David Swaim

David Swaim is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been the Managing Partner of Tidwell, Swaim & Farquhar since 1991.
Over the course of his career, David has successfully represented over 25,000 clients in immigration proceedings covering all areas of immigration law. David is known for developing many of the most innovative techniques for H-1 and labor certification cases, as well as creating immigration procedures at dozens of companies throughout the United States.

David has served employers of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies in all industries, including technology, research, accounting, architecture, education, marketing/advertising, communications, healthcare and engineering. As a result, he has represented an array of employers in the I-9 audit process (as well as other employment-based audits) including the establishment of I-9 compliance policies and programs, employer-initiated audits to test compliance and actual audits conducted by the government.

David is among a select few attorneys in Texas authorized to represent both the University of Texas System and the Texas A&M System. He also exclusively represents many other colleges and universities such as Baylor University and Texas Christian University.
Criminal defense attorneys throughout Texas rely on David for client issues involving crimes committed by foreign nationals, which include consultations throughout the criminal process for immigration consequences, representation in Immigration Court for individuals with past criminal charges or convictions, and habeas corpus relief in State and Federal Court for past criminal conduct. David has either personally represented or supervised cases for over 6,000 individuals in removal/deportation proceedings, asylum, adjustment of status, cancellation of removal and other applications for relief from deportation.

Since 1991, David has supervised every deportation case handled by the Firm and remains the responsible attorney for all deportation/removal cases and all cases involving litigation, including: administrative appeals, actions in Federal Courts, case negotiations with ICE and USCIS and applications for relief such as asylum, adjustment of status, cancellation of removal, and other complex litigation issues.

“I pursued Immigration Law because it is one of only two areas of practice in U.S. law that deals primarily with people and not money. I enjoy the opportunity to deal directly with people and have a real, positive impact on their lives and their families’ lives. And, a unique aspect of immigration law is that our opponent on every case is the Federal Government. There is a special feeling when you are able to overcome the power and resources of the Federal Government, whether the Immigration Service, Department of Labor or U.S. State Department, to force the Government to follow the law and treat people fairly and justly.”

Accomplishments
Successfully represented over 5,000 individuals in family immigration cases and naturalization/U.S. citizenship matters.
Successfully represented thousands of new U.S. citizens through the entire naturalization/citizenship process including many complex cases involving criminal backgrounds, false document claims, and underlying problems with the original grant of permanent residence.
Provided over 300 immigration seminars to international students and faculty at colleges, universities, and seminaries in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico and Mississippi.
Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1991.
Licensed in the State of Texas to practice in all state courts, the Northern District of Texas Federal District Courts and the Federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Practice includes cases with the Immigration Service, Department of State, Department of Labor, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Administrative Appeals Office and the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals.