NEW YORK, NY — A federal judge has ruled that a Honduran man detained by immigration authorities in New York is being held unlawfully and must be released, finding he was denied a required bond hearing.
Eduar Villanueva-Milla, 25, had been held at the Orange County Jail in Goshen after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) re-arrested him in January. In a memorandum opinion, U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods granted his habeas corpus petition, concluding his continued detention violated federal law and constitutional due process.
Detention Restarted Years After Initial Entry
Villanueva-Milla entered the United States in 2018 as a teenager and was initially placed in immigration proceedings. He was later released to a family member in New York.
In 2023, an immigration judge dismissed his removal case without prejudice after both sides agreed. But in January 2026, a joint ICE task force encountered and detained him again in Monroe, New York, issuing new immigration charges and placing him back into custody.
Court Finds Lack of Bond Hearing Unlawful
The central issue before the court was whether ICE could continue holding Villanueva-Milla without offering him a bond hearing.
Judge Woods ruled that under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Villanueva-Milla was not considered someone “seeking admission” to the United States in a way that would justify mandatory detention without bond.
Because he had not been given an opportunity to argue for release before an immigration judge, the court found his detention unlawful.
Habeas Petition Secures Relief
Villanueva-Milla filed a habeas corpus petition on January 14, arguing either for immediate release or a bond hearing. The court sided with him, granting the petition outright.
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Key Points
• Federal judge ruled ICE detention of Eduar Villanueva-Milla unlawful
• Court found he was held without required bond hearing
• Habeas petition granted, paving way for release from custody
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Broader Implications
The decision underscores ongoing legal scrutiny over immigration detention practices, particularly when individuals are held for extended periods without judicial review.
Federal courts have increasingly examined whether detainees are entitled to bond hearings depending on how immigration laws apply to their specific circumstances.
Current Status
Villanueva-Milla’s habeas petition has been granted, and his continued detention deemed unlawful. The ruling requires his release, marking a significant development in his immigration case.
Keywords: ICE detention case, habeas corpus immigration, New York federal court