Filing a Habeas Petition on PACER Made Easy: Pushing the Right Buttons
This is not your typical habeas panel! Although our speakers will begin with a practical discussion of when habeas corpus is truly appropriate—especially in today’s climate of heightened immigration detention—the focus of this seminar is on the actual mechanics of preparing and filing. Through live screensharing and real-time Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) walkthroughs, attendees will learn exactly how to structure the case, file the petition, submit supporting documents and emergency motions, and respond to anticipated court actions with confidence.
Featured Topics
- Overview of when habeas corpus is a viable option in the current enforcement landscape, and how to vet cases before filing
- Naming, venue, and case structure: choosing the right respondent, understanding jurisdiction, and properly captioning the case
- Live, PACER filing tutorial: opening the case, uploading documents, and paying fees
- Supporting documents: what to file with the petition, including exhibits and affidavits
- Emergency motions: how and when to file temporary restraining orders (TROs) and preliminary injunctions (PIs)
- After filing: anticipated court actions (i.e., orders to show cause, summary denials, scheduling orders) and how to respond effectively
AILA Membership Benefit – Access to Free Seminar Recordings (CLE Credit Available for $35)
Enjoy access to free seminar recordings as an AILA Member. AILA encourages live attendance for those wishing to ask the speaker questions. CLE credit is included with purchase for live participants.
Recordings will be available approximately two weeks after the live event date. AILA members can access these seminars, with no CLE credit, for free. Recordings are CLE eligible in most jurisdictions and a $35 administration fee is required to obtain CLE credit.
Contact us at cle@aila.org or visit AILA’s Web Seminar Recordings page for more information about receiving CLE credit for a web seminar recording.
| Product Details | |
| Event Date | October 16, 2025 |
| Format | Web Seminar |
| Length | 90 minutes |
| CLE Eligible | Yes. Live attendance must be recorded in My CLE by Thursday, October 23, 2025. This deadline does not apply to the OnDemand format. |
| Digital Library | Digital goods (MP3, PDF, ZIP, etc.) are available for download for two years after purchase. |
Eligible participants can receive up to 1.8 CLE credit hours. AILA will administer CLE credit only to individuals who register and log into the web seminar. AILA cannot verify your attendance and participation in this program unless you register directly for the web seminar and use your name to log in to participate in the program. Therefore, persons who log in or listen in on the web seminar as part of a group will not be able to obtain CLE credit.
Please note that your jurisdiction may limit the amount of distance learning credit you can earn. To view details on your jurisdiction's credit restrictions and CLE requirements, visit the CLE Center.
AILA has filed for CLE and specialized credit in all jurisdictions with mandatory CLE requirements. For details about specific approvals, contact us at cle@aila.org.
- AILA applies for accreditation upon attorneys’ request after participation for the following states: AR, DE, IA, ID, KS, KY, LA, ME, MN, MS, OR, TN and WY. Programs are typically approved.
- Florida and Rhode Island - Attorneys must apply on their own for approval of seminars in FL and RI. Programs are typically approved.
- The OnDemand Recording format does not qualify for CLE credit in the following jurisdictions: MO and PR. Please note that your jurisdiction may limit OnDemand credit based on the date of the original presentation. View the OnDemand Downloadable Expiration Chart for more details.
To receive CLE credit for the live event, attorneys must record web seminar attendance and the CLE code provided by October 23, 2025 via My CLE.
Contact us at cle@aila.org or visit AILA’s Web Seminar Recordings page for more information about receiving CLE credit for a seminar recording.
Anthony Drago Jr. (DL), AILA Removal Defense Section Steering Committee, Boston, MA
Anthony Drago, Jr., Esq. is a sole practitioner with an office in Boston, MA. Attorney Drago has practiced law in Boston, MA since 1988. He is admitted to the bars in MA and NY and has been a member of AILA since 1996. Attorney Drago served as an elected Director on AILA’s Board of Governors from June, 2011 through May, 2013 and was Chapter Chair of AILA NE from June, 2009 through May, 2010. He has served on local and national liaison committees for many years and is a regular speaker at AILA conferences.
Joshua A. Altman, AILA Federal Court Litigation Section Steering Committee, San Diego, CA
Joshua A. Altman worked in the Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review’s immigration courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, and front office for nearly a decade before moving to private practice in 2018. He brings an extensive knowledge of agency decision-making practices and substantive law and applies his civil litigation and appellate advocacy skills to solving complex immigration matters.
Hassan Ahmad, Sterling, VA
Hassan Ahmad is principal at The HMA Law Firm, focusing on immigration and criminal defense in Virginia, Maryland, and DC for over 20 years. He is a past candidate for state office, and served on various state advisory boards and commissions in connection with immigration. His practice is heavy on removal and federal court litigation and is a frequent speaker and contributor in local and national media.
Mark A. Prada, Miami, FL
Mark A. Prada is a founding member of Prada Dominguez, PLLC. He primarily devotes his time to federal court litigation, including challenges against agency actions and policies of USCIS, habeas work against ICE, FOIA actions against federal agencies, challenges to agency action and policies of other federal agencies, and petitions for review of BIA decisions and other appellate work. Mark began his legal career by representing victims of domestic violence and other crimes as part of a nonprofit organization.
