J. Z. et al. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security et al., Case No. 26-1510
Summary
Six detained immigrants—including survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence, an abused child, a spouse of a U.S. citizen, and a Cuban national fleeing persecution—are challenging a Trump-Vance administration policy that blocks detained people from completing their applications for immigration relief.
There are legal pathways specifically for people like these plaintiffs, all of which require applicants to submit biometrics as a mandatory step (e.g., fingerprints, photographs, signatures). Until December 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) routinely collected biometrics from people in immigration detention. Then, without notice or public comment, DHS announced it would no longer do so for people with applications pending before USCIS. At the same time, it confirmed it would continue denying applications as "abandoned" when applicants miss biometrics appointments—and that detention is not an accepted reason to reschedule.
The result is a trap: detained immigrants must submit biometrics to have their applications for relief considered, but DHS refuses to collect them, and detainees cannot attend USCIS appointments on their own. Because immigration courts cannot grant the specific relief these plaintiffs seek (T and U visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, follow-to-join asylum, and certain adjustment of status applications all fall under USCIS's exclusive jurisdiction), denial means no second chance.
The lawsuit argues the policy violates federal immigration law, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Fifth Amendment's due process guarantee. Plaintiffs are asking the court to block and vacate the policy and order DHS to resume collecting biometrics for detained applicants.
Co-Counsel:
Plaintiffs are represented by the National Immigration Project, Democracy Forward, and the National Immigrant Justice Center.