Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me!
When I started law school at the University of Texas, I wanted to focus on social justice. Because I speak Spanish, I saw an opportunity to help at the Immigration Clinic and enrolled.
My first assignment was at the Hutto immigrant detention center, where I met an asylum-seeking family with a five-month-old baby girl. The baby was wearing a prison-issued onesie. Her mother asked me to hold her because I smelled like the outside world.
Before I left, she pleaded with me to take her baby and care for her until the parents could be released. I couldn’t do that, but I did represent them in their asylum case—and we won.
The relief I felt when that family was freed, along with the heartbreak of seeing children in detention, made my career path clear: I would fight for immigrants’ rights and dignity.
Experience
I am the managing partner of Houston Texas Immigration Lawyers. I earned my undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas. In 2008, I received an Equal Justice Works Fellowship, which I completed at American Gateways, focusing on detained families seeking asylum. After my fellowship, I entered private immigration practice.
Our firm handles family-based immigration, green cards, naturalization, deportation defense, and humanitarian cases like asylum, U Visas, and VAWA. Every team member is bilingual, passionate about immigration, and dedicated to the cause. For us, this work is a mission—not just a profession.
Service & Advocacy
I serve as the Commissioner on Immigrant Affairs for the City of Austin under Mayor Adler. I am also the pro bono liaison for the American Immigration Lawyers Association Texas Chapter and Chair of the Board of Directors for VECINA, an organization that mentors immigration attorneys. I regularly train and encourage lawyers to take on pro bono cases.
In 2018, I was actively involved in efforts to reunite families separated by the Zero Tolerance policy of the Trump administration. Through VECINA, I continue to work toward reuniting unaccompanied migrant children with their families.
Awards & Recognition
2023 Travis County Women Lawyers Pathfinder’s Award
2022 Austin Monthly Top Immigration Lawyer
2022, 2019, 2020, 2021 Super Lawyer – Thompson Reuters
2020 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics
2020 David H. Walter Community Excellence Award – Austin Bar Association
2019 & 2020 Best of Austin Immigration Attorney – Austin Monthly Magazine
2019 Kick Ass Award – Capitol Area Progressive Democrats
2019 Finalist, Austin Under 40 Awards (Legal Category)
2019 Changemaker Award – Austin Young Chamber
2018 Leadership in Advocacy Award – Grassroots Leadership
2018 Excellence in Pro Bono Award – Austin Bar Association
2018 Clients’ Choice Award – Avvo
2017 & 2018 Rising Star – Thompson Reuters Super Lawyer Magazine
2017 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year – Travis County Women Lawyers Association
2010 Contribution to Minority Community Award – Travis County Women Lawyers Association
I have appeared on major news platforms, including NBC, BBC, MSNBC, The New York Times, Fox News, and National Public Radio, to provide expert analysis on immigration law. I also speak at legal education events for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the State Bar of Texas, and the Austin Bar Association, as well as at schools, churches, and community organizations.
Above all, my greatest joy is my family: my husband, Josh, and our daughters, Nora and Winslow.
Trusty Sidekick
Meet Our Office Mascot: Popcorn!
Hello, I’m Popcorn, the official mascot of Houston Texas Immigration Lawyers!
I’m a TikTok star and a very good girl. I love cuddles and doing tricks, but I don’t love getting my fur brushed.
My job? Bringing smiles, warmth, and a little extra joy to our clients and team. I believe everyone deserves clear, simple updates on immigration—kind of like popcorn: bite-sized and easy to digest!
Follow me on TikTok! @abogadakatelgl
