Suing the government when ordinary immigration practice is not enough
Lal Legal represents immigrants and U.S. citizens in federal lawsuits against USCIS, ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and other federal agencies.
Federal litigation is different from filing another application, submitting another inquiry, or waiting for the government to act. It requires identifying a legally reviewable agency action, building a federal record, seeking emergency relief when necessary, and persuading a federal judge that the government has exceeded its lawful authority.
In 2026 alone, we have served as counsel in more than 50 federal immigration habeas matters. Our cases have resulted in dozens of releases from ICE custody, court-ordered bond hearings, injunctions limiting re-detention, removal of electronic monitoring, corrective government action, and attorney-fee awards.
Lal Legal also brings Administrative Procedure Act and mandamus actions challenging unlawful adjudication practices, unreasonable delays, wrongful denials, passport restrictions, and other government conduct.
Immigration detention and habeas corpus
We seek emergency federal relief for people detained or re-detained by ICE without constitutionally adequate process. Depending on the facts, relief may include:
- immediate release;
- a constitutionally adequate bond hearing;
- a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction;
- protection against transfer while a case is pending;
- restrictions on future re-detention; and
- enforcement of an existing release or injunction order.
APA, mandamus, and systemic agency challenges
We sue USCIS and other federal agencies over unreasonable delays, unlawful policies, arbitrary denials, procedural violations, and practices that conflict with federal law or the agencies’ own rules.
Our current litigation includes challenges involving delayed humanitarian applications, adjustment of status for trafficking survivors, and the issuance of removal charges against applicants with pending adjustment applications.
Federal appeals
We represent clients in federal appellate litigation, including appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit involving constitutional liberty, immigration detention, and the scope of federal judicial review.
Federal counsel for referring immigration lawyers
Immigration lawyers throughout the country refer California detention and federal-court matters to Lal Legal. We can serve as lead federal counsel or work with existing immigration counsel while they continue handling the underlying removal, bond, asylum, or benefits proceeding.
Selected results
- More than 50 federal immigration habeas matters filed in 2026.
- Dozens of immediate-release outcomes.
- Multiple federal orders requiring constitutionally adequate bond hearings.
- Injunctive relief preventing re-detention without due process.
- Court-ordered removal of an ICE ankle monitors imposed after release.
- Corrective agency action obtained after filing suit on behalf of trafficking survivors.
- Federal APA and mandamus cases challenging unlawful or unreasonably delayed USCIS action
Successfully won a U.S. passport and settlement for U.S. citizen who was unlawfully denied a passport