Thomas Esparza Jr.
About Thomas
Biography
Thomas Esparza, Jr., Attorney at Law, A Professional Corporation
Board Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law
La Madrid Building , 1811 So. 1st., Austin, Texas 78704
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EDUCATION
• McAllen High School-1970.
• Texas A & M University-1974, Worked part time
• University of Texas, School of Law-1977. Edited the Law school paper, Worked part time
LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• Licensed to practice November, 1977.
• Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association since 1980
• Board Certified Specialist - Immigration and Nationality Law, October 1985 to present
• Waco-McLennan County Legal Aid-1977-1978.
• Private Practice in Austin, Texas, 1978-present.
• Capital Area Mexican-American Lawyers, President, 1988-1989.
• State Bar Committee-Laws Relating to Immigration, 1985-1988 & 1998 to 2001.
• Member, State Bar College-1997 to present.
• Member, University of Texas Immigration and Nationality Law Conference Planning Committee, 1996 to 2010.
• Chairperson, Texas Oklahoma & New Mexico chapter of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association, 2005-2005
Chairman - Austin Commission on Immigrant Affairs 2008 to present.
Executive Committee - Immigrant Services Network of Austin 2008 to present.
PUBLIC OFFICE
• Justice of the Peace, Precinct Four, Travis County, Texas 1981-1982.
LEGAL & CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS
• Becker Community School Advisory Council, 1982-Present.
• Austin Community Education Volunteer of the Year 1995.
• Center for Battered Women, Founding Member, Board Member 1988.
• Austin Mardi Gras, President, 1982, Founding Member 1981.
• Austin Police Department-Task Force on Crimes Against Foreign Nationals.
• "Citizenship, the 100 Questions" video for Political Asylum Project and ACTV.
• Travis County Bar Association Conference; Immigrant Crimes and Criminal Law, 1999.
• Host "Ask an Attorney" and "Dialogue" Sponsored by Travis County Television
• Manager Oak Hill Youth Sports Association 12U Bronco Girls All Stars
PUBLICATIONS
• Family Based Immigration and Criminal Activity 2011 prepared for the State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Seminar
• Immigration Law and Crimes, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 & 2002 for the Advanced Criminal Defense Lawyer Conference
• Nueva Vida Con Inglés, Co-written with his mother, Esther La Madrid Esparza, this book teaches English as a Second Languages, ©1987, 1990, 1992 and 1997.
• El Camino: A Guide to Amnesty or Legalization Benefits (English and Spanish)©1986.
• Humpty Dumpty & Friends in the Southwest, A bilingual three book series with cassettes.
• Rocking Horse Rhymes, A two book bilingual series with matching cassettes.
• Esther’s Playhouse, Interactive preschool learning software.
• Citizenship, The 100 Questions, Book & Cassette, bilingual citizenship self study guide ©1998, 2002. 2010, and 2011
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Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
49 years | 15,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 48 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 1977
No misconduct found
Location
Esparza Thomas Jr Immigration Specialist Pc
1811 South 1st Street, Immigration Specialist w/40 years experience, Austin, TX, 78704-4251
Thomas Esparza, Jr. A Prof. Corporation
Board Certified Specialist Immigration and Nationality Law, 1811 S. First, Austin, TX, 78704-4251
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Thomas Esparza Jr.'s Reviews
Avvo Review Score
5 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Case Results
Posted by Lina Marin | June 20, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes
"Thomas Esparza is the chaman"
Mr. Thomas is the lawyer that you need and you always want to keep in your contacts, close to your hands. The first day that I came in to his office, I had a lot of confusion and sadness as my case was dropped by another lawyer seemingly without hope. As soon as Mr Esparza saw me, he told me: we...
Posted by E B | July 06, 2011 | Criminal Defense
You're the best!
I have a very difficult case, different name that I entered, misdemeanor , just tough. Waited for 15 years being like this because I am scared to face it, until we heard our friend mentioned Atty. Esparza. He helped me all the to the immigration in San Antonio. It's worth what we paid. Now I'm a new ...
Posted by Kathy | April 24, 2011 | Immigration
Thank you
This is the best Immigration lawyer you can find... he helped my family most of all my mom and i couldnt thank him enough. thanks to him my family and i have accomplished big things =) i reccomend him to all my friends and other family members and they have amazing results =) i wouldnt doubt going to...
Thomas Esparza Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Esparza provides a much needed service on Avvo. He donates his time to individuals who are in need of immediate legal answers."
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"With a great track record of hundreds of published answers to consumer questions on Avvo.com and the recommendations from clients and attorneys alike, it is easy to see that attorney Esparza is skilled and knows the law well, too. Kudos."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Attorney Esparza is a knowledgeable lawyer who is generous with his time and expertise. I recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Well-respected and a benefit to the Avvo community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Thomas professionally for many years. He is the immigration lawyer I most often refer my own clients to and to whom I turn for advice when immigration issues come up in my criminal defense practice. Very knowledgeable and helpful."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I started to pay attention when I read his posts on Avvo.com and his experience and resume provide all the evidence you need to know that he is a complete master."
"Attorney Esparza provides very informative answers to tough questions on AVVO. His genuine respect for immigrants no matter their background is extemely evident through his words and actions. Any person in need of legal assistance can be rest assured to get professional and ethical representation from Attorney Esparza. I feel honored to endorse Attorney Thomas Esparza Jr."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr Esparza Jr is by far the most compassionate immigration lawyer of our time! He dispenses wisdom with absolute compassionate and with a very easy going personality. I an sure it makes each of his clients feel that client is the only client he has, and makes that client feel hopeful in a very hopeless situation. Wisdom freely given."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Since I do not practice immigration law, I have read with great interest the articles written by Thomas and his responses to the many questions posed on this site. Here in Arizona, I often deal with family law issues which are complicated by immigration considerations. Thomas' insights have been very helpful."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I am familiar with Mr. Esparza from his many insightful and intelligent answers to questions posted on Avvo. Always willing to help out and give good concise answers. In the end, you may need to hire an attorney to get to the outcome you seek, but at least here you can get a good start with his informative answers, blogs, and legal guides."
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Experience
Honors
1995
Volunteer of the Year, Austin Community Education Program
Work Experience
1977 - Present
President-Lead Counsel, Thomas Esparza, Jr. A Professional Corporation
1981 - 1982
Justice of the Peace, Travis County, Texas
Associations
2008 - Present
Immigrant Services Network of AustinExecutive Committee, web site host, translator, graphics support
1980 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember,Past Chairman Texas Chapter
1977 - Present
State Bar of TexasMember
2010 - 2012
Oak Hill Youth Sports AssociationManager-Bronco Girls softball-Falcons
2001 - 2009
South Austin Optimist Little LeagueBoard Member, Safety Officer, Manager
1981 - 1999
Becker Community School Advisory CouncilPresident
Sample of Legal Cases
approved-client now a permanent resident
Successfully obtained withholding of removal
Green card granted
Education
1977
JD - Juris Doctor
1974
Bachelors
Speaking Engagements
2012
Immigration Law for the Travis County District Attorney Office
2011
2009
State Immigration Legislation in TX, Ok, & NM
Publications
2011
2010
1992
1990
Languages
Spanish
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
What do I do?
24 Nov 2025
Can a permanent resident still be admissible back into US from international travel with misdemeanors under new administration?
29 Apr 2025
Would my parents be able to cross an internal checkpoint with only the I-797 receipt notice from the I-130?
14 Mar 2022
Legal Guides
COVID Surge Triggers Immigration Court Postponements-January 2022
12 Jan 2022
Budget Reconciliation Bill passed by the House & pending in the Senate What you need to know.
29 Nov 2021
USCIS Confirms that Required Form I-693 Edition Is Determined on Civil Surgeon Signature Date
08 Oct 2021