Lal Legal represents individuals and families in federal district courts and courts of appeals, including matters involving unlawful immigration detention, delayed agency action, naturalization, citizenship, passports, humanitarian immigration relief, and challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act.
The following matters reflect selected federal litigation handled by attorney Prerna Lal as lead counsel, co-counsel, or local counsel. Client names have been shortened for privacy.
Naturalization and Citizenship Litigation
Namgyal v. Jaddou, No. 3:23-cv-02856-LJC (N.D. Cal.)
Obtained an order requiring USCIS to adjudicate the naturalization application within 30 days. USCIS approved the application, and the client became a United States citizen in October 2023.
Vu v. USCIS, No. 2:20-cv-01424-JAM-KJN (E.D. Cal.)
Filed federal litigation concerning a denied naturalization matter. USCIS subsequently scheduled the client’s naturalization ceremony, allowing the client to become a United States citizen.
Torres v. Pompeo/Blinken, No. 3:19-cv-04752-JCS (N.D. Cal.)
Litigated a citizenship and passport claim through discovery and trial briefing. The matter concluded with a settlement and issuance of the client’s United States passport.
Mandamus and Agency-Delay Litigation
Kahsay v. Blinken, No. 1:22-cv-02880-TSC (D.D.C.)
Filed federal litigation concerning delayed visa processing. The visa was issued, and the case was voluntarily dismissed after the client obtained the requested agency action.
Silva v. Mayorkas, No. 1:22-cv-00044-ZMF (D.D.C.), transferred as No. 8:22-cv-00186 (D. Neb.)
Represented the plaintiffs in federal agency-delay litigation through transfer from the District of Columbia to the District of Nebraska. The case was voluntarily dismissed after the client obtained the requested agency action.
Acharya v. Jaddou, No. 4:23-cv-04758-KAW (N.D. Cal.)
Filed litigation challenging prolonged delay in an asylum matter. USCIS issued a decision while the federal case was pending. The case was voluntarily dismissed after the client obtained the requested agency action.
Akinyosoye v. Wolf, No. 1:20-cv-02939-KBJ (D.D.C.)
Litigated unreasonable agency delay involving pending immigration applications, resulting in agency adjudication while the federal action was pending. The case was voluntarily dismissed after the client obtained the requested agency action.
Administrative Procedure Act Litigation
Azizi v. Noem, No. 2:24-cv-02959-JDP (E.D. Cal.)
Ongoing Administrative Procedure Act litigation involving delayed humanitarian immigration relief for Afghan applicants.
Magana Baez v. USCIS, No. 3:26-cv-00928-PHK (N.D. Cal.)
Ongoing litigation challenging USCIS policies and practices affecting adjustment-of-status applicants.
Li v. USCIS, No. 3:26-cv-05950-JD (N.D. Cal.)
Ongoing challenge to USCIS practices involving the issuance of Notices to Appear in connection with adjustment-of-status adjudications.
Federal Habeas Corpus — Immediate Release
Lal Legal has obtained or helped obtain federal habeas relief requiring the immediate release of numerous individuals from immigration detention.
Lemus Perez matter, No. 1:26-cv-00064-DMC (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Rivas Martinez matter, No. 5:25-cv-03597-SSS-BFM (C.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained, followed by an application for attorneys’ fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act.
Cortez matter, No. 5:26-cv-00313-SSS-BFM (C.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained, followed by an EAJA fee application.
Barrios Ramos matter, No. 1:26-cv-00512-TLN-AC (E.D. Cal.)
Temporary restraining order and immediate release obtained.
Carrillo Hernandez matter, No. 2:26-cv-00214-TLN-CSK (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained, followed by an EAJA fee application.
Corrales Villalobos matter, No. 1:26-cv-00533-DAD-CKD (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained, followed by an EAJA fee application.
Quiroz Lopez matter, No. 1:26-cv-00998-DC-CKD (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Vargas Escalante matter, No. 5:26-cv-01208-MCS-AJR (C.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Almendarez Ruiz matter, No. 1:26-cv-01239-DAD-CSK (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained, followed by an EAJA fee application.
Flores Arbizu matter, No. 1:26-cv-01277-JLT-SKO (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained, followed by an EAJA fee application.
Perez Fombona matter, No. 1:26-cv-01315-DAD-JDP (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Espinoza Salas matter, No. 1:26-cv-01470-DAD-EFB (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Vilcape Garate v. Chestnut, No. 1:26-cv-01472-DAD-SCR (E.D. Cal.)
Favorable habeas disposition followed by an EAJA fee motion.
Quiroz Martinez matter, No. 1:26-cv-01611-DC-AC (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Perez Velasquez matter, No. 1:26-cv-01617-KES-SAB (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Rodriguez Morales matter, No. 1:26-cv-01727-KES-EPG (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Velasquez Mazariegos matter, No. 1:26-cv-02010-DC-AC (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained, followed by an EAJA fee application.
Martinez Gabarette matter, No. 1:26-cv-02116-JLT-CDB (E.D. Cal.)
Release obtained following a federal habeas filing.
Soberanis Cebrero matter, No. 1:26-cv-02218-TLN-DMC (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Zuniga Zuniga matter, No. 1:26-cv-02309-TLN-JDP (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained despite unfavorable authority asserted by the government. An EAJA fee application followed.
Jimenez Perez v. Andrews, No. 1:26-cv-02422-DAD-AC (E.D. Cal.)
Federal habeas petition granted. The court ordered ICE to release the client immediately and entered judgment in July 2026.
Barrios Pena matter, No. 1:26-cv-02474-DC-SCR (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Alvarado Cubias v. Semaia, No. 5:26-cv-02010-JDE (C.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained, followed by post-judgment proceedings for attorneys’ fees.
Urias matter, No. 5:26-cv-02753-DTB (C.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Montes Herrera matter, No. 3:26-cv-02891-CAB-GC (S.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Alvarez-Gonzalez matter, No. 1:26-cv-03060-JLT-SKO (E.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Mejia Texta matter, No. 3:26-cv-03646-RBM-JLB (S.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained for two brothers after warrantless arrest, search and seizure
Texta Lopez matter, No. 3:26-cv-03647-RBM-MSB (S.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Sohom Mas matter, No. 3:26-cv-01913-JO-BJW (S.D. Cal.)
Immediate release obtained.
Vargas Sivira v. Noem, No. 1:25-cv-01987-KES-EPG (E.D. Cal.)
Served in a co-counsel and local-counsel capacity in litigation resulting in favorable habeas relief and the client’s release.
Majano Mendoza v. Andrews, No. 1:26-cv-01976-DAD-CSK (E.D. Cal.)
The court ordered the client’s immediate release on March 17, 2026. The case is closed, and an EAJA attorneys’ fee motion followed.
Nunez Trujillo v. Moss, No. 1:26-cv-03897-TLN-AC (E.D. Cal.)
The court granted a preliminary injunction and ordered the client’s immediate release. The court also prohibited re-detention without advance notice and a pre-deprivation hearing before a neutral decision-maker.
Calderon Estrada v. Murray, No. 1:26-cv-04052-MWJS (E.D. Cal.)
The court entered judgment, and the client was released in June 2026. Post-judgment EAJA fee work followed.
Najera Penitu v. Chestnut, No. 1:26-cv-04639-DAD-JDP (E.D. Cal.)
The court granted habeas relief and ordered the client’s immediate release following a warrantless immigration arrest.
Abdeltawab v. Armant, No. 5:26-cv-01520-MWF-DTB (C.D. Cal.)
Obtained preliminary-injunction relief requiring removal of the client’s ankle monitor and addressing other restrictive supervision conditions. The monitor was removed, and judgment was subsequently entered.
Federal Habeas Corpus — Bond Hearings
In other cases, Lal Legal has obtained federal orders requiring the government to provide clients with constitutionally adequate bond hearings.
Segura Escobar matter, No. 5:26-cv-00385-MCS-MAA (C.D. Cal.)
Temporary restraining order granted and bond hearing ordered.
Anaya Flores matter, No. 1:26-cv-00069-DAD-JDP (E.D. Cal.)
Bond hearing ordered.
Parias Ramales matter, No. 5:26-cv-00040-FMO (C.D. Cal.)
Bond hearing ordered.
Munoz Juarez matter, No. 3:26-cv-00827-BAS-BJW (S.D. Cal.)
Bond hearing ordered.
Rojo Silvestre matter, No. 3:26-cv-00999-JES-JLB (S.D. Cal.)
Bond hearing ordered, followed by an EAJA fee application.
Escobar De Leon matter, No. 1:26-cv-02348-JLT-SAB (E.D. Cal.)
Bond hearing ordered.
Vargas Cabrera matter, No. 5:26-cv-01575-SK (C.D. Cal.)
Bond hearing ordered.
Delgado matter, No. 5:26-cv-03550-JDE (C.D. Cal.)
Bond hearing ordered.
Arellano Flores v. Murray, No. 1:26-cv-02897-JLT-SAB (E.D. Cal.)
The court granted the habeas petition and preliminary injunction and ordered the government to provide a substantive bond hearing. The case closed on May 18, 2026.
Pending Federal Habeas Litigation
Lal Legal also represents clients in pending federal habeas matters challenging arrest, re-arrest, prolonged detention, and detention without a constitutionally adequate hearing.
Zevallos Hurtado matter, No. 5:26-cv-01884-ADS (C.D. Cal.)
Balladares Noguera matter, No. 5:26-cv-03678-MAR (C.D. Cal.)
Valle v. LaRose, No. 3:26-cv-03731-LL-AHG (S.D. Cal.)
Nolasco Ventura v. Semaia, No. 5:26-cv-03952-AYP (C.D. Cal.)
Bueso Flores matter, No. 1:26-cv-04245-KES-EPG (E.D. Cal.)
Abdeltawab v. Armant, No. 5:26-cv-01520-MWF-DTB (C.D. Cal.)
Federal Appellate Litigation
Ruf v. Barr, No. 18-70444 (9th Cir.)
Briefed a petition for review challenging an immigration decision before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Hoang v. Barr/Garland, No. 19-72953 (9th Cir.)
Briefed a petition for review before the Ninth Circuit involving equitable tolling and attorney-diligence issues.
Attorneys’ Fees and Post-Judgment Litigation
Following favorable federal judgments, Lal Legal has pursued attorneys’ fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act in numerous matters.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its particular facts, procedural history, governing law, assigned court, and available evidence. Some matters listed above were handled with co-counsel or in a local-counsel capacity.