(RNS) — When Paul Hunker approached Dallas Bishop Edward Burns to introduce himself on the bishop’s 2017 set up Mass, he did so nearly “sheepishly.” Hunker, then the lead counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Dallas, frightened Burns would possibly give him “a tough time.”
Only a few weeks after President Donald Trump took workplace and instituted a journey ban on a number of predominantly Muslim nations, the set up Mass got here at one of many few instances in 31 years of working for the company that he felt “ashamed to be working for ICE,” Hunker, a longtime member of the Catholic group Opus Dei, informed RNS.
Hunker retired from ICE in early 2024 and shortly after joined a personal immigration legislation observe. Now, because the second Trump administration doubles down on a strict immigration coverage, Hunker has typically discovered himself on the opposing facet of his former employer. He has criticized Trump’s assault on birthright citizenship and raised considerations that Mahmoud Khalil’s detention infringed on First Modification rights. He has appeared on conservative-leaning Catholic tv community EWTN and on CBS Texas to share his views and clarify immigration coverage.
He usually doesn’t speak about his membership in Opus Dei, seeing public bulletins about it as at odds together with his lay identification, however on an EWTN look, Hunker mentioned Catholic instructing on the significance of household ties had influenced his work at ICE, as he used prosecutorial discretion to keep away from deporting the relations of U.S. residents.
Hunker joined Opus Dei, Latin for “the work of God,” in 1988 as a scholar at Marquette College, a Jesuit establishment. He devoted his life to the primarily lay Catholic group, discovering resonance in its emphasis on attaining holiness by atypical work achieved properly and within the teachings of the founder, St. Josemaría Escrivá, about “residing one’s religion on this planet.” Earlier than that, he mentioned, his relationship to Catholicism had been mental, however in Opus Dei he discovered to observe the religion “properly.”
“ We’re making an attempt to serve and love different folks and do my work properly and do it as an providing,” Hunker mentioned.
Opus Dei is well-known for its connections to extremely positioned prelates and conservative politicians and not too long ago notorious for allegations of human trafficking. It has additionally been accused of propping up Spanish dictator Francisco Franco and influencing President Donald Trump’s insurance policies by assist for Venture 2025.
However Hunker has pushed again towards Trump on immigration, together with in areas just like the Napa Institute’s summer time convention final 12 months, which has traditionally promoted a combative Catholic conservatism and whose founder, Tim Busch, considers himself a “cooperator” of Opus Dei.
Hunker co-led the session on Catholic social doctrine and immigration with Burns, who at his set up in 2017 informed Hunker he supported his work at ICE.
Hunker’s message for that viewers was peppered with citations of the Catholic catechism, Pope Francis and church paperwork. “The duty of a affluent nation to welcome foreigners is an instance of the common vacation spot of products. Simply as a rich particular person in justice ought to share his items with the needy, a affluent nation ought to welcome these in want,” he informed Napa attendees.
Paul Hunker presents “The Catholic Social Doctrine and Immigration” on the Napa Institute’s 2024 Summer season Convention. Video Screengrab
Hunker informed Napa attendees a few 21-year-old Vietnamese lawful everlasting resident who had gotten in some authorized hassle and ended up in immigration detention. The younger man’s lawyer had already requested Hunker to dismiss the case, however when Hunker occurred to run into the younger man whereas facilitating Burns’ go to to the detention heart, he felt “there aren’t any coincidences,” citing St. John Paul II, and dismissed the case.
To Cecilia González-Andrieu, president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the USA, Hunker’s public appearances appear like a conversion arc. “ It’s a narrative about how transformative the theology of encounter will be,” she mentioned, referencing a theological precept about forming relationships.
“ I’d by no means have needed anybody to be a part of the ICE system, however since he was, okay, so now he has the chance to actually make reparations,” mentioned González-Andrieu, a theology professor at Loyola Marymount College.
However conversion isn’t how Hunker tells it. He doesn’t disavow his time with ICE — as a substitute framing his transfer into personal observe as a brand new problem that made sense as a result of he was eligible for retirement.
Hunker can also be fast to criticize the Biden administration, telling RNS the earlier administration’s 100-day moratorium on deportations was “loopy” and “imprudent.” He additionally mentioned Biden’s growth of parole packages, which gave momentary permission and work permits to new arrivals from sure nations, performed into the resentment that helped re-elect Trump, as even different immigrants felt new arrivals had been getting particular privileges.
Hunker says he “has nice affection for the brokers,” saying ICE workers in Dallas labored to reunify households and that, after they aren’t constrained by the form of rigid pointers presently in place, “we go after the dangerous guys.”
“The brokers I do know, they respect folks’s rights. They’re making an attempt to comply with the legislation,” he mentioned, including, “ clearly if some ICE agent misbehaves or violates somebody’s rights, they need to be topic to self-discipline.”
Paul Hunker. Photograph courtesy DMCA Immigration and Nationality Regulation
Polling reveals assist for ICE has plummeted as movies of violent detentions and masked brokers go viral. Nearly 4 in 10 (38%) registered voters assist abolishing the company, in response to a current Civiqs ballot.
Different Catholic immigration advocates additionally voice skepticism of the company. Don Kerwin, vice chairman of advocacy, analysis and partnerships for Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, mentioned ICE is “pushing the rule of legislation at this level.”
González-Andrieu mentioned ICE, in tearing households aside, is an instance of the banality of evil, which isn’t excused by merely following orders. “ We are able to’t say that, properly, they’re good guys, however they’re doing evil issues,” she mentioned. “ What we’re taught is it’s a must to cease doing evil issues and it’s a must to be contrite about doing evil issues.”
Nonetheless, each advocates mentioned Hunker’s background places him ready to speak and serve in a method they can’t.
Hunker is now on the Dallas diocese’s immigration activity pressure as he and Burns work to reassure skittish immigrant Catholics that it’s protected to go to Mass.
“ The Trump administration is way more aggressive, however there will be undue concern on the market,” Hunker informed RNS. “There’s some danger, however perhaps it’s extra probably you’ll be struck by lightning than be arrested by ICE driving to church.”
The legal professional is making an attempt to assist Catholics have much less concern and make “extra rational choices,” like taking public transit as a substitute of driving with no license, which might result in an arrest after which ICE detention.
Kerwin doesn’t share Hunker’s evaluation of irrational concern.
“ I believe that the folks which might be making these choices are in the perfect place to know what the danger is,” mentioned Kerwin. He mentioned that, whereas danger can sometimes be “exaggerated,” the current large enhance in ICE funding within the newest price range factors to many extra immigrants with out felony information being swept up in detention or deportation.
Hunker informed RNS he was additionally involved concerning the price range enhance, explaining he frightened the funding is “going to result in lots of people who aren’t criminals or risks to society being arrested by ICE.”
Tim McManus, a senior organizer at Dallas Space Interfaith, an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Basis, mentioned Hunker had been a “key ally,” as organizers have tried to kind by new Trump administration insurance policies, like a current coverage stopping migrants from leaving detention on bond whereas difficult their deportation.
Hunker “ is simply very clearheaded in his skill to challenge out what he thinks ICE counsel would argue,” McManus mentioned. Hunker’s judgement “has been actually useful as we’ve developed a authorized illustration technique for folks in detention.”
Whereas Hunker says his values and religion haven’t modified since he labored for ICE, crossing to the opposite facet of immigration courtroom has nonetheless been transformative for him.
Earlier than, he mentioned he didn’t totally admire how “life-changing” his routine choices a few keep of elimination or inexperienced card may very well be.
Now, realizing his shoppers and their households, “it’s spectacular” when he can get them that aid.
However he’s additionally seeing life get tougher for his non-citizen shoppers. On daily basis, attorneys like him are asking, “ What new horror comes down from the administration?” Hunker mentioned.
