ges, he could be disbarred. Hernandez said she is concerned about the men in ICE custody.

 They're going to be left abandoned,  Hernandez said.  They're going to be left in limbo. 

Hernandez said she has filed bar complaints against Balderas-Ibarra in both Texas and New Mexico. The filing of a grievance does not establish misconduct, and disciplinary complaints are generally subject to a separate review process.

Balderas-Ibarra faces criminal cases in Texas and Florida

KPRC 2 previously reported that Balderas-Ibarra is facing felony criminal charges in Harris County and Seminole County, Florida.

In Harris County, he is charged in a felony assault case and is expected to appear in court next week.

In Florida, Balderas-Ibarra is charged with false imprisonment and domestic battery following a December 2025 incident involving a woman with whom he had been in a relationship.

Florida court records also accuse Balderas-Ibarra of violating a condition of his bond by emailing the woman while he was subject to a no-contact order.

Balderas-Ibarra has also filed civil litigation against the woman, accusing her of fraud, theft, defamation and other wrongdoing. She has denied his allegations in court filings and submitted exhibits she says show disputed financial transactions were authorized and governed by written agreements.

Under State Bar of Texas disciplinary rules, a lawyer convicted of certain serious or intentional crimes may face compulsory discipline. If the sentence includes incarceration beyond a condition of probation, the attorney must be disbarred. If the sentence is fully probated, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals may either suspend the attorney's license for the period of probation or order disbarment.

Licensing and professional organization membership

State Bar of Texas records show Balderas-Ibarra has held a probationary law license in Texas since January 2025. He has also been licensed in New Mexico since 2019.

Balderas-Ibarra does not appear in the American Immigration Lawyers Association's public attorney search. Membership in the private professional organization is not required to practice immigration law.

Hernandez said most immigration attorneys she has worked with belonged to the organization because it provides continuing education, professional resources and access to other immigration practitioners.

People searching for immigration counsel can use the American Immigration Lawyers Association's attorney directory and confirm an attorney's license and disciplinary history through the applicable state bar.

Hernandez has also created a Facebook advocacy group that she says is intended to help immigrants identify resources and connect with legal assistance.

Balderas-Ibarra was scheduled for sentencing for charges in Florida on Wednesday but it is now set to be a status hearing.

He is also expected to be in Harris County court next week for a felony assault charge.