A Texas-based corporate lawyer, Clay Jackson, says he was fired from his job after federal agents visited his home in response to informal legal advice he gave to an immigrant family affected by an ICE raid.

The Dallas attorney, who worked for Fidelity National Financial, reportedly provided pro bono legal guidance to a local family after the father was detained in an immigration sweep. The family included a U.S. citizen child and was left frightened and confused.

Jackson said he gave advice in a personal capacity, not as part of his corporate legal role. However, shortly after two individuals he believed to be ICE agents accused him of obstructing an investigation, he was abruptly terminated by Fidelity following publication of a media article covering the incident.

“I’m not spray painting a federal building,” Jackson told The Independent. “I’m just helping people in my community.”

ICE Visit and Fallout

• Two plainclothes agents appeared at Jackson’s door after he gave advice to the family.
• Jackson informed his employer that he would be speaking to a journalist about the incident.
• On the same day The Washington Post published the article (April 23), Jackson says his access to work systems was revoked and he was formally fired for “unsatisfactory performance.”

Fidelity declined to discuss employment details but stated Jackson was no longer with the company. The company’s billionaire chair, Bill Foley, has donated heavily to Donald Trump’s political campaigns.

Broader Implications Amid Trump Crackdown

Jackson’s case follows a series of executive orders by Trump targeting immigration attorneys, accusing them of helping clients deceive immigration courts. Several other immigration attorneys have recently reported being detained or questioned by federal agents, raising alarms in the legal community.

Jackson warns this could have a “chilling effect” on lawyers providing humanitarian legal aid:

“Every lawyer has to agree that every human being is entitled to due process… That’s the foundation of our profession.”

Key Takeaways:

• A Texas attorney was fired shortly after advising an immigrant family and being visited by federal agents.
• The incident raises concerns about legal retaliation and freedom of speech.
• Jackson says he acted out of conscience and fears for the future of pro bono legal work under political pressure.