Man re-detained by ICE nearly seven months after misdemeanor conviction wins release
Ruben Sanchez Varela was previously released into the U.S. on a Form I-220A in September 2021, which required him not to violate any local, state, or federal laws. He was re-detained by ICE on June 29, 2026 after having been arrested and convicted multiple times, with his most recent conviction being a misdemeanor in February 2025. Although his criminal record came to ICE's attention on December 5, 2025, the agency did not detain him until nearly seven months later. He was held at the California City Detention Facility. Respondents argued his detention was authorized under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A), but the court found this statute does not apply to someone already released into the U.S. for violating release conditions. Sanchez Varela filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus and a motion for temporary restraining order, arguing the government failed to provide a pre-deprivation bond hearing before a neutral arbiter as required by due process. The court granted the petition, finding Respondents failed to distinguish the case from prior rulings requiring such hearings, and ordered his immediate release with the same conditions as before his detention, requiring seven days' notice and a bond hearing before any future re-detention.









































