondents’ counsel must enter notices of appearance.

Judge Abrams’s order is an interim procedural order. It preserves the court’s ability to hear the petition and gathers information for further proceedings; it does not grant or deny the petition and does not decide the legality of Y.C.R.’s detention.