Thanh Lai Ngoc Nguyen, who was serving pro se, challenged his re-detention by ICE after being arrested in November 2025. Nguyen has a lengthy criminal history and had been in ICE custody multiple times, with each prior detention ending in supervised release. His most recent supervision order from 2013 prohibited him from committing crimes while under supervision.
Judge Thurston found that Nguyen's 2021 Arizona conviction for transporting methamphetamine constituted a clear violation of his supervision terms. "Given these clarifying facts, Petitioner's situation appears to be squarely covered by 8 C.F.R. ยง 241.13(i)(1)," Thurston wrote, citing the regulation that permits ICE to re-detain individuals who violate release conditions for an additional six months. The judge noted there was "no suggestion that Respondents' assertion of a violation is pretextual."
A magistrate judge had initially recommended granting Nguyen's petition and ordering his release on March 6, 2026. However, after conducting a de novo review following the government's objections, Judge Thurston declined to adopt those findings and recommendations. The court found that ICE had properly served Nguyen with a Notice of Revocation in December 2025 and offered him an informal interview to respond to the allegations.
The denial was issued without prejudice, potentially allowing Nguyen to refile if circumstances change. The ruling reinforces ICE's authority to re-detain individuals who violate supervision terms, even after extended periods of compliance, when supported by criminal convictions that clearly breach release conditions.