Master Federal Court Advocacy

So You Can Stop Referring Cases Out and Start Taking Control!

Step into federal court with clarity, strategy, and confidence.

Stop hesitating when a detained client needs urgent action.

BLOCK ICE: Master Federal Habeas for Immigration Detention is a live, virtual small group intensive designed specifically for experienced immigration attorneys who are ready to expand into federal habeas litigation—without learning the hard way.

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Sound familiar?

  • Urgent Client Calls: Your client has been detained unjustly and every second counts.
  • The "Federal Court" Barrier: Stepping into federal court is a different world with its own rules, procedures, and expectations.
  • The High Cost of Trial and Error: Without a clear roadmap, most attorneys face missed opportunities, referred-out cases, or—worst of all—clients remaining detained longer than necessary.
  • The Knowledge Gap: You have strong courtroom experience, but in today’s climate, habeas is no longer optional—it’s essential.

    There's a better way.

    • Imagine Handling a Habeas Case from Start to Finish—Without Guessing

    Instead of hesitation, you act immediately when a detained client calls.

    You know:Whether the case presents a viable habeas claim; exactly where and how to file; how to structure your arguments; what the government will argue—and how to respond

    When you walk into federal court, you’re not out of your depth. You understand the rules. The expectations. The strategy.

    You’re no longer referring cases out. You’re handling them.

    Your clients stay in your care—and you expand your practice into a new, high-value area of litigation.

    This is what becomes possible with BLOCK ICE: Master Federal Habeas for Immigration Detention

    From EOIR to Federal Court—Make the Transition with Precision

    BLOCK ICE: Master Federal Habeas for Immigration Detention

    This is not a theoretical course. This is a practical, litigation-focused live virtual cohort designed to take you from: “I’ve never filed a habeas” to “I can build, file, and litigate this case with confidence”.

    You’ll learn directly from Sarah Ellison Hernandez, an attorney who has 16 years of litigation experience, served as a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, worked as a DHS/OPLA attorney, and sat on the bench as an Immigration Judge.

    Now you get the insider knowledge playbook.

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    Across 6 live sessions, you’ll develop a complete, practical framework for federal habeas litigation.

    Module I: Concepts & Foundations

    Module I: Concepts & Foundations

  • What habeas corpus is and how it functions in immigration detention.
  • The legal framework: statutes, rules, and governing procedures.
  • The difference between civil and criminal detention.
  • How immigration detention authority works (mandatory vs. discretionary).
  • Key Supreme Court cases shaping habeas litigation.
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    Module II: Standing & Jurisdiction

  • Who can file a habeas petition and what qualifies as “custody”.
  • How to establish standing, including use of a “next friend”.
  • When exhaustion is required (and when it is not).
  • How to identify the correct court, venue, and respondents.
  • How jurisdiction can be challenged or limited.
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    Module III: Developing a Claim & Relief

  • How to identify viable statutory and constitutional claims.
  • Differences between pre-removal and post-order detention claims.
  • Specialized claims (e.g., bond, prolonged detention, OSUP revocations).
  • How to determine and frame the appropriate relief.
  • Building a legally and factually strong theory of the case.
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    Module IV: Drafting & Filing a Petition

  • How to structure a persuasive habeas petition from start to finish.
  • Drafting facts, legal arguments, and causes of action.
  • When and how to seek emergency relief (TROs and preliminary injunctions).
  • Proper use of exhibits and supporting documentation.
  • Filing mechanics: service, civil cover sheets, and local rule compliance.
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    Module V: Hearings & Evidence

  • What to expect at a habeas hearing and how they are structured.
  • Burdens of proof and how to meet them.
  • How to present evidence effectively (documents, testimony, demonstratives).
  • Preparing your client for testimony and court appearance.
  • Practical courtroom strategy, including working with judges, interpreters, and technology.
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    Module VI: Compliance, Appeals & Updates

  • How to enforce a habeas order (motions to enforce, reconsider, contempt).
  • Steps to take when the government fails to comply.
  • How to initiate and handle an appeal.
  • Understanding circuit court procedures and requirements.
  • Staying current on evolving case law and practical litigation strategies.

    • You won’t leave with just notes. You’ll leave with assets you can use immediately.

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    Why This Training Works (And Others Don’t)

    Most immigration CLEs teach you what the law says. They do not teach you:

    How to act quickly under pressure

    How to structure a real habeas case

    How to navigate federal court procedures

    How to respond when the government moves to dismiss

    Who This Training Is For


    This program is different. It’s built for attorneys who already understand immigration law— and now need to execute in federal court.

    You have experience in removal defense and detention cases

    You handled bond hearings or EOIR proceedings

    You want to expand into federal litigation

    You are tired of referring habeas cases out

    Want to increase both capability and revenue

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    What Attorneys Say About Us

    Giselle M. Rodriguez

    Law Office

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    I am just so appreciative of Tamaira. From the moment we started our meeting, Tamaira made me feel comfortable and at ease. It's not often you come across a fellow legal professional who can make complex topics accessible and unintimidating. Throughout our meeting, which was focused on a bond hearing I joined with another colleague also seeking Tamaira's expertise, I never once felt hesitant to ask questions. Tamaira has this incredible ability to ensure you never feel like any question is too trivial or "stupid" to ask. Her approachability and willingness to share her knowledge made the experience beyond what words can describe. She walked us through the process step by step, iand gave us valuable insights and "gems" of knowledge that are hard to come by. Having met with Tamaira has even inspired me to consider adding bond hearings as a service at my firm. Whether you're a colleague seeking to expand your service offerings or a client in need of guidance, I cannot recommend Tamaira enough. I will continue to use her services and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from her. Thank you, Tamaira, for being such an outstanding mentor in the legal community!!

    BLG

    Legal Services

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Tamaira has been an invaluable assistance to my legal practice, providing exceptional mentorship and guidance in navigating complex immigration court proceedings. Tamaira's deep understanding of immigration law, coupled with her extensive experience in the field, makes her an ideal mentor for anyone seeking to excel in the immigration court proceedings. Her insights, advice, and support have played a significant role in achieving successful outcomes for my clients. I highly recommend Tamaira to anyone wishing to master their immigration law practice skills.

    Aridssa N. Martinez

    Owner/Managing Attorney at ANM Law Office

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    I had several mentoring sessions with retired judge Barr in preparation of my first individual hearing and I have to say these sessions were extremely helpful. We did a simulation of what to expect at the merits hearing and by the time I had my first individual hearing, I was not as nervous. Judge Barr was also very flexible with his schedule and understanding when something came up last minute that made me have to reschedule our sessions. If you’re new to removal defense, I fully recommend Tamaira’s immigration court mentor program as part of your training/preparation.

    Barbara Perez

    Law Office

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Tamaira has been a mentor of mine since I first opened my law firm. She is not only experienced and is able to provide valuable advice but she is also caring and encouraging. If you are new to practicing removal proceedings, her mentorship program is the perfect solution. She will help with not only the procedural aspect of it but the sustantive part of it as well.
    Thanks to her invaluable assistance, our merits hearing unfolded seamlessly, leaving both my client and me immensely pleased and grateful.

    Reyadh Nagi

    Owner and CEO at Law Office of Reyadh Nagi

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    I highly recommend taking the Immigration Court Mentor courses if you are new to removal cases or bonds. Tamaira has all the experience and will guide you through it all. You will clear any doubts and fears by learning all the skills you needed to be in court. Tamaira even stayed beyond the session time and tried to make sure I got all my questions answered. I am grateful and look forward to continue to connect with them in the future for more guidance.

    Ayesha Chidolue

    Esq.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    100% recommend Tamaira's court mentor program. She is incredibly knowledgeable and really helps you gain an understanding and confidence to take on removal cases. Additionally, she is always willing and eager to help you brainstorm through complex cases and come up with suggestions on how to assist clients facing deportation.

    Ilia Lopez

    Esq.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Tamaira is amazing! Extremely professional, knowledgeable and able to provide the best mentorship based on her extensive experience. Thank you Tamaira for helping my office to navigate and learn about the complexity of immigration court. Highly recommended!

    Jimmy Lai

    Esq., MBA

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Immigration Court Mentor were really helpful in providing the trainings to get us ready to represent clients diligently. Highly recommend.

    Gus Maclao

    Esq.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Tamaira is the real deal! Her knowledge and experience as a former immigration judge has been an incredible asset for our firm. Our sessions are extremely beneficial. We spend a majority of our time strategizing and preparing arguments for difficult cases and even conduct mock hearings to be best prepared for the most difficult fact patterns. Through her guidance we've been best prepared and had successful outcomes in even the most difficult cases. The amount of resources for attorney mentorship is limited and Tamaira makes her time with you worth every second. Whether you are a new attorney wanting to learn immigration or a seasoned attorney wanting to discuss case strategy, Tamaira has you covered. I'm happy to have Tamaira as a resource and recommend her services. Will definitely use again!

    LIMITED SPOTS - REGISTER NOW

    This small, in depth training experience separates federal litigators from the rest.

    THIS LIVE VIRTUAL COHORT RUNS EACH MONDAY, WEDNESDAY FRIDAY
    MAY 18 - 29, 2026
    @ 2pm Eastern/ 1pm Central/ 12pm Mountain/ 11am Pacific (one hour sessions)

    ONLY 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
    Flexible payments available at checkout

    $2,499
    Reg Enrollment Fee $2,999

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    Law Firm Discount: Register up to 2 participants from your firm to unlock preferential rates. Your discount will be automatically applied when you select your seat numbers at checkout.

    • Join a high-level learning environment with peers focused on federal litigation.
    • Get your toughest case questions answered during interactive Q&A.
    • 6-Month Access to Replays.
    • Master your filings with reference materials designed for federal practice.
    Sarah M. Ellison Hernandez, J.D.

    Meet Your Instructor

    Sarah M. Ellison Hernandez served as a United States Immigration Judge in Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas for seven years, where she presided over thousands of cases and adjudicated a wide range of matters.

    Her experience on the bench provides her with a deep understanding of how cases are evaluated, how records are developed, and how legal arguments are received in immigration court.

    Prior to her judicial appointment, Sarah gained extensive litigation experience in federal and immigration courts as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Texas, and an Assistant Chief Counsel with the Department of Homeland Security.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    This is an advanced, practical intensive designed for experienced immigration attorneys who already understand removal defense and bond hearings but want to bridge the gap into federal court. It is not a beginner-level course on immigration law; rather, it is a high-level litigation "playbook" for those ready to execute federal habeas petitions.

    This course may be eligible for CLE credit with your state Bar Association. There are six sessions of 60 minutes (total of 6 hrs) of GENERAL instructions.

    The cost of the course is often covered by retaining just one high-value habeas case that you would otherwise have referred out, allowing you to increase both your firm’s capability and its revenue.

    Most courses teach you what the law is; we teach you how to litigate. You are learning from an instructor with unique "insider" experience as a former Immigration Judge, AUSA, and DHS/OPLA attorney.

    Yes. This cohort is specifically built for immigration attorneys who have experience in removal defense and detention cases. Because the enrollment is strictly limited to 8 attorneys, the training is tailored to practitioners who can immediately apply these federal strategies to their existing case loads.

    While the sessions are live and interactive on Zoom (scheduled for May 18–29, 2026), recordings will be made available for a limited time after the course to ensure you can review complex litigation strategies at your own pace.

    Right now, you have a gap in your practice.

    And every time a habeas case comes in, you have two options: refer it out or hesitate.

    Both cost you revenue, control and growth.

    Your clients need attorneys who can act—quickly and competently.

    You deserve to be that attorney.

    Only 8 seats available for this cohort. Save your seat now.

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