DMCA’s Paul Hunker Featured in The Washington Post Article: ‘ICE Declares Millions of Undocumented Immigrants Ineligible for Bond Hearings
At DMCA (De Mott, Curtright & Armendáriz), we remain committed to standing up for justice, due process, and the rights of immigrants who call this country home. A recent article from The Washington Post outlines a concerning development: a new directive issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that would strip millions of immigrants of their right to a bond hearing as they navigate deportation proceedings. DMCA Partner Paul Hunker, and former Dallas ICE Chief Counsel, offered critical legal insight in the article. “I think some courts are going to find that this doesn’t give noncitizens sufficient due process,” said ... Read more
DMCA Recognized by Chambers and Partners for Excellence in Immigration Law
We are proud to share that De Mott, Curtright & Armendáriz, LLP (DMCA) has been recognized in the 2025 Chambers USA Guide for excellence in Immigration Law. This prestigious honor is awarded based on independent research and direct client feedback, and highlights law firms that consistently demonstrate outstanding legal expertise and an unwavering commitment to client service. At DMCA, we take this recognition as a testament to the dedication and passion our attorneys and staff bring to each case. Whether helping a family reunite, guiding an employer through complex visa processes, or defending individuals facing removal, we remain committed to ... Read more
Celebrating a Major Milestone: Alejandra Martinez Named Partner at DMCA
Celebrating a Major Milestone: Alejandra Martinez Named Partner at DMCA We are proud to announce that Alejandra Martinez has been named Partner at DMCA – De Mott, Curtright and Armendáriz, LLP. Alejandra’s journey with the firm began in 2017, when she joined DMCA as a law clerk while studying at St. Mary’s University School of Law. From day one, her passion for immigration law and advocacy for immigrant families stood out. Over the years, she has grown into a trusted and respected leader in the field. Today, Alejandra leads our Austin-based Family Immigration and Consular Processing sections, where she manages ... Read more
A Long-Awaited Triumph: Carlos Zurita’s Green Card Journey Ends in Success
We are thrilled to share the incredible news – Carlos Zurita has officially received his visa approval and will soon reunite with his family in the U.S. Carlos’s journey, featured in Newsweek and KSAT, highlights the challenges immigrants face when navigating the legal immigration system. After traveling to Mexico for his green card interview, Carlos was stuck there for 30 days due to an administrative issue. His wife Kendall bravely shared their struggle and the emotional toll of their separation Thanks to persistent legal advocacy and the support of Congressman Greg Casar’s office, on Saturday, his visa was approved. As ... Read more
Exabogado de ICE, ahora abogado de inmigración, Paul Hunker, habla sobre la detención de migrantes en las cortes con Telemundo 60
En una reciente participación en un segmento con Telemundo 60, el abogado Paul Hunker — quien anteriormente sirvió como abogado principal del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE)— ofreció un análisis crucial sobre la práctica de detener migrantes durante sus audiencias en las cortes de inmigración. Ver Segmento Completo: Hoy en día, como parte del equipo de abogados de inmigración en DMCA – De Mott, Curtright & Armendariz, LLP, el Sr. Hunker comparte su experiencia desde “el otro lado” para proteger los derechos de las personas en procesos migratorios. Su conocimiento profundo sobre cómo operan las agencias gubernamentales ... Read more
ICE Presence at San Antonio Immigration Court: What You Need to Know
Yesterday, ICE officers were present at the San Antonio immigration court and detained some immigrants who appeared for their scheduled court hearings before an immigration judge. It is important to emphasize that ICE is targeting a specific group of noncitizens. The majority of individuals attending court hearings are not being arrested. At DMCA, we are closely monitoring these developments. If you are a client who falls within the group currently being targeted, we will contact you prior to your hearing to discuss your case strategy. If you are unsure whether this recent ICE policy may affect you, we encourage you ... Read more
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
We’re About to Find Out What Mass Deportation Really Looks Like
We are proud to share that DMCA partner, Paul Hunker, was recently featured in The Atlantic’s in-depth article on the evolving landscape of U.S. immigration enforcement. Drawing from his extensive experience as ICE’s former lead attorney in Dallas, Paul provides valuable insights into the potential impacts of proposed funding increases on ICE operations. In the article, Paul likens the anticipated changes to a gathering wave, stating, “It seems intense now, but wait until five months from now when the reconciliation bill has passed and ICE gets a huge infusion of cash. If that money goes out, the amount of people ... 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