MLFA protects the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution through targeted civil litigation against the federal, state and local governments, and select private organizations.
MLFA’s civil litigation actions contest the use of the Terrorist Watch Lists used to deny substantive constitutional rights to individuals, the denial of religious accommodations by federal and state governments to eligible persons and organizations, unlawful activities by hate groups, and the denial of services based on religious affiliation.
Click below to learn more about our civil practice, or to submit information for review and consideration by our attorneys.
The rights granted to both citizens and non-citizens in the United States under the Constitution protect the most basic of human rights.
MLFA works to ensure that in the criminal arena, all people, have the same rights guaranteed under law by the Constitution, regardless of one’s race, religion, or country of origin. We handle and assist in federal criminal cases where the government assertions of national security have the potential to compromise the constitutional rights of the defendant and are of importance to the Muslim community.
Click on the button below to learn more about work in national security cases, or to submit information for review and consideration by our attorneys.
In the field of immigration, MLFA is committed to fighting for the rights of Muslims in the United States facing discrimination based on race, religion, or country of origin.
To that end, we represent individuals in removal proceedings, immigration appeals, and federal court, when we have reason to believe that our clients are being treated unfairly in violation of the Constitution. These cases often involve complex factual and legal questions of national security, and we select cases that demonstrate a broader impact on the Muslim community at large.
Click on the specific links below to learn more about an area of interest, or click here to submit information for review and consideration by our attorneys.
The FBI seeks to interview members of the Muslim community for multiple reasons apart from investigating the individual for criminal wrong doing.
These reasons include: interviewing potential witnesses, conducting background checks for immigration and other federal benefits, gaining intelligence regarding the Muslim community, and recruiting informants. Even if you believe that you have done nothing wrong or have nothing to hide, choosing to talk with the FBI or other members of the terrorism task force is a serious matter with the potential to subject the person being questioned to criminal sanction and /or derogatory administrative consequences. Consequently, we recommend consulting with an attorney prior to agreeing to speak with the FBI and other members of the Terrorism Task Force.
To apply for assistance with an FBI interview click here.
MLFA empowers the Muslim nonprofit community by providing a range of pro bono legal services, training, and community outreach.
LEGAL SERVICES:
- GRC Legal Screenings
- Bylaws Review
- Pro Bono Governance Legal Clinics (Bylaws Review) in select cities ONLY.
TRAINING
- MLFA CLE’s
- MLFA “Lunch & Learn” webinars on nonprofit law topics
- Virtual Workshops – by request only.
Community education is key to ensuring individuals recognize when their fundamental rights protected by the U.S. Constitution are being violated.
In an effort to empower individuals, MLFA has been hosting seminars for Muslim community leaders and Imams on a wide variety of topics, including engaging with law enforcement, immigration, law, non-profit law, prisoners’ rights, international humanitarian aid, banking regulations, and information about watch lists. We also work to educate members of the Muslim community directly through hosting legal seminars and presentations at two of the largest gatherings of Muslims in America, ICNA and ISNA.
MLFA represents defendants filing federal habeas petitions under 18 USC § 2255 for national security related cases and cases involving religious discrimination.
Habeas actions are civil appeals of a final criminal conviction, in an attempt to overturn a conviction, obtain a new trial, or reduce a sentence. Habeas petitions are allowed to be filed within one year of the final judgement of one’s criminal case. This is often a defendant’s last chance to argue their case once all criminal appeals have been exhausted. MLFA can assist with reviewing the record of trial, identifying constitutional issues which may be reviewable in Federal habeas actions on a final appeal, drafting habeas petitions, participating in evidentiary hearings, when granted, and arguing for relief under this statute.
If you think you or a family member may benefit from the filing of a Habeas action, click here to get more information of what is involved.
