Legal advocates argue that Homeland Security and Justice Department actions undermine immigration court integrity, turning proceedings into traps that discourage legal protection seeking.

The lawsuit was initiated by immigrant advocacy groups such as RAICES, NIJC, Democracy Forward, and LCCRSF, representing plaintiffs seeking protection from violence and gender-based threats.

On July 15, 2025, twelve immigrants and their legal advocates filed a class action lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing the Justice Department and Homeland Security of colluding to arrest and deport individuals during immigration hearings.

Faisal Al-Juburi of RAICES criticized the administration's actions for creating panic and endangering families seeking refuge, describing the broad net cast by authorities as harmful and disruptive.

In June 2025, New York City mayoral candidate and comptroller Brad Lander was arrested while attending immigration court with a migrant, highlighting the aggressive enforcement actions.

The Supreme Court granted the Trump administration authority to deport migrants to countries they are not originally from, including conflict zones like South Sudan, expanding the scope of deportations.

The lawsuit is filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, where plaintiffs seek to declare ICE and immigration court guidelines as 'arbitrary and capricious' and request their vacatur.

All twelve plaintiffs were arrested while requesting asylum or legal protection; most remain in detention, and one has been deported to Ecuador, where he lives in hiding due to his LGBTQ+ advocacy.

The lawsuit claims that the Trump administration violated due process rights under U.S. immigration law and the Fifth Amendment by conducting expedited removals without proper hearings.

Starting in May 2025, federal authorities launched coordinated operations across multiple states, including New York, Arizona, and Washington, to arrest individuals at immigration courts.