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

DMCA Advocating for International Human Rights – Fighting for what is right

Advocating for International Human Rights Ruth Lozano McChesney, long time DMCA managing partner and now Of Counsel to DMCA, was nominated and was accepted as a member of the Action Committee of the State Bar of Texas’ International Law Section and a member of its International Human Rights Committee. Additionally, she has joined the national American Bar Association’s International Human Rights group. She is committed to the continued advocacy of both the immigrant community as well as pushing forth and making a difference in the International community – protecting and ensuring basic rights for vulnerable groups. This includes a commitment ... Read more

DREAMERS FEAR WORST, FIGHT FOR BEST–BY CARLOS AGUILAR

Dreamers fear worst, fight for best by Carlos Aguilar As the results from the 2016 U.S. presidential election a historically tense and formidable campaign were made official, an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty threatened to take over my life but it didn’t not again. As I laid in bed that morning, I couldn’t help but think of other Dreamers and undocumented students whose motivation and expectations for a better future may have been negatively impacted. We are faced with adversity. The continuation and expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is in limbo, and a just and ... Read more

PROVISIONAL WAIVER EXPANDED TO SPOUSES OF LPRS!

USCIS has launched a new program that would expand eligibility for provisional waivers (Form I-601A) based on inadmissibility because of unlawful presence. This waiver program allows foreign nationals to submit a waiver application while in the United States prior to leaving for your appointment at the Consulate abroad. This program is intended to minimize the time that the applicant will be outside the United States. Previously, the program was only available to family or relatives of US citizens. Today, the Government has announced that USCIS can accept waivers in country (if seeking a waiver for unlawful presence) for others as ... Read more