Our Immigration Services
Our Areas of Practice.
Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers
For many individuals seeking a Green Card through a family member, the biggest obstacle is not proving the family relationship—it is overcoming statutory grounds of inadmissibility.
Notice of Appeal or Motion
We help undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens request a waiver before leaving the country for consular processing.
Humanitarian Relief
We help victims of certain crimes who have assisted law enforcement obtain legal status and protection from deportation.
Employment Authorization
We navigate the complex H-1B lottery and application process for highly skilled professionals and their employers.
Deportation & Removal Defense
We act quickly to represent detained individuals, fighting for their release on bond so they can return to their families.
Family-Based Immigration & Green Card
We help individuals already in the U.S. apply for lawful permanent residency without having to leave the country.
U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization
We help individuals who derived or acquired U.S. citizenship through their parents obtain their official certificate.
Ready to secure your future?
512.454.7700
About Us
Your immigration journey starts with Ponce Law Firm
Specialized Immigration Expertise
From family-based visas and green cards to complex deportation defense, our team brings in-depth knowledge of USCIS procedures and immigration law to every unique case.
Path to Citizenship & Beyond
We guide you through every step of the naturalization process. Our multilingual team provides the personalized attention you need to navigate interviews and paperwork with confidence.
Office Hours
The people behind ponce law firm
Experts in your corner.
Frequently Ask Questions
Quick answers to your legal questions
Experience
Your Legal Questions
Can I sponsor my spouse for a Green Card if they entered the U.S. without a visa?
Can I sponsor my spouse for a Green Card if they entered the U.S. without a visa?
If your spouse entered the U.S. without inspection, they are generally barred from adjusting status inside the U.S. unless they qualify under INA § 245(i) or another exemption. However, many spouses can obtain a Green Card by applying for a Form I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver while inside the U.S., and then completing Consular Processing abroad. We analyze your spouse’s entry history to determine the safest legal path.
Does a child need both parents’ consent to apply for SIJ Status in Texas?
Does a child need both parents’ consent to apply for SIJ Status in Texas?
An SIJ claim does not require the consent of the abusive, neglectful, or absent parent, and it can be established if the child was harmed or abandoned by at least one parent. However, the process is multi-step and subject to strict legal eligibility rules:
Marital Status: The youth must remain unmarried both when filing and throughout the adjudication of the petition.
State Court Predicate Order: Before applying with USCIS, the child must first obtain a formal custody, dependency, or SAPCR order from a Texas state court declaring that parental reunification is not viable due to abuse, abandonment, neglect, or similar grounds under state law, and that returning to their home country is not in their best interest.
Age Requirements: While federal immigration law allows petitions to USCIS up until age 21, Texas family courts generally lose jurisdiction once the youth turns 18. Therefore, state court proceedings must typically be completed before the child’s 18th birthday.
Can I legally work while my EAD renewal application is pending?
Can I legally work while my EAD renewal application is pending?
If you file your Form I-765 renewal before your current card expires and belong to an eligible category (such as pending Adjustment of Status, pending Asylum, or TPS), you may qualify for an automatic extension of your work authorization. Presenting your official USCIS receipt notice (Form I-797C) alongside your expired EAD allows your employer to complete Form I-9 reverification lawfully.
What is the difference between Master Calendar and Individual Merits Hearings?
What is the difference between Master Calendar and Individual Merits Hearings?
A Master Calendar Hearing is a short procedural hearing where the judge manages calendar scheduling, accepts legal pleadings, and sets deadlines. An Individual Merits Hearing is your actual trial. It is dedicated entirely to your case, lasting several hours, where you present live testimony, call witnesses, submit documentary evidence, and argue your defense against deportation.
Why choose us
Choosing Ponce Law means choosing confidence
Experienced Professionals
From family-based visas and green cards to complex deportation defense, our team brings in-depth knowledge of USCIS procedures and immigration law to every unique case.
Proven Track Record
From family-based visas and green cards to complex deportation defense, our team brings in-depth knowledge of USCIS procedures and immigration law to every unique case.
Client-Centered Approach
From family-based visas and green cards to complex deportation defense, our team brings in-depth knowledge of USCIS procedures and immigration law to every unique case.
Ethical & Trustworthy
From family-based visas and green cards to complex deportation defense, our team brings in-depth knowledge of USCIS procedures and immigration law to every unique case.
Transparent Communication
From family-based visas and green cards to complex deportation defense, our team brings in-depth knowledge of USCIS procedures and immigration law to every unique case.
Responsive Support
From family-based visas and green cards to complex deportation defense, our team brings in-depth knowledge of USCIS procedures and immigration law to every unique case.
Client-Centered Advocate
Attorney Ponce prioritizes client needs with a core focus on keeping families together. She leads a diligent team that maintains a supportive, client-focused environment throughout the legal process.
Meticulous Legal Approach
Known for tackling complex immigration matters, she builds strong cases by thoroughly researching legal arguments and providing comprehensive supporting exhibits at every stage to maximize the chances of success.
Extensive Experience
Began her immigration law career in 2000; she has helped thousands of clients. Her achievements include securing releases from detention, winning complex asylum cases, and litigating appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Solid Educational Foundation
Raised in South Texas, Attorney Ponce holds a degree in Social Work from UT Austin and earned her Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2003.