Paul Hunker Op-Ed: legal responsibilities vis-à-vis immigration enforcement and noncitizens
After Boston’s mayor announced her refusal to cooperate with ICE’s deportation efforts, Tom Homan, the soon-to-be border czar under President Trump, criticized her decision as “not very smart” and suggested she should “get the hell out of the way.” Homan warned her about 8 U.S.C. § 1324, a provision of federal law that prohibits alien smuggling, harboring, and shielding from detection. Given the enhanced immigration enforcement of the Trump Administration, municipalities and other organizations are rightly concerned about their legal responsibilities vis-à-vis immigration enforcement and noncitizens. Municipalities are often as identified as “sanctuary cities” when they will not comply with ... Read more
Protect Your Business: I-9 Audits & Workforce Compliance Services
President elect Trump has stated that he will penalize U.S. employers who employ undocumented workers. DMCA has lawyers certified in immigration law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and a former Chief Counsel of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), now working as an attorney for DMCA. We can ensure that your company’s hiring practices do not violate the law and will defend you in the event a violation is found. Why I-9 Audits Are Crucial Every U.S. employer is required to complete an I-9 form for each employee hired. Paperwork violations and violations related to hiring or continuing ... Read more
SCOTUS Overturns Chevron: How will this impact rights of noncitizens?
By Paul Hunker The Supreme Court in Loper Bright overturned Chevron and the deference it accorded agency interpretation of the law. How will this impact the rights of noncitizens? Chevron ruled that if a federal law does not directly speak to the precise question at issue, courts should defer to the agency’s interpretation of the law if based on a permissible construction of the statute. This gave the Department of Homeland Security a big advantage in litigation. (Chevron was a nice arrow in my quiver when I represented DHS; grateful to SCOTUS for overruling it now that I am private ... Read more
Attorney Claudia Baellow named Partner
DMCA is proud to announce Claudia Baellow as our firm’s newest partner. With a background in employment-based immigration law, Claudia has been an integral part of our team for almost a decade. She leads our business immigration section, successfully representing churches, schools, and businesses of all sizes. As partner, Claudia will continue to lead DMCA’s business immigration section, which is well-versed in navigating the intricate web of immigration laws for both employers and workers, on a global scale. We congratulate Claudia on her achievement and look forward to her continued success in the years to come.
DMCA Managing Partner, Lance Curtright, named one of the “Best Immigration Attorneys in San Antonio” by Forbes
DMCA managing partner, Lance Curtright, has been named by Forbes as one of the “Best Immigration Lawyers San Antonio Of 2024” in their Forbes Advisor 2024 series. This recognition highlights Lance’s dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to his clients and their immigration needs. Over the years, Lance has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill in navigating complex immigration issues, making a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals, business and families. His accolade from Forbes is not just a testament to his professional achievements but also a reflection of his passion for for immigration law. Forbes Listing El socio gerent de ... Read more
DMCA Managing Partner, Lance Curtright, provides insights on the upcoming SB 4 law on KSAT12.
In a recent interview with KSAT12, Lance Curtright, Managing Partner of DMCA, shared valuable insights about the pending SB 4 law, highlighting important aspects that people should know about. En una entrevista reciente con KSAT12, Lance Curtright, socio gerente de DMCA, compartió informacion valiosa sobre la ley SB 4, destacando aspectos importantes que la gente debería conocer.
DMCA Welcomes Attorney Paul Hunker to the Team and Opens New Office in Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
DMCA is excited to introduce Attorney Paul Hunker to our team and announce the opening of our new office in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Prior to joining DMCA he spent his entire legal career representing the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He served as the Dallas Chief Counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, Dallas Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA). With his extensive knowledge and experience in immigration law, Paul is a valuable addition to our team. He has a wealth of experience in all ... Read more
DMCA has been recognized as a Tier 1 firm in Immigration Law by Best Law Firms® in its 2024 edition.
DMCA has been recognized as a Tier 1 firm in Immigration Law by Best Law Firms® in its 2024 edition. Our dedication to providing transparent, high-quality, and competent legal representation in the immigration field has helped us achieve this distinction. To qualify for this recognition, an attorney from the firm must be listed in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers®, which our managing partner Lance Curtright has accomplished. We are proud of this achievement and will continue to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. Estamos encantados de anunciar que DMCA ha sido reconocida como firma de Nivel 1 en ... Read more
DMCA Honored with Frank Herrera Jr. Business Leader Award at the Mexican American Bar Association San Antonio (MABA-SA) Award Gala
DMCA proudly received the Frank Herrera Jr. Business Leader Award. The firm was selected for this distinguished honor due to its remarkable track record in the immigration legal industry, as well as its unwavering commitment to supporting and giving back to the San Antonio community. As a leading authority in the immigration industry, DMCA sets the standard for immigration law. DMCA continues to provide top-notch legal services to individuals and businesses alike. Our dedication to our clients has earned us a reputation as one of the most reliable immigration law firms in the region. Additionally, DMCA has been instrumental in ... Read more
DMCA Managing Partner, Lance Curtright Recognized As A Best Lawyer In America For Immigration Law
DMCA is proud to announce that, “Best Lawyers” has selected managing partner Lance Curtright for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© for his high caliber in Immigration Law. Lance Curtright’s inclusion is a testament to his dedication and expertise in Immigration Law. As managing partner of DMCA, he has led our team to provide exceptional immigration legal services to our clients. His recognition by Best Lawyers for eight consecutive years is a remarkable achievement and a true reflection of his commitment to excellence. This accolade is not only a personal achievement but also a recognition ... Read more
DMCA files a lawsuit in the Western District of Texas court against USCIS, on behalf of clients for over-delayed processing of the I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, August 21, 2023 — DMCA has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) in the Western District of Texas court. The lawsuit is filed on behalf of several DMCA clients who are awaiting a decision on their I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver. The suit aims to hold USCIS accountable for the growing delays in processing unlawful presence waivers, which are essential to becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident. This issue is not only affecting our clients but also the lives of other immigrants. The extended waiting period for the processing of provisional unlawful ... Read more
Five DMCA Attorneys recognized in the “Top Attorneys 2023” list by San Antonio Magazine
Congratulations to Lance Curtright, Marisol Pérez, Monica Saenz, Claudia Hernandez, and Amy Thomas for being recognized in the “Top Attorneys 2023” list by San Antonio Magazine in the field of Immigration. It is a great honor to be recognized by peers in the legal profession, and this recognition speaks to the outstanding work and dedication that our attorneys have put into their practice. Their recognition in this list is a testament to their commitment to providing high-quality legal services to DMCA clients and making a positive impact in the San Antonio community. We applaud them for their achievements and wish ... Read more