A man was held in immigration detention at the California City Detention Facility while facing removal proceedings. He filed a habeas petition arguing that, because he had been living in the United States without formal admission, he was subject only to discretionary detention and entitled to a bond hearing before being confined for an extended period. The court agreed, citing a long line of its own prior rulings granting the same relief to other detained immigrants who had lived in the U.S. for periods ranging from about one year to over thirty years. The government did not identify any facts or legal arguments distinguishing his case from those earlier rulings. The judge ordered his immediate release, directed that his documents and belongings be returned, and ruled that if authorities seek to re-detain him, he must first receive a bond hearing at which he would bear the burden of showing he is not a flight risk or danger to the community.