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Colombian asylum seeker detained at immigration court hearing, wins habeas petition

Jul 31, 2026·Location: San Francisco, CA

Country of origin: Colombia

Colombian asylum seeker detained at immigration court hearing, wins habeas petition
Photo via CourtListener

Paula Sofia Ramirez Clavijo, a 33-year-old Colombian asylum seeker and survivor of sexual assault, was detained by ICE on July 24, 2025, immediately after appearing at San Francisco Immigration Court for a scheduled removal hearing. She had entered the U.S. without inspection in December 2023 and been released on her own recognizance. ICE arrested her outside the courtroom pursuant to a Warrant of Arrest. Attorney Erin Meyer filed a habeas corpus petition on her behalf. A U.S. District Court judge issued an order for her release while she was already on a United Airlines flight to Honolulu with ICE officers. The court granted her petition, ruling that she has a protected liberty interest and cannot be re-detained without a pre-deprivation bond hearing where the government must prove by clear and convincing evidence that she is a flight risk or danger to the community.

Timeline

Jul 31, 2026—Court granted petition for writ of habeas corpus, ruling detention violated constitutional protections and establishing that re-detention requires pre-deprivation bond hearing with clear and convincing evidence standard
Aug 21, 2025—Judge granted preliminary injunction
Jul 29, 2025—Released from custody pursuant to court order
Jul 25, 2025—Attorney filed habeas corpus petition; Judge Beth Labson Freeman granted temporary restraining order
Jul 25, 2025—Judge issued order for release while Ramirez Clavijo was on United Airlines flight to Honolulu with ICE officers
Jul 24, 2025—Detained by ICE immediately after appearing at San Francisco Immigration Court for scheduled removal hearing; arrested outside courtroom pursuant to Warrant of Arrest
Dec 2023—Paula Sofia Ramirez Clavijo entered the U.S. without inspection
Dec 2023—Released on her own recognizance under 8 U.S.C. § 1226
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