The Western District has three district-wide standing orders that govern § 2241 petitions from people in immigration detention. Read the current text on the court’s District-Wide Orders page before relying on this summary.
| Order | Effective | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| SO 1.73: Appointment of FPD in Immigration Habeas Cases | April 10, 2026 | Provisionally appoints the Federal Public Defender to screen and file § 2241 petitions for financially eligible detainees in the district who are held, or arguably held, under a final order of removal (8 U.S.C. § 1231) and who contact the FPD. |
| SO 1.61: Assignment of Cases (amended) | May 20, 2026 | Assigns immigration habeas cases from all divisions in equal shares to seven district judges and six magistrate judges district-wide. |
| SO 1.74: Service and Scheduling of Immigration Habeas Cases | July 5, 2026 | After screening, the court issues a scheduling order. The Clerk serves federal respondents by email at the U.S. Attorney’s designated address and the warden by first-class mail. No summonses. TROs reserved for imminent, irreparable harm. |
Related: Middle District of Louisiana
The Louisiana ICE Processing Center at Angola is in the Middle District, which has its own framework: General Orders 2026-09 through 2026-11 and a standing order in ICE cases, entered April 22, 2026. See our Angola facility guide.
Last checked: September 17, 2026
This page provides general information for attorneys and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Court rules, standing orders, and facility procedures change; confirm current requirements with the court and ICE before relying on them. Attorney responsible for this content: Seth J. Bloom, Bloom Legal, 825 Girod St., Suite A, New Orleans, LA 70113.
