Dallas Alien Smuggling & Harboring Attorney
Federal prosecutors treat alien smuggling and harboring under 8 U.S.C. § 1324 as serious threats to national security and immigration control. These investigations often move fast, involve multiple federal agencies, and carry penalties that rival major felony offenses.
But behind every case is a story the government rarely tells. Some defendants are accused for humanitarian reasons, others for business decisions or alleged participation in broader networks.
No matter the circumstances, every person accused deserves a defense built on facts, not assumptions. Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC defends individuals across Texas who are charged with alien smuggling, harboring, or conspiracy. We bring order, clarity, and strategy to one of the most complex areas of federal criminal law.
Accused of alien smuggling or harboring in Texas? Our Dallas defense attorneys deliver focused strategies. Call (214) 238-9392 for your free consultation.
How the Government Builds § 1324 Cases & How We Dismantle Them
Alien smuggling and harboring prosecutions are often built on surveillance, financial records, or communications data that can be interpreted in multiple ways. Federal agents use broad investigative authority to connect drivers, landlords, employers, or even acquaintances to alleged criminal “schemes.”
At Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, we know how to dismantle those narratives. Our founding attorney has prosecuted federal cases, which means we understand what evidence the government needs, and what it cannot lawfully use.
We challenge federal prosecutions by:
- Disputing Intent. The government must prove knowledge and purpose. We expose assumptions, mistranslations, and incomplete communications used to imply criminal intent.
- Breaking Down Conspiracy Theories. Many defendants are charged for simply knowing or communicating with someone under investigation. We separate speculation from proof.
- Challenging Digital Evidence. From text messages to GPS data, we evaluate chain of custody and forensic accuracy to exclude unreliable material.
- Targeting Procedural Errors. If agents conducted searches without proper warrants or exceeded their jurisdiction, we move to suppress the results before trial.
Defending Against Federal Allegations of Alien Smuggling or Harboring
When the government files a case under 8 U.S.C. § 1324, it is never confined to a single agency. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Border Patrol, and the Department of Justice coordinate to pursue charges that carry political weight and severe penalties.
Our attorneys understand how these investigations begin, how evidence is gathered, and how fast the government moves from surveillance to indictment. Early representation changes the trajectory of your case.
Once we are retained, Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC acts immediately to:
- Intervene in Agent Communication. We contact prosecutors directly to stop unauthorized questioning and ensure you do not make statements that can be used to imply participation in a smuggling network.
- Secure Vehicles & Property. In many cases, cars, phones, or even homes are seized as alleged tools of transportation or harboring. We move quickly to preserve your assets and contest forfeiture.
- Review Immigration-Related Interviews. Agents frequently pressure migrants or witnesses into statements that distort facts. We investigate how those interviews were conducted and whether coercion occurred.
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Protecting Your Freedom, Property, & Immigration Status
Federal alien smuggling and harboring charges carry severe penalties. A conviction under 8 U.S.C. § 1324 can mean:
- Up to 10 years in federal prison per count, and significantly more if injury, death, or financial gain is alleged.
- Asset forfeiture, including vehicles, property, and funds tied to the alleged conduct.
- Heavy fines and restitution, often in addition to imprisonment.
For non-citizens, the consequences are even greater. Conviction can lead to deportation, permanent inadmissibility, and loss of lawful status. Even lawful residents or visa holders risk revocation of their documents and future immigration benefits.
Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC defends all dimensions of your case: criminal, financial, and immigration-related. We coordinate with immigration counsel when needed, act fast to challenge asset forfeiture, and work to preserve your right to remain in the United States.
Our Strategy for Complex, Multi-Defendant Federal Cases
Alien smuggling and harboring prosecutions often include multiple defendants, overlapping evidence, and cooperating witnesses. The government’s goal is to link everyone into one conspiracy, even when the facts do not support it.
Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC separates our clients from that narrative. We identify your individual role, challenge collective assumptions, and make clear distinctions that prevent the prosecution from grouping you with others. Every communication, transaction, and witness statement is analyzed to determine whether it actually applies to you.
Our attorneys coordinate closely with investigators and analysts to keep the defense structured, responsive, and fact-driven. We manage evidence, cross-reference digital records, and stay alert to changes in the government’s case so that your defense remains controlled and strategic at every stage.
How We Challenge the Government’s Claims of Criminal Intent
Intent is the line between a federal crime and ordinary help under 8 U.S.C. § 1324. Prosecutors must prove you acted knowingly or with reckless disregard. Too often they rely on fragments such as a text, a cash transfer, or an address near the border, then argue that any contact equals intent. Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC challenges those leaps.
The statute also requires that any transporting or harboring be done in furtherance of unlawful presence. Not every interaction is a crime. A ride is not smuggling. Providing shelter is not harboring unless the purpose is to conceal someone from authorities.
Our team tests the government’s story against the record. We examine communications, timing, language, and translations, trace when knowledge formed, and surface lawful explanations the prosecution ignored. Then we hold prosecutors to the only standard that matters in court: proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Speak with a Dallas Alien Smuggling Defense Lawyer Today
Federal immigration prosecutions can escalate without warning. The sooner you act, the more control you have over the outcome.
Call (214) 238-9392 or contact us online for a free and confidential initial consultation. Our team is available 24 hours a day to answer questions, intervene with investigators, and begin building your defense immediately.