“It is presumptively constitutional for an alien to be detained for six months after a final order of removal.”
How later courts described this case
- “It is presumptively constitutional for an alien to be detained for six months after a final order of removal.”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
MONROE DIVISION
YAAR MOHAMMAD NOORI DOCKET NO. 3:26-cv-00456
A221-391-595 SECTION P
VERSUS JUDGE ALEXANDER C. VAN HOOK
ICE MAGISTRATE JUDGE LEBLANC
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Before the court is a petition for writ of habeas corpus filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241
by pro se petitioner Yaar Mohammad Noori on February 12, 2026. Doc. 1.
This matter has been referred to the undersigned for review, report, and recommendation
in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636 and the standing orders of this Court. For the reasons stated
below, IT IS RECOMMENDED that the matter be DENIED and DISMISSED WITHOUT
PREJUDICE.
I. BACKGROUND
Noori filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus arguing that U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (“ICE”) has detained him beyond the removal period authorized by statute. Doc. 1.
According to his petition, Noori was taken into immigration custody on January 12, 2025, and
ordered removed on May 30, 2025. Doc. 1, p. 4. He appealed that decision and his appeal was
dismissed by the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) on October 21, 2025. Id. at p. 5.
II. LAW & ANALYSIS
A district court may apply any or all of the rules governing habeas petitions filed under 28
U.S.C. § 2254 to those filed under § 2241. See Rule 1(b), Rules Governing § 2254 Cases in the
United States District Courts. Rule 4 of the Rules Governing § 2254 Cases authorizes preliminary
review of such petitions, and states that they must be summarily dismissed “[i]f it plainly appears
from the petition and any attached exhibits that the petitioner is not entitled to relief.” Id. at Rule
4. To avoid summary dismissal under Rule 4, the petition must contain factual allegations pointing
to a “real possibility of constitutional error.” Id. at Rule 4, advisory committee note (quoting Aubut
v. Maine, 431 F.2d 688, 689 (1st Cir. 1970)). Accordingly, we review the pleadings and exhibits
before us to determine whether any right to relief is indicated, or whether the petition must be
dismissed.
Petitioner contends that his detention has been prolonged without justification,
citing Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678, 121 S. Ct. 2491, 150 L. Ed. 2d 653 (2001). Section
1231(a)(1)(A) of Title 8 of the United States Code provides that the government has a 90-day
“removal period” to remove an alien ordered removed from the United States. 8 U.S.C. §
1231(a)(1)(A). During the removal period, the alien must be detained. See 8 U.S.C. §
1231(a)(2). After the expiration of the removal period, the government may continue to detain an
inadmissible or criminal alien or release her subject to conditions of release. See 8 U.S.C. §
1231(a)(6). To facilitate “uniform administration in the federal courts,” the United States Supreme
Court recognized a six-month “presumptively reasonable period of detention.” Zadvydas, 533 U.S.
at 701. This period begins on the date the order of removal becomes administratively final.1 Agyei-
Kodie v. Holder, 418 F. App’x 317, 318 (5th Cir. 2011) (“It is presumptively constitutional for an
alien to be detained for six months after a final order of removal.”). A removal order becomes
administratively final “upon the earlier of—(i) a determination by the [BIA] affirming such order;
1 The removal period may also begin on the later of (1) the date of a court’s final order, “[i]f the removal order is
judicially reviewed and if a court orders a stay of the removal of the alien,” or (2) the date the alien is released from
non-immigration detention or confinement. 8 U.S.C. § 1231(a)(1)(B)(ii)-(iii). Neither of these circumstances applies
here.
or (ii) the expiration of the period in which the alien is permitted to seek review of such order by
the [BIA].” 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(47)(B); see also Lopez Acosta v. Rosen, 832 F. App’x 891, 891
(5th Cir. 2021).
Here, Noori’s removal order became administratively final on October 21, 2025, when the
BIA dismissed the appeal. See 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(47)(B). At the time of filing the instant petition,
Noori “has not been in post removal-order detention longer than the presumptively reasonable six-
month period set forth in Zadvydas.” Agyei-Kodie, 418 F. App'x at 318. His challenge to his post-
removal-order detention therefore is premature and should be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction,
without prejudice to his right to file a § 2241 petition challenging his detention after the
presumptively reasonable six-month period has expired. See id. (dismissing the petitioner’s
premature challenge to his continued post-removal-order detention for want of jurisdiction).
III. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated above, Noori’s petition fails to state a claim for relief under 28 U.S.C.
§ 2241. Accordingly, IT IS RECOMMENDED that the petition be DENIED and DISMISSED
WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
IT IS FURTHER RECOMMENDED that all pending motions are DENIED as MOOT.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C) and Rule 72(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure, the parties have fourteen (14) days from receipt of this Report and Recommendation to
file written objections with the Clerk of Court. Failure to file written objections to the proposed
factual findings and/or the proposed legal conclusions reflected in this Report and
Recommendation within fourteen (14) days of receipt shall bar an aggrieved party from attacking
either the factual findings or the legal conclusions accepted by the District Court, except upon
grounds of plain error. See Douglass v. United Services Automobile Ass’n, 79 F.3d 1415, 1429-30
(Sth Cir. 1996).
THUS DONE AND SIGNED in chambers this 24th day of March, 2026.
a AS P. LEBLANC
UNITED SP¥TES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
-4.