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

Former ICE Attorney [Paul Hunker] Trump’s border orders are dangerous and illegal

DMCA Partner, Attorney Paul Hunker, shared some thoughts in the The Dallas Morning News about President Trump’s Executive Orders. Here’s an excerpt: “I remember after O.J. Simpson was acquitted, David Letterman featured his “Top 10 law school classes that the O.J. prosecutors didn’t take,” such as “How to Convict Someone Who is 100% Guilty!” Reviewing the executive order purporting to end Birthright Citizenship,  I thought “How to Write an Executive Order that is 100% Likely to Be Struck Down!” Read full article: The Dallas Morning News

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

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

LA LACÓNICA DECISIÓN DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DEJA EN EL LIMBO A UNA COMUNIDAD DE INMIGRANTES

“La sentencia es afirmada por una Corte dividida por igual. Hoy, El Tribunal Supremo de Los Estados Unidos emiti una decisión decepcionante sosteniendo la orden judicial en todo el país contra la acción diferida del gobierno de Obama para el programa de Responsabilidades de los padres (DAPA). DAPA, que fue creado por una orden ejecutiva emitida por el Presidente Obama el 20 de noviembre de 2014, la cual proporcionaría beneficios de inmigración a aproximadamente cinco millones de inmigrantes indocumentados que tienen hijos ciudadanos o residentes permanentes de los Estados Unidos, que han vivido en los Estados Unidos desde al menos ... Read more

UPDATE ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S EXECUTIVE ACTIONS

On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced that he would soon be implementing a series of executive actions affecting millions of undocumented immigrants residing in the United States. Most notably, President Obama announced a new program called Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA), which would provide immigration relief to undocumented immigrants who have a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident son or daughter, have resided continuously in the United States since January 1, 2010, and do not have any disqualifying criminal convictions or other adverse history. DAPA recipients would be provided with work permits for a period of three years. ... Read more