Opinion
Case # 21-CV-6121-FPG
05-26-2021
CHINNADURAI SUBESIKARAN, Petitioner, v. INCUMBENT MONTY WILKINSON, et al., Respondents.
DECISION AND ORDER
Pro se Petitioner Chinnadurai Subesikaran brought this petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241, challenging his continued detention at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility. ECF No. 1. Respondents have notified the Court that on March 10, 2021, immigration authorities released Petitioner on parole. ECF No. 4-3 at 1. Respondents now move to dismiss the petition, arguing that Petitioner's release renders the case moot. ECF No. 4. Petitioner did not file a response. For the following reasons, Respondents' motion is GRANTED.
"[A] case is moot when the issues presented are no longer live or the parties lack a legally cognizable interest in the outcome." Cuong Le v. Sessions, No. 17-cv-1339, 2018 WL 5620290, at *2 (W.D.N.Y. Oct. 29, 2018). Where, as here, a habeas petition challenges only the alien's continued detention, the petition becomes moot once the alien is released from custody. See, e.g., Hubacek v. Holder, No. 13-CV-1085, 2014 WL 1096949, at *1 (W.D.N.Y. Mar. 19, 2014) (collecting cases); Masoud v. Filip, No. 08-CV-6345, 2009 WL 223006, at *5 (W.D.N.Y. Jan. 27, 2009) (same). This is because the alien has obtained the relief sought—"release from [immigration] custody." Emeni v. Holder, No. 13-CV-6404, 2014 WL 347799, at *3 (W.D.N.Y. Jan. 31, 2014).
Accordingly, Petitioner's challenge to his continued detention has become moot in light of his release, and his petition is dismissed. See id.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Respondents' motion to dismiss (ECF No. 4) is GRANTED. The petition is DISMISSED, and the Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment and close this case.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: May 26, 2021
Rochester, New York
/s/_________
HON. FRANK P. GERACI, JR.
Chief Judge
United States District Court