ARRESTED BY ICE IN HIS OWN HOUSE
Charges
ACCUSED WITH 3 DWI CHARGES AND IN DANGER OF BEING DEPORTED AFTER BEING A PERMANENT RESIDENT FOR 34 YEARS. - Unauthorized use of vehicle - False imprisonment - DWI (first) - DWI (second) - DWI (third)
Resolution
After being present in the United States for more than 34 years, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Houston, Texas arrested a Lawful Permanent Resident on January 2015 at his home at 6:45 AM, and initiated removal proceedings against him. He was charged with having committed an aggravated felony after his admission into the United States. The conviction in question took place in 1989. At the second Master Calendar Hearing, we denied the allegations and the charge of removability, and the case was terminated (dismissed), because the office of chief counsel was unable to meet their burden of proof and prove that our Client was removable as charged.
ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF 1,300 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA AND IN DANGER OF DEPORTATION
Charges
A Lawful Permanent Resident was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Harlingen, Texas and placed in removal proceedings. The Client had possession of marijuana charges (1,300 pounds) pending against him in Starr County, Texas. Our Client was charged with “reason to believe” drug trafficking and subject to inadmissibility. The office of the chief counsel served our client with two different charging documents.
Resolution
After fighting this case for several weeks, and showing the Office of Chief Counsel that they could not meet their burden of proof, the charges were withdrawn and the case dismissed. Our Client was released from custody and reunited with his family.
IMPRISONED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND IN DEPORTATION PROCESS
Charges
Our Client, a Lawful Permanent Resident, had been convicted of Assault (involving his spouse) three separate offenses, and once for Aggravated Assault (involving his spouse). He was placed in removal proceedings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the office of Chief Counsel argued that our Client was subject to mandatory detention and not eligible for Bond.
Resolution
Our office worked relentlessly on proving that our Client was Bond eligible and not subject to mandatory detention. At the initial Bond Hearing, the Immigration Judge agreed with us and granted our Client a reasonable bond in his case.
SALVADORAN RELEASED AFTER CHARGES FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE
Charges
THEY HAD PLACED IT IN CUSTODY OF IMMIGRATION TO BE DEPORTED. A 21-year-old Client from El Salvador was convicted of Assault Family Violence. After serving 14 days in Harris County Jail, Immigration and Customs Enforcement took custody of our Client and placed him in removal proceedings. Our office filed a Bond Hearing Request, and the Immigration Judge denied our Bond, ruling that our Client was a danger to the community because of his conviction.
Resolution
With little to work with, our office filed a subsequent Motion for a Custody Re-determination based on changed circumstances (Protective Order Expiring). The Immigration Judge agreed and ruled that we met our burden of proof and granted our client bond in his case. He is now with his wife and two little girls.
