Koko诉Neely案

Egondun Kate Koko, a federal inmate, filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 against Kimberly Neely, seeking release to home confinement under the CARES Act.On May 21, 2025, a magistrate judge recommended dismissal with prejudice, finding that Koko had no constitutional right to home confinement and that the CARES Act does not grant district courts authority to transfer inmates to home confinement.Koko objected on June 2, 2025, arguing exhaustion of administrative remedies, unfair subjection to a removal order, and being nonviolent and not a flight risk.The district court adopted the magistrate judge's recommendation and dismissed the petition on June 4, 2025.

Petition for writ of habeas corpus dismissed with prejudice. The court adopted the magistrate judge's report and recommendation in full.

Whether the CARES Act grants federal district courts the authority to order the release of federal inmates to home confinement, and whether the petitioner had an enforceable constitutional right to such release.

The case clarified the limited scope of judicial authority under the CARES Act, reaffirming that district courts lack statutory power to order home confinement for federal inmates—a power vested in the Bureau of Prisons. It also underscored that federal inmates subject to removal orders face additional barriers in seeking habeas relief.