Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_10-cv-00152/USCOURTS-azd-2_10-cv-00152-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 463
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause of Action: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Federal)

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JKM

WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Jorge Sanchez-Lopez, 

Petitioner,

vs.

Janet Napolitano, et al., 

Respondents.

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No. CV 10-0152-PHX-DGC (MEA)

ORDER

Petitioner Jorge Sanchez-Lopez (A017-285-707), who is represented by counsel, has

filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus and Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive

Relief (Temporary Restraining Order). (Doc. #1.) The Court will deny Petitioner’s request

for a temporary restraining order and require Respondents to answer the Petition.

I. Petition

Petitioner is a native and citizen of Mexico, who has been a lawful permanent resident

of the United States since 1966. On November 1, 1980, Petitioner was convicted of assault

with intent to rape in violation of California Penal Code § 220 for which he was sentenced

to four years imprisonment. On April 26, 2000, Petitioner was convicted of driving with a

suspended license and failure to appear for which he was sentenced to 30 days in the

Maricopa County jail. 

On July 22, 2009, Petitioner was served with a Notice to Appear charging that he is

removable under 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(iii) on the grounds that his California conviction is

an aggravated felony. An Immigration Judge (IJ) subsequently denied Petitioner’s request

Case 2:10-cv-00152-DGC Document 5 Filed 03/24/10 Page 1 of 3
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Petitioner failed to file a separate written motion and memorandum in support of his

request for emergency release from custody as required by Rule 7(b) of the Federal Rules of

Civil Procedure and Rule 7.2 of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure.

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for release on bond. The IJ apparently determined that he lacked jurisdiction to release

Petitioner because he is subject to mandatory detention under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(c). It is

unclear whether Petitioner appealed the IJ’s bond decision to the Board of Immigration

Appeals.

Petitioner argues that his convictions do not qualify him for mandatory detention

under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(c). He seeks his immediate release from detention, an order declaring

that his detention is unlawful, an order directing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to

release him on conditions set by an IJ, and other relief. The Court will require Respondents

to answer the Petition.

II. Request for a Temporary Restraining Order

Petitioner also seeks an emergency temporary restraining order directing Respondents

to immediately release him from detention.1

 But Petitioner has failed to demonstrate that

“specific facts in an affidavit or a verified complaint clearly show that immediate and

irreparable injury, loss or damage will result before [Respondents] can be heard in

opposition.” FED.R.CIV.P. 65(b)(1)(A). Additionally, upon the record currently before the

Court, it is not plain that the merits of Petitioner’s claims are so strong as to warrant either

expedited adjudication or immediate relief from his current detention. See In re Roe, 257

F.3d 1077, 1081 (9th Cir. 2001) (declining to resolve issue of whether a district court has the

authority to release a prisoner pending resolution of a habeas case, but holding that if such

authority does exist, it can only be exercised in an “extraordinary case involving special

circumstances”). Accordingly, Petitioner’s request for a temporary restraining order will be

denied.

IT IS ORDERED:

(1) Petitioner’s request for a temporary restraining order is denied without

prejudice.

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(2) The Clerk of Court must serve a copy of the Summons, Petition (Doc. #1), and

this Order upon the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona by certified mail

addressed to the civil process clerk at the office of the United States Attorney pursuant to

Rule 4(i)(1)(A) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Clerk of Court also must send

by certified mail a copy of the Summons, Petition and this Order to the United States

Attorney General pursuant to Rule 4(i)(1)(B) and to Respondents pursuant to Rule 4(i)(2).

(3) Respondents must answer the Petition within 20 days of the date of service.

Respondents must not file a dispositive motion in place of an answer without first showing

cause as to why an answer is inadequate.

(4) Petitioner may file a reply within 20 days from the date of service of the

answer.

(5) This matter is referred to Magistrate Judge Mark E. Aspey pursuant to Rules

72.1 and 72.2 of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure for further proceedings and a report and

recommendation.

DATED this 24th day of March, 2010.

Case 2:10-cv-00152-DGC Document 5 Filed 03/24/10 Page 3 of 3