Today we’d like to introduce you to Gil Manzano Jr.
Hi Gil, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am an immigration attorney with nearly two decades of legal experience. I have been licensed to practice law since 2006 and have focused on immigration law since 2009. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with law firms handling a wide range of practice areas, including personal injury, criminal law, family law, and general civil litigation. While this diverse background has shaped me as an attorney, immigration law has proven to be the most challenging—and the most rewarding—area of my practice.
Today, I own and operate my own law practice, where I concentrate on deportation defense and family-based immigration matters. Given the current legal and political climate, deportation defense represents the most demanding and urgent aspect of my work, accounting for approximately 45% of my practice. When a loved one is detained following an arrest, I am often called upon to step in and defend them in immigration court. Although my office is based in North Texas, I represent clients throughout the United States, including as far away as Hawaii.
My journey into immigration law began unexpectedly in 2009. An individual walked into the firm where I was working, seeking the help of an immigration attorney. When she was informed that the firm did not handle immigration matters, the look of disappointment on her face stayed with me. That moment sparked a genuine curiosity and ultimately led me to immerse myself in this complex area of law.
In my experience, immigration law is the most difficult field to practice—but it is also the most personally fulfilling. Helping individuals and families navigate a system that so deeply impacts their lives has become the defining purpose of my legal career.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In my opinion, the practice of immigration law is one of the most difficult areas of law for practitioners. Immigration policies and laws used to determine an individual’s eligibility for lawful status in the United States can change rapidly—sometimes on a daily basis. Temporary protected statuses for individuals from numerous countries are being abruptly terminated with little to no warning, placing countless people in legal limbo.
With the Trump Administration invoking mass deportations of individuals without legal status, enforcement efforts have increasingly relied on tactics that often infringe upon constitutional rights. It may come as a surprise to many that individuals without legal status in the United States are still afforded the same constitutional rights and responsibilities as U.S. citizens. We have witnessed numerous examples of this principle being violated.
For instance, racial profiling of motorists by local law enforcement remains a pervasive issue. Officers may stop individuals based on their perceived ethnicity under the assumption that they lack legal status in the United States. Such conduct constitutes a violation of the Fourth Amendment, as it lacks probable cause. Frequently, these stops result in the driver presenting a state-issued driver’s license. In Texas, as in many other states, driver’s licenses are generally issued only to individuals who possess permanent or temporary lawful status.
More recently, reports have emerged of government agents forcibly entering private residences without a warrant or other lawful justification. This trend is deeply concerning—not only for undocumented immigrants, but for U.S. citizens as well. While these violations may currently be directed toward noncitizens, the erosion of constitutional safeguards threatens to expand beyond that population, particularly as adherence to lawful procedures continues to deteriorate.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our law firm handles a wide range of immigration matters. We assist clients with family-based petitions, which are filed to obtain lawful permanent residence (green cards) and, when eligible, U.S. naturalization. We also represent individuals seeking Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States and Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA).
A significant portion of our practice is dedicated to deportation defense. We represent individuals in immigration court during removal proceedings. As defense counsel, we guide clients through every stage of the legal process and carefully assess all potential legal remedies available under immigration law.
Our firm is known for providing personalized, hands-on legal service. Every client speaks directly with a licensed immigration attorney about their case. As a small boutique law firm with only four attorneys, we offer a level of personal attention that larger firms often cannot—while still providing the same comprehensive legal services with the support of our experienced legal staff. Most of our clients are referred by former clients, which we believe reflects both the personal care we provide and the successful outcomes we strive to achieve.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
We have been fortunate to work with highly respected criminal defense attorneys throughout the country. In criminal court, defendants must be advised of their rights, including the potential consequences of pleading guilty to a criminal charge as it relates to their immigration status. As a result, criminal defense attorneys frequently contact our office to assist in advising their clients about any potential negative immigration consequences. We work in close partnership with these attorneys and have built a strong reputation for being forthright and honest with their clients. Based on these relationships, we have developed connections with these attorneys who regularly refer clients to our firm.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mislegal.com
- Instagram: gmanzanojr
- Facebook: Gil Manzano, Jr Immigration Attorney
