--- title: "Rumsfeld v. Padilla" citation: "542 U.S. 426 (2004)" authority_id: "AUTH-SCOTUS-RUMSFELD-PADILLA-542-US-426" authority_type: "case" jurisdiction: "federal_nationwide" precedential_status: "binding" official_url: "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-542/pdf/USREPORTS-542-426.pdf" url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/authorities/AUTH-SCOTUS-RUMSFELD-PADILLA-542-US-426/" legal_review: "2026-08-25" links_checked: "2026-10-15" links_available: 1 links_checked_count: 1 license: "CC BY 4.0" --- # Rumsfeld v. Padilla ## Holding or rule used Immediate-custodian and district-of-confinement defaults for core present physical custody, distinguished from subject-matter jurisdiction and non-core custody. ## Material limitation Use only for the bounded proposition in the linked modules. The actual custody, filing posture, respondent, district, circuit law, administrative record, continuing injury, merits, and relief remain separate where identified. ## Official source and pinpoints 542 U.S. 426 (2004), 542 U.S. 434–47 & n.7: ## Used in - [28 U.S.C. § 2241 — Filing, Custodian, District, and Administrative Exhaustion](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/60-post-conviction/2241-filing-jurisdiction-respondent-and-exhaustion.md) - [28 U.S.C. § 2241 — Section 2255(e) Saving Clause, Custody, and Mootness](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/60-post-conviction/2241-saving-clause-custody-and-mootness.md) - [BOP Designation, Sentence Commencement, Aggregation, and Prior-Custody Credit](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/80-sentence-execution-and-bop/designation-sentence-computation-and-prior-custody-credit.md) - [Prerelease Custody, Residential Reentry, Home Confinement, and the CARES Act](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/80-sentence-execution-and-bop/prerelease-custody-home-confinement-and-cares-act.md) - [BOP Administrative Remedies, § 2241 Review, APA Limits, and Mootness](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/80-sentence-execution-and-bop/administrative-remedies-and-judicial-review.md)