Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_08-cv-01066/USCOURTS-casd-3_08-cv-01066-0/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ROMEO FOMAI,

Petitioner,

CASE NO. 08cv1066 – IEG (RBB)

ORDER:

(1) GRANTING MOTION TO

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

(Doc. No. 2.);

(2) GRANTING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Doc. No. 3); and

(3) ORDERING RESPONDENTS

TO SHOW CAUSE WHY

PETITIONER’S REQUEST FOR

HABEAS CORPUS RELIEF

PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 2241

SHOULD NOT BE GRANTED

(Doc. No. 1). 

vs.

MICHAEL CHERTOFF, MICHAEL

MUKASEY, ROBIN F. BAKER, and JOHN

A. GARZON

Respondents.

Presently before the Court are a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

2241, a motion to proceed in forma pauperis, and a motion for appointment of counsel filed by Romeo

Fomai (“petitioner”). (Doc. Nos. 1-3.) Petitioner is a Western Samoan national and has been held in

immigration custody since December 11, 2006. (Id. at 3.) An immigration judge ordered petitioner

removed from the United States to Western Samoa on November 26, 2007. (Id.) Respondents have

been unable to obtain travel documents in the seven months since his final order of removal, and thus

petitioner argues his removal is not foreseeable and his continuing detention impermissible. (Id. at

Case 3:08-cv-01066-IEG-RBB Document 5 Filed 06/20/08 Page 1 of 2
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3.)

Based on the information contained in petitioner’s declaration and the certified copy of

petitioner’s trust account statement, the Court hereby GRANTS plaintiff’s motion for in forma

pauperis standing.

Petitioner also moves for appointment of counsel pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3006A. The Federal

Defenders of San Diego, Inc., is ready and able to assist petitioner in this matter. (James Fife

Declaration at 1-3.) Section 3006A(a)(2)(b) provides that when the Court determines that “the

interests of justice so require,” the Court may appoint counsel for financially eligible individuals who

are seeking relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2241. Having carefully considered the arguments raised in

petitioner’s motion, the Court finds the appointment of counsel is appropriate in this case. The Court

therefore GRANTS petitioner’s motion for appointment of counsel and APPOINTS Federal

Defenders of San Diego, Inc. to represent him.

Upon receipt of the petition, and finding that the matter is not appropriate for summary

disposition, the Court furthermore ORDERS respondents to show cause why the petition should not

be granted. Respondents shall have until July 28, 2008 to file and personally serve an answer to the

petition. Petitioner may file a traverse by no later than August 18, 2008. Unless the Court orders

otherwise, the matter will be taken under submission and decided without oral argument. Local Rule

7.1(d)(1). 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: June 20, 2008

IRMA E. GONZALEZ, Chief Judge

United States District Court

Case 3:08-cv-01066-IEG-RBB Document 5 Filed 06/20/08 Page 2 of 2