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Habeas Corpus Lawyer Arif Gozel: 12 Federal District Courts

Arif Gozel is the habeas corpus lawyer behind My Habeas Lawyer, the federal habeas practice of Gozel Law Firm PC. We ask federal judges to decide whether ICE has the legal authority to keep your loved one detained.

Reviewed by Arif Gozel, Esq., licensed in New Jersey, New York and Maryland. Last updated September 24, 2026.

Our firm

A habeas corpus law firm focused on ICE detention

My Habeas Lawyer is the federal litigation practice of Gozel Law Firm PC. It does one job: bringing ICE detention cases before a U.S. District Judge, who can review whether the detention is lawful and order release or a new hearing if it is not.

The firm was established in 2019. Every case here is a petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 or an emergency motion that goes with one; bond hearings, asylum and other immigration matters are handled by our main practice at gozellaw.com.

Demand has grown fast: TRAC counted habeas lawsuits in 82 of the country’s 90 federal districts between October 2025 and March 2026. This page explains who we are, where we file, and what to ask any habeas corpus lawyer before you sign.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it. — U.S. Constitution, Art. I § 9

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Federal court only

We file in U.S. District Court under § 2241, before a judge independent of the Justice Department.

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Emergency filings

Transfer threats and medical crises are filed as emergency motions.

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Families in any state

You may live in one state while your loved one is held in another. We file where they are held.

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Part of Gozel Law Firm PC

Our main practice handles the rest of the immigration case, so both strategies stay aligned.

Arif Gozel, Esq., federal habeas corpus lawyer at Gozel Law Firm PC
Arif Gozel, Esq.

Managing Attorney — Gozel Law Firm PC

Managing attorney

Arif Gozel, Esq., federal habeas attorney

Founder and Managing Attorney, Gozel Law Firm PC

Attorney Arif Gozel founded Gozel Law Firm PC in 2019 after working at two immigration law firms in Washington, D.C. His work as a habeas corpus attorney centers on people held by ICE: prolonged detention, bond hearings that were refused or never scheduled, re-detention at a routine check-in, and emergency motions to stop transfers.

As a habeas corpus lawyer, he works directly with families, many in a different state from the facility, and represents clients in English and Turkish.

Bar admissions
New Jersey, New York and Maryland; also licensed in Turkey
Federal district courts (12)
  • District of New Jersey
  • Southern District of New York
  • Eastern District of New York
  • Western District of New York
  • Northern District of New York
  • Southern District of Texas
  • Northern District of Texas
  • Western District of Texas
  • Eastern District of Texas
  • District of Maryland
  • District of Columbia
  • Northern District of Illinois
Education
J.D., Rutgers Law School; LL.M., American University Washington College of Law; LL.B., Ankara University School of Law
Licensed since
2015 (Turkey); admitted in New York in 2019
Membership
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Read full attorney bio at Gozel Law →

What we handle

ICE detention cases we bring to federal court

Most of our cases fall into six patterns, each with its own page.

01

Prolonged Detention (6+ Months)

Held for months with no end date. We ask whether continued custody still has a lawful basis.

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02

Denied Bond Hearings

An immigration judge refused to hold a hearing or applied the wrong standard. We ask a federal judge to order a proper one.

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03

Mandatory Detention Challenges

ICE can place someone in a “mandatory” category that does not fit the facts or the law. We challenge the classification itself.

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04

Stopping ICE Transfers

A move to another state can cut a family off from counsel. We ask the court to keep your loved one in the district.

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05

Due Process Violations

No interpreter, evidence left out, no real chance to respond. A federal court can review whether the hearing was fair.

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06

Unlawful Re-detention

Released once, then arrested again at a check-in. We ask whether ICE had a lawful reason to re-detain.

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Federal court

Why an immigration habeas lawyer works in federal court

Immigration judges work within the Executive Office for Immigration Review, part of the Department of Justice. A habeas petition goes to a U.S. District Judge appointed under Article III, who does not answer to ICE or the Justice Department. It is a separate civil case that asks one question: may the government keep this person in custody?

So an immigration habeas lawyer needs admission to that federal court, command of federal procedure, and the ability to work on a short clock: under 28 U.S.C. § 2243, the government must answer an order to show cause within three days unless the court allows more time, up to twenty.

For the basics, read our plain-English guide to habeas corpus or how habeas differs from an appeal.

Immigration court and a federal habeas case, side by side
Immigration courtFederal habeas case
Who decidesAn immigration judge (Department of Justice)A U.S. District Judge (Article III)
What is decidedRemoval and, where the law allows it, bondWhether the detention itself is lawful
Legal basisImmigration and Nationality Act28 U.S.C. § 2241 and the Constitution
Where it is filedThe immigration court assigned to the caseThe federal district where the person is held
If you loseBoard of Immigration AppealsFederal court of appeals for that circuit
Where we file

Where we file habeas petitions

Where your loved one is held decides the court, and which habeas corpus lawyer can appear there, not where you live or where the immigration case is pending. In Rumsfeld v. Padilla, the Supreme Court held that a challenge to present physical confinement names the immediate custodian, usually the facility’s warden, and is filed in the district of confinement.

“Jurisdiction lies in only one district: the district of confinement.” — Rumsfeld v. Padilla, 542 U.S. 426, 443 (2004)

Federal district courts where Attorney Gozel is admitted
StateFederal district courtsDetention sites and courthousesLocal page
New JerseyDistrict of New JerseyDelaney Hall (Newark) and the Elizabeth Detention CenterICE detention lawyer in New Jersey
New YorkSouthern District of New York, Eastern District of New York, Western District of New York, Northern District of New YorkBuffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia (Western District)ICE detention lawyer in New York
TexasSouthern District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Eastern District of TexasPort Isabel and Houston (Southern District); Karnes and Dilley (Western District)ICE detention lawyer in Texas
MarylandDistrict of MarylandFederal courthouses in Baltimore and GreenbeltICE detention lawyer in Maryland
IllinoisNorthern District of IllinoisBroadview processing center, west of ChicagoICE detention lawyer in Illinois
District of ColumbiaDistrict of ColumbiaFederal courthouse in Washington, D.C.No separate page

Held somewhere else? The petition is still filed there. An immigration habeas corpus lawyer who is not admitted in that district can usually ask to appear in the case (pro hac vice), and some courts also require local co-counsel. See all states we cover.

Two things can change the answer quickly: a transfer before filing can move the case to another court (see where to file after an ICE transfer and how to stop a transfer), and appeals courts have split on who is entitled to a bond hearing. Our review covers your circuit’s current law, including recent Fifth Circuit bond rulings.

Out-of-state families

When your loved one is detained in another state

Most families who call us live far from the facility: a mother in New Jersey with a son held in Texas, or a husband in Illinois whose wife was moved to Louisiana overnight. The case is filed where your loved one is held; the rest of the work does not require you to be there.

We speak with the detainee through legal calls or, where allowed, video visits; families send documents by email or WhatsApp. If Attorney Gozel is not admitted in that district, we explain before you retain us how he will appear.

Before you hire

Questions to ask before you hire a habeas corpus lawyer

Whether you hire us or another firm, these answers show whether a lawyer is ready for a federal habeas case.

Are you admitted in the federal district where my loved one is held? If not, how will you appear?

Who will write and argue the petition, and who will keep our family updated?

What is the legal basis, and how have judges in this district ruled on it recently?

What happens if ICE tries to transfer my loved one before or after you file?

What does your fee cover: a hearing, enforcing a release order, an appeal?

What do you need from our family, and by when?

What outcome is realistic, and when would you advise against filing?

Be cautious with anyone who promises a result; outcomes depend on the facts, the district and current circuit law. Fee ranges are in our habeas corpus cost guide, and what to gather first is in how families can request a habeas review.

Next steps

What happens after you contact us

1

Free case review

Call (862) 799-2200, message us on WhatsApp, or use the form, and tell us where your loved one is held.

2

We confirm custody and papers

We verify the facility, A-Number and detention date, then read the Notice to Appear, any bond decision and prior orders.

3

You get a straight answer

Whether habeas fits, what it would ask for, and whether a bond motion, parole request or another step should come first.

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If you retain us, we file

We prepare the petition for the correct district, file it, and tell you each deadline the court sets.

Information to have ready

The full checklist is in what a habeas lawyer needs for an initial review.

Results

Results in recent habeas cases

Summaries of recent matters. Client names are withheld.

Detention Following Entry Without Inspection
Federal Habeas Petition After Immigration Judge Declined Bond Jurisdiction
Success Story: Honduran Asylum Seeker Released on $1,500 Minimum Bond
Our Honduran client was denied a bond hearing by the immigration judge who cited lack…
✓ Released
Post-Detention Bond
Habeas Corpus Filed Within 2-3 Days of Detention
Released from NJ ICE Custody in 3 Days – Habeas Case
Our Indian national client was taken into ICE custody and faced indefinite detention. We filed…
✓ Released
Prolonged Detention
Over 13 Months in Custody
13-Month Detention Ended: Federal Judge Orders Immediate Release in Tacoma
Our client was held in immigration detention in Tacoma, Washington for over 13 months despite…
✓ Released
Detention at Routine ICE Check-In
Detained During ICE Check-In
Success Story: 5-Day Victory for Afghan Asylum Seeker Detained at ICE Check-In
Our 32-year-old Afghan client was detained during a routine ICE check-in despite years of compliance.…
✓ Released

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

View All Success Stories →
FAQ

Hiring a habeas lawyer: common questions

The court filing fee for a habeas petition is $5 under 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). Attorney fees vary with the work: an emergency petition, a case that goes to a hearing, and an appeal are priced differently. Our habeas corpus cost guide lists typical ranges.

Federal law gives the government three days to answer an order to show cause, extendable to twenty, but each district sets its own pace. Our cost and timeline guide walks through each stage.

Yes. The first call usually comes from a spouse, parent or sibling, and the detainee joins the engagement once we reach them. When the detainee cannot act, a family member may in limited cases file as a “next friend”; see how families can request a habeas review.

Habeas challenges the detention, not the removal order. A federal judge can order release or a bond hearing but generally cannot cancel a removal order or grant status. For final orders, see habeas after a final deportation order.

Yes, through our main practice, Gozel Law Firm PC: family and employment-based immigration, work visas, naturalization, and mandamus lawsuits over delayed applications. See other services.

Is a loved one in ICE detention?

Time is critical. A habeas corpus petition can be a powerful tool to challenge unlawful detention. Reach out to us now.

Get Urgent Help

Or call (862) 799-2200

Legal Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case has unique circumstances. For legal guidance specific to your situation, we recommend consulting with an experienced immigration attorney. The information in this article reflects laws and policies as of the publication date; subsequent changes may affect its accuracy.

Legal references

  1. 28 U.S.C. § 2241, Power to grant writ, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, current text.
  2. 28 U.S.C. § 2243, Issuance of writ; return; hearing; decision, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, current text.
  3. Rumsfeld v. Padilla, 542 U.S. 426, Supreme Court of the United States, June 28, 2004.
  4. Surge in Immigration Lawsuits Hits Record High in 2026, TRAC, Syracuse University, May 12, 2026.
  5. Reclassifying ‘Applicants for Admission’: How the Second Trump Administration is Reshaping Mandatory Detention, National Immigration Forum, May 14, 2026.
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