Category: Other
DMCA Secures Fifth Circuit Victory in Certificate of Citizenship Case
When USCIS wrongly denied our client’s application for a Certificate of Citizenship, the result was deeply unfair. Our client had every right to recognition as a U.S. citizen, yet the government’s denial stood in the way. We brought the case to federal court. Unfortunately, the district court dismissed it, ruling that the filing was “untimely.” But we didn’t stop there. Taking the Case to the Fifth Circuit Led by Attorney Lance Curtright and Attorney Alejandra Martinez our experienced Federal Litigation Team appealed the decision to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. After thorough briefing and argument, the Fifth Circuit overturned the ... Read more
Former ICE lawyer [Paul Hunker]: Trump immigration removals are pushing the envelope
We’re proud to feature the recent commentary by Paul Hunker, Partner at DMCA and former Dallas ICE Chief Counsel, published in The Dallas Morning News on August 7, 2025. In his op-ed, Paul examines significant shifts in U.S. immigration enforcement policies and the potential legal implications for immigrants, families, and communities. Key Topics Covered in Paul’s Commentary Drawing from his decades of experience in immigration law, Paul explores: Changes in immigration enforcement tactics – How certain removal procedures are being applied in ways that test existing legal boundaries. Increased use of expedited removal – The growing reliance on fast-track deportation ... Read more
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
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
Judge pauses Trump administration plans to end temporary legal protections for Venezuelans
El 31 de marzo de 2025, el Juez de Distrito de EE. UU. Chen en San Francisco bloqueó temporalmente el intento de la administración Trump de revocar el Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS) para los inmigrantes venezolanos. ¿Qué significa esto? Las protecciones del TPS siguen vigentes, por ahora. El tribunal revisará la legalidad de la cancelación. Mantenerse proactivo es crucial. En DMCA, seguimos de cerca estos cambios legales y estamos listos para ayudarle a comprender las implicaciones que esto tiene para su proceso migratorio. Si usted o un ser querido tiene Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS) o necesita aclaraciones ... Read more
DMCA Partner Paul Hunker featured on NBCDFW: Former ICE director says deporting 13 million ‘not going to happen’
Former Dallas ICE Chief Counsel, and current DMCA partner, immigration attorney Paul Hunker interviewed by NBC DFW. Retired ICE leaders tell NBC 5 Investigates the agency is not equipped to arrest, detain and deport the millions of people the Trump administration has pledged to remove From the article: The White House said ICE made about 8,000 arrests nationwide in the first two weeks of the administration. The largest single-day number of arrests was about 1,100. Even if ICE could sustain that peak number every day for four years, it would total a little more than 1.5 million arrests—far short of ... Read more
DMCA Partner Paul Hunker interviewed by CBS News Texas on what President Trump’s immigration-related executive orders do?
Former Dallas ICE Chief Counsel, and current DMCA partner, immigration attorney Paul Hunker provided insight into what President Trump’s immigration-related executive orders do. From the article: “These executive orders prioritize detention of noncitizens here illegally,” said immigration attorney Paul Hunker, who formerly served as Chief Counsel for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Dallas. “I think that’s worrisome for people. I think the purported largest deportation in history is scary for people as well.” According to Hunker, fulfilling the Trump campaign promise of mass deportations would require ICE to acquire significant additional detention space and send a lot more immigration officers on the streets to ... Read more