Author: Lance Curtright
DMCA Partner Paul Hunker interviewed by NBC/DFW on ICE’s weekend arrests
Former Dallas-Fort Worth ICE Chief Counsel, and current DMCA partner, Paul Hunker provided insight into ICE’s arrests over the weekend. From the article: “It’s a plan that some former ICE officials say will take time to implement, at an agency with limited resources. ‘It’s very challenging because ICE doesn’t have any more officers than it had before Trump became president,’ said Paul Hunker, who served as chief legal counsel at ICE in Dallas where he was involved in enforcement operations. Hunker says the agency would likely need assistance from other federal law enforcement agencies to quickly ramp up arrests, and ... Read more
Fifth Circuit’s recent decision on DACA program
On January 17, 2025, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an important ruling on DACA. Here are the takeaways: Importantly, the Fifth Circuit decision allows ALL current DACA recipients, no matter what State they reside in, to apply to renew their DACA status. This means current DACA recipients can continue to apply to DHS to renew their DACA grants. The ruling also allows applicants to file their first or initial DACA application. However, those applicants residing in Texas are not qualified to receive work authorization. Finally, the Fifth Circuit decision also upheld the part of DACA ... Read more
Trump’s Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship
The 14th Amendment states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Despite the plain meaning of the Amendment’s text, the Trump administration issued an Executive Order claiming that some persons born in the United States are not citizens. The EO runs contrary to centuries of Supreme Court decisions construing the Amendment’s application to all persons born in the country—regardless of their parents’ immigration status. The EO only applies to children born 30 days from the date ... Read more
Trump’s inauguration on MLK Day
So ends a transformative day of contrasts. We celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of championing civil rights while watching President Trump claim to honor MLK’s dream, in part, by promising the largest mass deportation program since the Eisenhower administration. Whose vision of America will prevail? The frequently repeated mantra “don’t believe what Trump says but watch what he does” has no application in the arena of immigration. His day 1 actions caught up with his rhetoric. Under the dubious title “Make America Safe Again” he is already “ending asylum for illegal border crossers, cracking down on criminal sanctuaries, and ... Read more
DMCA partner Paul Hunker recently shared his experience on worksite immigration raids
Before joining DMCA last year, Paul Hunker was the Chief Counsel of the Dallas branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He recently shared his experience leading ICE on worksite immigration enforcement raids during his 30 years with the agency. From the KERA news story: “Usually, in terms of worksites, we have some information – someone has come to us and told us, you know, that there are undocumented persons that are working there,” Paul Hunker, former chief counsel for ICE in Dallas, told The Texas Newsroom. He said they often receive “intelligence” from an employee or are following up ... Read more
Trump’s executive order on immigration–what you need to know
After failing to mount a successful response to COVID-19, President Trump issued an executive order limiting immigration. The stated reason for the partial ban is to protect American jobs; however, it is well documented that robust immigration helps create jobs for Americans. As such, it is likely that the President’s order will harm the economy rather than aid it. The President’s Executive Order—like his previous orders on immigration—will almost certainly be challenged in Court. The President’s authority to “ban” immigration is not unlimited and is particularly subject to a legal attack when it is based on groundless claims like those ... Read more
COVID-19 and Immigration Court Cases
In the past few days, we’ve seen various changes to the processing of cases before the Immigration Courts and ICE. Although the Immigration Courts have cancelled many hearings, the courts have remained open to receive filings. ICE has temporarily changed many of its standard practices. To provide you with the most current information about what’s happening, below we have answered various questions we have recently received. What’s happening with hearings before the Immigration Courts? Hearings scheduled through April 10, 2020, for persons in the United States who are not detained have been postponed. For those that are waiting on hearings ... Read more
Coronavirus/COVID-19 y Casos ante la Corte de Inmigración
En los últimos días, hemos visto muchos cambios sobre el procesamiento de casos inmigratorios con la Corte de Inmigración y con ICE. La Corte de Inmigración canceló varias audiencias y en muchos lugares solo está recibiendo el archivo de documentos. Temporalmente ICE también está cambiando sus pólizas. Para ponerle al corriente de lo que está pasando, abajo tenemos respuestas a las preguntas más recibidas del momento. ¿Qué está pasando con las audiencias ante la Corte de Inmigración? Para los que no están detenidos, sus audiencias fechadas hasta el 10 de abril del 2020 ante la Corte de Inmigración han sido ... Read more
How the Coronavirus is affecting the processing of visas at U.S. consulates
As a result of COVID-19 pandemic, there have been several changes in the government’s processing of consular cases for the issuance of routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. As of March 18th, the Department of State has suspended routine visa services in most countries worldwide. Embassies and consulates have cancelled all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. Embassies and consulates will resume routine visa services as soon as possible, but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. Applicants are still able to submit all fees, applications and supporting documents required by the National Visa Center (NVC) relating to ... Read more
How USCIS is processing applications for visas during the Coronavirus pandemic
In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, beginning March 18, all USCIS Field Offices and Application Service Center Offices are closed to the public. USCIS is not conducting interviews, fingerprint appointments or oath ceremonies. A date for re-opening to the public has not been set, but once this happens, the cancelled appointments will automatically be rescheduled. While USCIS is closed to the public, the government employees are still working. USCIS continues to receive and process applications for naturalization, adjustment of status, DACA, renewal of permanent residency cards, removal of conditions, etc. DMCA attorneys are filing these on behalf ... Read more
Como la Coronavirus affecta el proceso de pedir y recibir visas en los consulados americanos
Como resultado de la pandemia de COVID-19, ha habido varios cambios por parte del gobierno en el procesamiento de casos consulares para la emisión de visas de inmigrantes y no inmigrantes. A partir del 18 de marzo, el Departamento de Estado ha suspendido los servicios de visas de rutina en la mayoría de los países del mundo. Las embajadas y consulados han cancelado todas las citas de visas de inmigrantes y no inmigrantes de rutina. Las embajadas y consulados reanudarán los servicios de visa lo antes posible, pero no pueden proporcionar una fecha específica en este momento. Los solicitantes aún ... Read more
DMCA Partner and Professor of Law Marisol Perez starts another year of classes at St. Mary’s School of Law
Marisol begins her third year of teaching students immigration law at St. Mary’s School of Law. She still maintains a full caseload at DMCA even while taking on her teaching responsibilities. If you’d like a consultation with Marisol or one of DMCA’s other attorneys (including one of our 7 attorneys certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in immigration law), call us at (210)590-1844. Marisol Pérez