The National Immigration Habeas Institute (NIHI) is a new joint venture between the Center for Immigration Innovation at Cardozo Law School and the National Immigration Litigation Alliance.
NIHI was launched in August 2025 in response to the federal government’s vast expansion of immigration detention and its rapidly evolving immigration enforcement tactics—pushing the boundaries of law and constitutional protections. Meanwhile, deportation defense attorneys, experienced in practice in the nation’s administrative immigration courts, are increasingly finding those courts unable or unwilling to vindicate the rights of their clients.
Accordingly, the battleground for defending detained immigrants has now expanded beyond the immigration courts and into federal district court, where the substantive law, procedures, opposing counsel, and norms of practice are vastly different. Habeas corpus petitions filed in federal district courts are now the primary vehicle to vindicate the rights of detained immigrants.
Contact NIHI: For questions about the application requirements, the training or mentorship program, or to request a training in your region, please email us.
-
email Email
NIHI Components
NIHI consists of two main components.
- Intensive in-person training. The first is an intensive two-day in-person training designed to prepare experienced immigration attorneys—with little to no prior federal court experience—to litigate immigration habeas petitions in federal court. Attendees will receive rigorous, hands-on training on common and emerging issues in habeas litigation taught by the nation’s leading scholars and litigators. NIHI will host trainings in three cities in its inaugural year.
- Pro bono placement and mentorship. In return for the free training and CLE credits, attendees agree to litigate at least one pro bono habeas petition referred by NIHI, and with the support of a NIHI mentor, in the year following their training. Attendees may have the option to self-refer one of their own clients with habeas claims, or to be referred a case from NIHI’s pool of previously vetted cases.
Apply to Join a NIHI Training
NIHI welcomes immigration law practitioners with little to no federal court experience to apply to join a training cohort.
The training will include:
- Practical training on how to litigate an immigration habeas from start—including how to draft an effective petition or complaint and motions for preliminary relief—to finish—such as responding to government motions to dismiss, as well as negotiation strategies for settlement;
- Hands-on, small-group sessions on common claims or case types, such as challenging prolonged detention or third country removal;
- Live demonstrations of how to handle an oral argument or other appearances before a federal judge;
- Sample pleadings, briefing, and practice materials.
NIHI training is free of charge and participants may be eligible for New York CLE credits (to be confirmed closer to the training)
The first training will be on October 16-17, 2025 at Cardozo Law School in New York City and will focus on relevant Second and Third Circuit law. Space is limited. We advise people to apply as soon as possible and no later than September 19, 2025.
Priority for this training will be given to immigration law practitioners that practice primarily within the Second and Third Circuits.
The other two trainings are tentatively scheduled for January 2026 and May 2026. Check back in November for information on the location and precise timing of those trainings. To request a NIHI training in your area, please email NIHI@yu.edu.
Application requirements:
- At least three years of immigration law practice (can include law school clinics, internships, and externships);
- Ability to attend the NYC training in-person for two full days, including capacity to prepare for the training by reading relevant case law and reviewing hypos for small group discussion and practice before and during the training;
- Current admission to a federal district court or commitment to apply for admission.
If you are an immigration law practitioner based in the Second or Third Circuits, please click here to apply for a place in the October NYC NIHI training.
Space will be limited to ensure a reasonable trainer-to-participant ratio. NILA will allot the majority of spots to nonprofit attorneys who regularly represent immigrants in removal proceedings and who are employed by organizations that are seeking to develop or expand capacity to litigate habeas petitions. There is also limited availability for private attorneys willing to provide pro bono representation.
NIHI Leadership, Faculty, and Staff
Alina Das
Professor of Law and Co-Director, NYU Immigrant Rights Clinic
Alexandra Lampert
Supervising Attorney, Brooklyn Defender Services