DAI Finds Unlikely Ally in Development of Legal Strategy for Immigrants in Detention

In response to changes in immigration law enforcement and the upsurge in ICE detentions and deportations, Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI) is developing a legal representation strategy for people in detention.

This initiative led them to work with Paul Hunker, a longtime Opus Dei Catholic who retired as lead counsel for U.S. ICE in Dallas to defend immigrants as a private practice attorney, and now serves as a member of the Dallas diocese's immigration task force. He has challenged the current administration's actions on immigration in spaces like the conservative Napa Institute's summer conference, where he co-led sessions on Catholic social doctrine and immigration.

DAI Senior Organizer Tim McManus said Hunker had been a "key ally," while organizations across the region have worked to understand the policies of the Trump administration, "like a recent policy preventing migrants from leaving detention on bond while challenging their deportation."

Hunker “ is just very clearheaded in his ability to project out what he thinks ICE counsel would argue,” McManus said. "Hunker’s judgement 'has been really helpful as we’ve developed a legal representation strategy for people in detention.'”

DAI will continue to advance their strategy of living out the values and teachings of their member institutions to welcome the stranger and take action to address the root causes of injustice towards immigrants. 

(In Photo: Paul Hunker presents "The Catholic Social Doctrine and Immigration" at the Napa Institute's 2024 Summer Conference. Credit: RNS)

Opus Dei Catholic Who Led Dallas ICE Lawyers Now Defends Immigrants. Religious News Service [pdf]