Case 2:24-mc-10001-CB Document 61 Filed 04/09/26 Page 1 of 3
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
)
IN RE: ASSIGNMENT OF HABEAS ) ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 2026-11
CORPUS – ALIEN DETAINEE ACTIONS )
) 2:24-mc-10001
)
ORDER
AND NOW, in furtherance of Administrative Order 2026-01 and Administrative Order
2026-06, pursuant to which all Habeas Corpus Alien Detainee cases (Nature of Suit 463) filed
in any division of this Court are currently being randomly assigned to certain designated judicial
officers, specifically, U.S. District Judge Stephanie L. Haines, U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas
Ranjan, U.S. District Judge William S. Stickman, IV, and U.S. District Judge Christy Criswell
Wiegand, and
After due consideration and in furtherance of the continued sound management of the
Court’s dockets and to continue to facilitate the just determination of every proceeding, in
accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 137(a), LCvR 40(F) and Administrative Order 2025-24.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, effective April 20, 2026, in addition to the judicial
officers designated by Administrative Order 2026-01, the following judicial officers are hereby
also specifically designated to receive random assignment of any Habeas Corpus Alien Detainee
cases (Nature of Suit 463) filed in any division of this Court: Chief U.S. District Judge Cathy
Bissoon, U.S. District Judge Mark R. Hornak, U.S. District Judge Marilyn J. Horan, and U.S.
District Judge William Scott Hardy;
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, effective immediately, that any judicial officer
designated in Administrative Orders 2026-01 and 2026-06, or designated immediately above, to
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receive the random assignment of any Habeas Corpus Alien Detainee cases (Nature of Suit 463)
may also receive the direct reassignment of any such pending case;
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that any Senior U.S. District Judge who so notifies the
Clerk of Court is hereby also designated to receive random assignment of Habeas Corpus Alien
Detainee cases (Nature of Suit 463) for any period of time specified by that judge or to receive
the direct reassignment of pending Habeas Corpus Alien Detainee cases (Nature of Suit 463) in
such numbers specified by that judge;
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that because the Chief U.S. District Judge has found that
exceptional circumstances exist, including the substantial number of Habeas Corpus - Alien
Detainee cases (Nature of Suit 463) filed in this Court, and the increased rate at which such cases
are being filed in calendar year 2026 in this Court, which is expected to remain elevated, the
limitations on civil case transfers set forth in Local Civil Rule 40(G) do not apply to these cases,
until further Administrative Order of the Chief Judge finding that exceptional circumstances no
longer exist;
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Administrative Order has no impact on and does
not supersede existing rules or practices governing the assignment of related civil cases;
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all provisions of this Administrative Order shall
remain in full force and effect until further notice of the Court, and that any provisions in
Administrative Order 2026-01 or Administrative Order 2026-06 concerning any other expiration
date for any program or practice for the assignment of Habeas Corpus – Alien Detainee cases
(Nature of Suit 463) are hereby specifically and explicitly superseded by this section of the
instant Order; and
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