The Human Cost of Deportation: How New Texas Enforcement Policies Are Separating Families

A Changing Landscape: Texas' Tougher Immigration Enforcement

In 2024 and moving into 2025, Texas has doubled down on immigration enforcement through state-level legislation and cooperation with federal authorities. Under Operation Lone Star, law enforcement agencies in border regions—and even major metropolitan areas like Houston and Dallas—have increased detentions, raids, and referrals to ICE.

What’s deeply troubling is that these intensified measures are not just affecting individuals who pose a risk to public safety. Instead, they're often targeting long-time Texas residents, many of whom are tax-paying, employed, and raising U.S. citizen children.

🔗 More on Operation Lone Star

Real People, Real Families — Torn Apart by Policy

One Houston client we represented—a 42-year-old father of three who entered the country without inspection 18 years ago—was arrested for a traffic violation. Despite having no criminal record, no ongoing immigration case, and a history of paying taxes, he was placed in ICE detention and issued a Notice to Appear. His U.S. citizen children now face growing up without their primary caregiver.

These stories are no longer rare. They are becoming commonplace in Texas, especially with local authorities increasingly aligned with federal enforcement priorities. The result? Families shattered, businesses disrupted, and communities destabilized.

📌 Texas Tribune: Immigration Arrests Separate Parents from U.S.-Born Children

Burdened by separation

Legal Pushback: Fighting for Family Unity in Texas Immigration Courts

While these policies may feel overwhelming, families do have legal options, and an experienced immigration lawyer can make a critical difference. When facing detention or deportation proceedings, here are legal avenues we can explore:

1. Cancellation of Removal for Nonpermanent Residents

If your loved one has been in the U.S. for over 10 years, has good moral character, and can demonstrate that removal would cause "exceptional and extremely unusual hardship" to a U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child, we can petition the court to cancel the removal and allow them to remain in the country.

🔗 USCIS: Cancellation of Removal

2. Adjustment of Status Through a U.S. Citizen Relative

If the individual is eligible for an immigrant visa through a U.S. citizen spouse or child over 21, we can explore adjustment of status options—even while facing removal proceedings.

3. Prosecutorial Discretion and Motions to Reopen

In some cases, ICE or DHS may agree to administratively close or dismiss proceedings, especially for low-priority cases. A Motion to Reopen can also be filed if new facts arise or legal errors were made in the original case.

🔗 AILA: Prosecutorial Discretion Toolkit

Understanding SB4 and State-Level Deportation Authority

Texas recently passed Senate Bill 4, which allows state officers to arrest individuals suspected of unlawful entry—even if they’ve lived here for years. This law has raised major constitutional concerns and is currently the subject of legal challenges.

As lawyers, we believe that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and laws like SB4 open the door to racial profiling, unlawful arrests, and mass deportations.

🔗 NPR: What Texas' SB4 Law Means for Immigrants

Our Commitment: Advocating for the Dignity and Rights of Immigrants

We’ve seen firsthand the destruction caused by policies that don’t consider the humanity of those affected. Families are being separated, children traumatized, and entire communities thrown into fear.

But we’ve also seen what can happen when people fight back. With timely legal intervention, many immigrants in Texas have successfully challenged their deportation, reunited with their families, and even secured a pathway to permanent residency.

If your loved one has been detained or is facing deportation in Texas, you are not alone. You have rights, and our legal team is ready to defend them.

📞 Contact us today for a confidential consultation and let’s start building your defense.