Habeas 101: Intro to Habeas Petitions for Immigration Attorneys

As DHS continues to expand the use of immigration detention, the defense of detained noncitizens increasingly extends beyond the immigration courts and into federal district court. Habeas petitions have become an essential strategy for challenging unlawful custody, yet many immigration attorneys have limited experience with federal habeas practice and are navigating it for the first time.

Join the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law for a free CLE webinar, Habeas 101: Intro to Habeas Petitions for Immigration Attorneys, on Tuesday, December 16th, from 12:00–1:00pm PT. This introductory training is designed for immigration attorneys seeking a practical foundation in federal immigration habeas litigation and will cover how to evaluate potential habeas claims, draft and file a petition, and navigate key procedural considerations in the early stages of a case.

The training will be led by Bardis Vakili, the Center’s Legal Director, who will guide attendees through the core components of preparing and litigating immigration habeas petitions. The webinar will also feature Kel White, Associate Director of Public Engagement & Training at Acacia Center for Justice, who will introduce the newly launched Habeas Bridge Project. The training will review where attorneys can access existing templates, practice advisories, and other available resources, and will explain how these tools can be used to support and structure an emerging habeas practice.