Federal Habeas Advocacy for Individuals in ICE Detention

Immigration detention is civil in name—but deprivation of liberty is real.

Our practice is dedicated to federal habeas corpus litigation challenging unlawful detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). We represent individuals who are detained without lawful justification, denied meaningful custody review, or held in prolonged or indefinite detention in violation of the Constitution and federal law.

Habeas corpus remains the primary mechanism for enforcing constitutional limits on immigration detention. We focus on using that remedy precisely, strategically, and effectively.

A Practice Focused on ICE Detention Challenges

We handle federal habeas petitions under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 arising from immigration custody, including challenges to:

  • Prolonged detention without a bond hearing

  • Mandatory detention applied unlawfully or indefinitely

  • Detention following a final order of removal where removal is not reasonably foreseeable

  • Bond hearings that fail to meet constitutional standards

  • Continued detention despite eligibility for release or supervision

  • Detention based on legal or jurisdictional errors

Our work centers on the intersection of immigration law, constitutional due process, and federal detention authority.

This is not removal defense.
This is custody litigation.

Understanding the Reality of Immigration Detention

ICE detention often occurs far from family, counsel, and community. Individuals may be held for months—or years—without meaningful judicial review of whether continued detention is justified.

Federal habeas corpus exists to address exactly this problem.

We litigate detention cases with a clear understanding of:

  • The statutory detention framework (including §§ 1226 and 1231)

  • Supreme Court and circuit-specific habeas precedent

  • The constitutional limits on civil detention

  • The practical realities of ICE custody and bond proceedings

Our focus is not rhetoric—it is enforceable constitutional accountability.

Strategic Federal Litigation — Not Form Filings

Federal courts impose strict procedural and substantive requirements on habeas petitions. Success depends on disciplined legal analysis, accurate framing of claims, and credibility with the court.

Our habeas practice emphasizes:

  • Careful issue selection tailored to controlling circuit law

  • Precise framing of due-process and statutory claims

  • Record-based challenges that withstand government opposition

  • Clear, restrained briefing that respects the standards of review

Each petition is drafted as a federal court pleading, not an advocacy letter.

Deliberate Case Review and Honest Assessments

Not every detention is unlawful—and not every case is suitable for habeas relief.

We conduct thorough evaluations before accepting representation, including review of:

  • Custody authority and detention statute

  • Length and conditions of detention

  • Procedural history (bond hearings, appeals, stays)

  • Circuit-specific case law and standards

If a case lacks a viable habeas pathway, we will explain that candidly. When we proceed, it is because there is a legally sound basis to challenge continued detention.

Representation Rooted in Dignity and Clarity

Immigration detention affects not only the detained individual, but entire families. We approach each case with professionalism, seriousness, and respect for the gravity of liberty interests at stake.

Clients and families can expect:

  • Clear explanations of the legal process

  • Realistic assessments of timing and outcomes

  • Direct communication about risks and limitations

  • Advocacy grounded in law, not false assurances

Federal Courts Require Precision

Habeas corpus in the immigration context is governed by:

  • Statutory constraints

  • Circuit precedent

  • Constitutional due-process standards

We litigate at that level—carefully, deliberately, and with full awareness of how federal judges evaluate detention challenges.

Consultation and Case Review

We offer confidential federal habeas case evaluations for individuals currently in ICE detention or facing prolonged custody without meaningful review.

If continued detention violates statutory or constitutional limits, we are prepared to seek federal court intervention.