Deportation Case Fuels Controversy in Colorado Immigration Law
The deportation of Luis Rivas, a long-term resident of Glenwood Springs, has ignited discussions among immigration law experts in Colorado, including Gypsum Representative Hector Gonzalez. Rivas was sent back to Mexico in September, prompting scrutiny over the adequacy of his legal representation during immigration proceedings.
Gonzalez, who was associated with the U.S. Department of Justice until April 4, represented Rivas—full name Luis Armando Rivas Martínez—in a U visa application last summer. This followed Rivas’s arrest in a Glenwood Springs Walmart parking lot and subsequent transfer to the Aurora ICE processing center.
Speaking from Mexico via Zoom, Rivas expressed dissatisfaction with the representation he received, stating, “Yes, I was deported… our representation was very bad, and that’s because he’s not a lawyer. He’s a registered agent.” Initially, Rivas had sought assistance from immigration attorney Hans Meyer of the Meyer Law Firm, who quoted him a fee of $20,000. Subsequently, he discovered a resource list of pro bono attorneys at the Aurora facility from the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, which included Gonzalez.
Rivas’s daughter contacted Gonzalez, who offered to handle the U-visa application for a fee of $8,000. Rivas stated that throughout their engagement, he, his daughter, and his ex-wife were under the impression that Gonzalez was a certified immigration attorney. It wasn’t until February, after Rivas’s deportation, that he learned Gonzalez lacked formal legal credentials.
“We’ve consulted other lawyers, and they consistently say that my legal representation was inadequate,” Rivas explained. A self-employed handyman in Glenwood Springs for nearly two decades, Rivas mentioned specific failures in his case, such as not securing a bond or pursuing an appeal, which he believes could have altered the outcome.
Gonzalez faces a formal complaint submitted to state authorities by immigration attorney Jennifer Smith of Smith Knudson in Glenwood Springs. Smith alleges that Gonzalez misrepresented himself as a lawyer in various media and public forums, raising concerns about the vulnerability of the immigrant community he serves.
In response to the allegations, Gonzalez maintains that he has always identified himself as an authorized representative and he has the legal rights to assist clients in immigration matters just as a licensed attorney would. He stated that his accreditation allows him to effectively support individuals through the immigration process, presenting his qualifications as fully recognized by the Department of Justice.
The Colorado Supreme Court’s Office of Regulatory Counsel has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations against Gonzalez, adhering to state privacy laws. Meanwhile, Gonzalez argues that the accusations from Smith are unfounded and intended to tarnish his reputation. He dismissed claims that his representation was subpar and pointed out the broader challenges within the immigration system that often lead to unfavorable outcomes.
As the immigration landscape becomes increasingly hostile, both Gonzalez and Smith emphasize the need for informed legal assistance. Smith cautioned that improper applications could lead to severe repercussions, including detention or deportation. “It costs significantly more to rectify mistakes than to do it correctly from the outset,” she warned, advocating for higher standards in legal representation.
Meyer echoed these concerns, stressing the importance of hiring licensed attorneys within the current restrictive immigration climate. He highlighted the accountability mechanisms available for checking a lawyer’s credentials and history, underscoring the risks associated with uncredentialed practitioners. “While not all lawyers are trustworthy, reputable ones can be verified through regulatory channels,” he said, reinforcing the necessity of due diligence in selecting legal representation.
