Texas Immigration Lawyer Blog

ICE Raids -- What if they come to your house?

ICE Raids are reportedly beginning this week. Although Waco is not one of the cities that is said to be a target, these materials from AILA will help in preparing for and responding to ICE enforcement actions.

Houston is the only Texas city that is listed as a target for raids. An excellent resource there is The Houston Immigrant Rights Hotline 1-833-468-4664 (1-833-HOU-IMMI),
Monday-Friday/lunes-viernes, 9am-5pm (English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Hindi,
Russian, Vietnamese, Korean)

If ICE visits your HOME: 

• Don't open the door unless they have a valid search warrant signed by a Judge (not an ICE or DHS official).
  • If the officers say they have a search warrant, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so that you can see it.
  • If the warrant does not have your correct name and address you do not have to open the door or let them inside.
  • If you decide to speak with the officers, speak to them through the door or step outside and close the door. 
  • Once the officers enter your house, they will want to speak to everyone, even those not listed on the search warrant. 
• You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak with the immigration officers or answer any questions.
  • Tell the officers that you choose to remain silent.
  • You may refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from.
  • DO NOT SHOW ANY FALSE DOCUMENTS.
  • DO NOT LIE.
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer. If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to immediately contact a lawyer. 
  • Tell the officers that you want to talk with a lawyer before speaking with them.
  • If you have a lawyer and a signed G-28 (proof that you have a lawyer), give it to the officer.
  • If you do not have a lawyer, ask an immigration officer for a list of pro bono (no cost or low cost) lawyers.
  • Refuse to sign anything without speaking with a lawyer.
  • IF YOU DO SIGN, make sure you understand exactly what the document says and means before you sign it. 
• You have the right to contact your consulate. The consulate may be able to assist you in locating a lawyer.

ICE Raids are expected: Resources and Reminders

ICE Raids are reportedly beginning this weekend. Although Waco is not one of the cities that is said to be a target, these materials from AILA will help in preparing for and responding to ICE enforcement actions.

Houston is the only Texas city that is listed as a target for raids. An excellent resource there is The Houston Immigrant Rights Hotline 1-833-468-4664 (1-833-HOU-IMMI),
Monday-Friday/lunes-viernes, 9am-5pm (English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Hindi,
Russian, Vietnamese, Korean)

If ICE visits your HOME: 

• Don't open the door unless they have a valid search warrant signed by a Judge (not an ICE or DHS official).
  • If the officers say they have a search warrant, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so that you can see it.
  • If the warrant does not have your correct name and address you do not have to open the door or let them inside.
  • If you decide to speak with the officers, speak to them through the door or step outside and close the door. 
  • Once the officers enter your house, they will want to speak to everyone, even those not listed on the search warrant. 
• You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak with the immigration officers or answer any questions.
  • Tell the officers that you choose to remain silent.
  • You may refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from.
  • DO NOT SHOW ANY FALSE DOCUMENTS.
  • DO NOT LIE.
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer. If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to immediately contact a lawyer. 
  • Tell the officers that you want to talk with a lawyer before speaking with them.
  • If you have a lawyer and a signed G-28 (proof that you have a lawyer), give it to the officer.
  • If you do not have a lawyer, ask an immigration officer for a list of pro bono (no cost or low cost) lawyers.
  • You can refuse to sign anything without speaking with a lawyer.
  • IF YOU DO SIGN, make sure you understand exactly what the document says and means before you sign it. 
• You have the right to contact your consulate. The consulate may be able to assist you in locating a lawyer.

ICE Raids are expected: Resources and Reminders - What if they come to your house?

ICE Raids are reportedly beginning this weekend. Although Waco is not one of the cities that is said to be a target, these materials from AILA will help in preparing for and responding to ICE enforcement actions.

Houston is the only Texas city that is listed as a target for raids. An excellent resource there is The Houston Immigrant Rights Hotline 1-833-468-4664 (1-833-HOU-IMMI),
Monday-Friday/lunes-viernes, 9am-5pm (English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Hindi,
Russian, Vietnamese, Korean)

If ICE visits your HOME: 

• Don't open the door unless they have a valid search warrant signed by a Judge (not an ICE or DHS official).
  • If the officers say they have a search warrant, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so that you can see it.
  • If the warrant does not have your correct name and address you do not have to open the door or let them inside.
  • If you decide to speak with the officers, speak to them through the door or step outside and close the door. 
  • Once the officers enter your house, they will want to speak to everyone, even those not listed on the search warrant. 
• You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak with the immigration officers or answer any questions.
  • Tell the officers that you choose to remain silent.
  • You may refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from.
  • DO NOT SHOW ANY FALSE DOCUMENTS.
  • DO NOT LIE.
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer. If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to immediately contact a lawyer. 
  • Tell the officers that you want to talk with a lawyer before speaking with them.
  • If you have a lawyer and a signed G-28 (proof that you have a lawyer), give it to the officer.
  • If you do not have a lawyer, ask an immigration officer for a list of pro bono (no cost or low cost) lawyers.
  • You can refuse to sign anything without speaking with a lawyer.
  • IF YOU DO SIGN, make sure you understand exactly what the document says and means before you sign it. 
• You have the right to contact your consulate. The consulate may be able to assist you in locating a lawyer.

Texas Misdemeanor Assault Family Violence Now a Deportable Offense

In April, the 5th Circuit held that Tex. Penal Code §22.01(a)(1) is a crime of violence and thus a crime of domestic violence if a “protected person,” such as a spouse is the victim. U.S. v. Gracia-Cantu, 920 F.3d 252, 254 (5th Cir. 2019) (citing, U.S. v. Reyes-Contreras, 910 F.3d 169, 183 (5th Cir. 2018)).

These cases reverse Fifth Circuit cases holding that Texas misdemeanor assault (§22.01(a)(1)) is not a crime of violence because it does not require direct force or intent to support a conviction. U.S. v. Villegas-Hernandez, 468 F.d 874, 880 (5th Cir. 2006).

A conviction for Texas Misdemeanor Assault Family Violence is now a deportable offense.

This effects both  Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are deportable and non-LPRs in removal proceedings who are ineligible for relief from removal.