Immigration:
In the field of immigration, MLFA is committed to fighting for the rights of Muslims in the United States facing discrimination based on race, religion, or country of origin. To that end, we represent individuals in removal proceedings, immigration appeals, and federal court, when we have reason to believe that our clients are being treated unfairly in violation of the Constitution. These cases often involve complex factual and legal questions of national security, and we select cases that demonstrate a broader impact on the Muslim community at large.
FBI interviews:
The FBI seeks to interview members of the Muslim community for multiple reasons apart from investigating the individual for criminal wrong doing.
These reasons include: interviewing potential witnesses, conducting background checks for immigration and other federal benefits, gaining intelligence regarding the Muslim community, and recruiting informants. Even if you believe that you have done nothing wrong or have nothing to hide, choosing to talk with the FBI or other members of the terrorism task force is a serious matter with the potential to subject the person being questioned to criminal sanction and /or derogatory administrative consequences. Consequently, we recommend consulting with an attorney prior to agreeing to speak with the FBI and other members of the Terrorism Task Force.
If the FBI contacts you, please call us. We will consult with you by phone or in person to determine the purpose of the interview and determine steps you can take to protect yourself. We will also advise you of your rights and responsibilities to protect you against the risk of saying something incriminating—or that the FBI will perceive as incriminating. In some circumstances, we can arrange for immunity before you speak with FBI agents. Finally, if after speaking with us you decide to participate in the interview, an attorney from our office can be present with you to ensure that your rights are protected.
Habeas Corpus
CLCMA represents defendants filing federal habeas petitions under 18 USC § 2255 for national security related cases and cases involving religious discrimination.
Habeas actions are civil appeals of a final criminal conviction, in an attempt to overturn a conviction, obtain a new trial, or reduce a sentence. Habeas petitions are allowed to be filed within one year of the final judgement of one’s criminal case. This is often a defendant’s last chance to argue their case once all criminal appeals have been exhausted. MLFA´s legal team can assist with reviewing the record of trial, identifying constitutional issues which may be reviewable in Federal habeas actions on a final appeal, drafting habeas petitions, participating in evidentiary hearings, when granted, and arguing for relief under this statute.
If you think you or a family member may benefit from the filing of a Habeas action, apply for help to get more information