Crowell & Moring, Gibson Dunn, and Zuckerman Spaeder protect the rights of immigrants through unwavering strategic litigation
WASHINGTON—The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (formerly known as CAIR Coalition) is pleased to honor three law firms that have worked tirelessly this year and, in the past, to provide unwavering strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation.
Crowell & Moring, Gibson Dunn, and Zuckerman Spaeder will each receive Amica Center’s Defenders of Due Process Award at the annual Fall Fundraiser on October 8, 2025, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. These three firms have been dedicated to supporting Amica Center and our work at a time when litigation excellence is crucial to protect the due process rights of immigrant children and adults across the country.
“The dedicated support from these three law firms has been instrumental in resisting the assaults on our communities,” said Michael Lukens, Executive Director at Amica Center. “We are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of immigrants. By stepping up to provide pro bono support, these firms ensure that people facing dire conditions in detention and the threat of deportation receive the legal assistance they desperately need. These awards represent only a small token of our immense gratitude for their tireless dedication.”
Crowell & Moring has been critical in challenging ICE’s inhumane detention in Baltimore holding rooms in the ongoing case, D.N.N. v. Baker. The case challenges ICE’s cruel treatment of people it detains in essentially cages in Baltimore, where people are held in overcrowded and life-threatening conditions. Their dedicated efforts led to a court order ensuring that two class plaintiffs, both mothers who were denied essential medications while held at Baltimore Holding Rooms, remain safe in the U.S. during our class action lawsuit.
Gibson Dunn has been a steadfast partner, aiding our litigation team in multiple complex cases. In Amica Center v. DOJ, the firm is working alongside us to challenge the termination of basic legal services for immigrants in ICE detention. Their contributions have been crucial as we seek to reinstate access to basic legal information services and ‘Know Your Rights’ presentations for immigrants facing deportation nationwide.
Additionally, in CLSEPA v. HHS, Gibson Dunn is advocating for over 26,000 unaccompanied immigrant children across the country who are at risk of losing legal representation. Thanks to the firm’s expertise, we have secured a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction, allowing nonprofits to continue providing essential support as we prepare for further legal battles.
Zuckerman Spaeder has been instrumental in working to restore direct legal representation for immigrants with serious mental illness in the ongoing case of American Gateways v. DOJ. Their expertise has enabled us to challenge the termination of the National Qualified Representative Program, which provides legal representation for immigrants deemed incompetent to represent themselves in immigration court due to mental illness.
While these awards recognize the commitment of the three firms working on impact litigation, the dedication of all our pro bono partners who represent individual clients cannot be overstated. Immigrants need attorneys by their side in court, during check-ins, and throughout their entire legal journey. Amica Center’s pro bono partners play a crucial role beyond impact litigation. Their expertise not only protects marginalized individuals but also helps us navigate complex organizational challenges, supports our lobbying efforts, and amplifies our advocacy for those in need. Thanks to their unwavering support, we can ensure that everyone, regardless of legal status, has access to due process and legal representation.
Contact: media@amicacenter.org