Digital Forensics for Immigration Defense.
We reconstruct digital timelines and forensic evidence that keep families together. At Lake Effect, we know deportation cases turn on timeline evidence and proudly provide forensically sound evidence collection that withstands scrutiny. We reconstruct digital proof (cell tower data, device forensics, social media archives, etc.) that establishes continuous presence.
Our robust experience in adversary emulation made us passionate about finding vulnerabilities ahead of threat actors. Immigration defense is the same principle; think like opposing counsel for tight evidence, find evidence before it's lost, build the case before the hearing, and protect people from a system designed to separate families.
Every deportation defense case is a race against time and an adversary with significant resources. We level that fight by bringing elite forensic tradecraft to your team, aimed at keeping families intact and people in their homes instead of separating your clients from what they hold dear.
Defensible methodology. Expert testimony that withstands cross-examination. Fast turnaround for time-sensitive cases.
Michigan Licensed PI Agency
OSCP | OSWP | GMOB
About Lake Effect
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Lake Effect Investigations is a Michigan-licensed PI agency run by investigators who spent years thinking like adversaries—finding vulnerabilities, exploiting assumptions, documenting attack paths. Now we use those same skills to build airtight digital evidence for immigration attorneys fighting deportation cases.
For nearly a decade, we ran threat and attack simulations against banks, healthcare systems, and tech companies. We know how to reconstruct timelines from fragmented data, authenticate digital evidence under scrutiny, and explain technical findings to non-technical audiences (judges included). We've testified to executives, led investigative teams, and earned recognition for work that required both technical precision and investigative rigor.
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- Our specialty is adversarial thinking. We think about what will be challenged ahead of time.
- We document chain of custody the way that withstands scrutiny.
- We build evidence packages designed to survive challenges and hostile cross-examination.
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- Licensed Michigan Private Investigator (License #3701300422)
- Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
- Offensive Security Wireless Professional (OSWP)
- GIAC Mobile Device Security Analyst (GMOB)
- SANS FOR518 Mac & iOS Forensics
- Former adaptive threat replication engineer at a major financial institution
- Trained in adversary simulation, penetration testing, and digital forensics
Services
Documented intelligence collection & timeline verification for complex immigration cases. Comprehensive analysis of digital footprints, verified source documentation, and findings formatted for litigation. Ideal for cases where client device(s) is unavailable, but you need to establish digital presence. We conduct systematic open-source research using forensic collection methods that create court-admissible evidence. Perfect for cases where you need to verify claims, establish digital presence, or identify what opposing counsel will find before they find it.
Includes:
Forensically sound collection methodology (authenticated, preserved, documented)
Comprehensive public records analysis (court filings, property records, business registrations)
Deep social media footprint reconstruction
News mentions and media presence analysis
Cross-referenced verification of claims and timeline
Source credibility assessment
Litigation-ready report formatted for evidence submission
30-minute strategic consultation on findings and case implications
Timeline: 7-10 business days
Geographic Scope: USA
Comprehensive forensic analysis to establish continuous presence and corroborate client testimony in removal proceedings.
Includes:
Mobile device forensics (call logs, messages, location history)
Social media timeline reconstruction with authenticated captures
Financial transaction mapping showing in-state activity
Cell tower location analysis
Email and cloud storage forensics
Written expert report with full chain of custody
Evidence strategy consultation
Timeline: 30-45 days*
Geographic scope: Great Lakes region
Download sample evidence package
*Expedited services available for cases with imminent hearing dates.
Case Specific Services
Email your case type, timeline, and what you're looking to establish
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Fast-response forensic imaging and evidence preservation for time-sensitive cases where digital evidence may be at risk.
Includes:
Same-day or next-day response (Michigan)
Forensic imaging with documented chain of custody
Secure evidence storage
Preliminary analysis for case strategy
Availability: 24-48 hour response
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Live testimony to authenticate digital evidence or explain technical findings to the court.
Includes:
Pre-testimony case review and strategy consultation
Deposition preparation and attendance
Trial testimony
Cross-examination preparation
Travel within Great Lakes region
Contact for rates based on preparation time and testimony duration.
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Priority access and reduced rates for firms handling multiple immigration cases.
Benefits:
Priority scheduling for urgent cases
Reduced per-case rates
Ongoing consultation on digital evidence strategy
Deposition and trial preparation support
Contact us to discuss retainer terms.
