Pope Leo XIV’s American citizenship: Can he keep it as pope?

Immigration Attorney Paul Hunker was recently featured in an article by Catholic News Agency exploring the question: Can Pope Leo XIV keep his American citizenship as Pope? From the article: “I think unless he comes forward and says, ‘I have the intention of relinquishing my U.S. nationality,’ then he is not considered to have lost his U.S. citizenship,” Hunker said.  “At a deep level, I think it says something great about our country: When you’re born here, the government can’t kick you out — unless you affirmatively say that you’re renouncing your citizenship.”  With years of experience in immigration law, ... Read more

Immigration courts overwhelmed, asylum seekers left in limbo: DMCA Partner Paul Hunker Talks to CBS News

Immigration Attorney Paul Hunker, former Chief Counsel for ICE in Dallas and current partner at DMCA, LLP, talks to CBS News about the issue of overwhelmed immigration courts. With over two decades of experience, Paul offers unparalleled insights into: ✔️ Federal litigation✔️ Asylum✔️ Removal defense✔️ ICE audits Now serving clients in San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston. Contact DMCA at 1-866-690-1844 or visit online bookings to schedule a consultation.

DMCA’s Managing Partner Lance Curtright Addresses Questions Surrounding Trump’s $1,000 Self-Deportation Incentive

Recent headlines have highlighted a new immigration proposal introduced by the Trump Administration: a $1,000 incentive for undocumented immigrants who voluntarily self-deport. This idea has raised a number of questions—many of which were addressed in a recent news segment featuring DMCA’s managing partner, Lance Curtright, based in San Antonio. In an interview with KSAT 12 News, Attorney Curtright provided insight of this proposal and what it could mean for immigrant communities. What You Should Know Attorney Curtright emphasized the importance of seeking trustworthy legal advice: “Don’t take advantage of this until you talk to a lawyer. Make sure you know ... Read more

Newly Imposed Registration Requirements for Noncitizens

As of April 11, 2025, the Trump administration is requiring that some noncitizens must register their presence in the United States. There are criminal and civil penalties for those who willfully fail or refuse to register. The information below identifies who must register, who is not required to register, and how registration is accomplished.    Who is NOT required to register?       If you fall under one or more of the following categories, you do not need to register under the new guidelines because you have previously registered. However, you must carry evidence that proves your prior registration.     Noncitizens ... Read more

F-1 Students whose SEVIS was terminated and VISA revoked

F-1 Students Be Aware! International students in the U.S. are facing unprecedented challenges with sudden termination of their SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records, managed by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), via the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). And in many cases, these students also received notice of their F-1 visa revocation by the Department of State (DOS). The students targeted appear to have engaged in political activism or had past misdemeanors and minor charges that were dismissed. Last month Secretary Rubio reported that DOS revoked more than 300 student visas and announced a new program that uses ... Read more

Worksite Enforcement: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Under the current administration, we are witnessing a stronger focus on immigration law enforcement in workplaces. Here’s what you need to know : What’s Changing? 1.      Increased Inspections: Expect more visits from ICE agents to review I-9 forms and workplace compliance, particularly in industries relying heavily on immigrant labor – such as construction sites, restaurants, and hotels. 2.      Higher Penalties: Employers could face steep fines or legal consequences for hiring unauthorized workers or making I-9 errors. 3.      E-Verify Push: There might be an expanded emphasis on using E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. How to Prepare 1.      Audit Your Records: Review I-9 forms now. Correct ... Read more

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

DMCA Dallas Based Immigration Attorney Paul Hunker shares his thoughts with CBS Channel 11 Dallas about upcoming ICE immigration enforcement actions.

DMCA Partner, Paul Hunker, based of out DMCA’s Dallas, Texas office, shares his thoughts with CBS Channel 11 Dallas about upcoming ICE immigration enforcement actions. As the former Dallas ICE Chief Counsel, Hunker provides an expert perspective. His expertise serves as a crucial resource for the immigrant community now more than ever. Attorney Hunker is prepared to defend and safeguard your interests.    

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

PRESS RELEASE San Antonio, TX October 4, 2019 – The Federal Government of Mexico, through the Secretary of Foreign Relations submitted an amicus brief on October 3, 2019 with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Department of Homeland Security et. al vs. Regents of the University of California, et. al. The case scheduled for oral argument before the Supreme Court on November 12, 2019, will review the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and whether the government’s decision to end DACA is reviewable by the court and if so, whether the decision to end DACA ... Read more

New EB-5 Regulations Will Go Into Effect on November 21, 2019 – What You Need to Know Now!

This past week the Department of Homeland Security published the anticipated and impactful new EB-5 regulations (EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization; https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-07-24/pdf/2019-15000.pdf). Some of the most significant changes to the program include: Minimum Investment Amounts. The minimum investment amounts will increase on November 21, 2019. For investments that are in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs; rural areas outside of a Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of 20,000 or more; or an area with an unemployment rate of 150% of the national average), the amount increases from $500,000 to $900,000. For those outside TEAs, it goes from $1,000,000 to $1,800,000. These ... Read more