My name is Emma Ibarra-Martinez, and I am the principal attorney at Ibarra Martinez Law PLLC. I have been working exclusively in the area of immigration law for more than six years. In that time, I have filed over 2,500 cases, accompanied my clients to 100s of immigration interviews, appeared at countless hearings, and argued many motions and various appeals.
Growing up near the US-Mexico border in Brownsville, Texas, I was inspired to become an immigration attorney. Immigrants are our neighbors, friends, family members, and make up the fabric of America. I believe it is my calling to assist immigrants in navigating the American immigration system as they pursue their version of the American dream.
My hard work as an immigration lawyer has been recognized by my colleagues and peers as I have been asked to lecture to immigration law students at both the University of Houston Law Center and South Texas College of Law. I have also been a presenter to fellow attorneys at the State Bar of Texas Continuing Legal Education seminars.
I have given my time as pro bono counsel for detained women and children in Artesia, New Mexico. I have previously been awarded membership to the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas – an award for attorneys who have demonstrated a commitment to legally serving underserved communities. I am an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) and am currently the AILA Liaison to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Houston field office. My work with AILA allows me to keep abreast of the constant changes in the immigration law field. I enjoy spending time with my husband and volunteering at the Christian Community Service Center in Houston and at BARC animal shelter in my free time.
Licenses
- State Bar of Texas
- Texas Southern District Court
Education
- St. Edward’s University
- South Texas College of Law
Memberships
- Consulting Attorney for the General Consulate of Mexico in Houston
- American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA)
- National Immigration Lawyer’s Guild
- ASISTA
Speaking engagements
- State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting in Houston, Hot Topics in Family Immigration (2018)
- South Texas College of Law, Immigration Clinic, Inadmissibility vs. Removability Presentation (2016-2022)
- AILA Houston Chapter Monthly Meeting Public Charge Issues Update (2018)
- State Bar of Texas, Advanced Immigration Law, Mock Removal Hearing (2018)
- University of Houston Law School, Immigration Law Clinic, Efficient ways to handle family based petitions (2015-2017)
- State Bar of Texas, Handling your First (or Next) Family Sponsored Immigration Case, Immediate Relatives: Very Special Family (2016)
Volunteer Experience
- United States U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services- AILA Liaison to the Houston Field Office
- United States U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services- AILA Houston Chapter-Co-Chair
- Pro bono counsel for detained women and children in Artesia, NM
- Pro bono College of the State Bar of Texas
- Christian Community Service Center (CCSC)
- BARC Houston