Lowenstein Sandler and co-counsel successfully defeated a motion to dismiss filed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a class action suit brought by New Jersey detainees at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center (MVPC) in Pennsylvania, alleging the denial of virtual access to state court proceedings.
As reported by Law360, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Haines of Pennsylvania's Western District ruled to allow the class action to proceed. The Judge affirmed the findings of Magistrate Judge Patricia Dodge that the plaintiffs’ claims “plausibly state[d] a claim for denial of access to the courts because of the deprivations caused by the [Defendants’] policy under the First, Fifth and Sixth Amendments."
“We're pleased that Judge Haines recognized that our complaint, which asks ICE to simply allow our clients to appear in New Jersey criminal courts using readily accessible technology, raises important constitutional concerns," says, Natalie J. Kraner, partner and Director of the center. “We're eager to continue litigating the case to ensure that our clients have basic access to the courts that the Constitution guarantees."
In 2025, the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest helped successfully secure a preliminary injunction requiring that individuals detained at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center (MVPC) be given immediate virtual access to the New Jersey court system.
The ruling temporarily halted a policy that prohibited individuals detained at the remote Pennsylvania detention facility from appearing at virtual court hearings in New Jersey by barring access to Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or the telephone, even though such technology is readily available and routinely used at MVPC for immigration court appearances.
In addition to Kraner, the Lowenstein team includes Gavin J. Rooney, Alexander Shalom, Naomi D. Barrowclough, Rachel Moseson Dikovics, Anish Patel, Noemi S. Schor, Ruth Fong Zimmerman, David Cassidy, and David Hernandez.
About the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest
From its founding, Lowenstein Sandler has been committed to advancing the public interest and serving communities in need. The Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest embodies this commitment, directing the firm’s strong pro bono program and other forms of civic and philanthropic engagement. Through these efforts, the center addresses significant social problems and offers meaningful assistance to low-income and other marginalized people, along with the organizations that advocate for and support them. This work engages the full range of the firm’s talents and reflects the core values that imbue all of the firm’s efforts: to perform work of the highest quality in a manner that maximizes results for our clients and causes.
