A Message from the 2023 DHBA President, Carla Green

DHBA Familia,

We are officially off to a new year and I am truly honored to be serving as President of the DHBA in 2023!

I want to start by saying that I know I have some big shoes to fill following Elsa Manzanares, our 2022 fearless, hard-working President. Elsa’s dedication to the DHBA has been an inspiration and I hope to carry on and grow the already wonderful momentum, initiatives, and support Elsa was able to garner for the DHBA this past year. I am thankful Elsa will continue to serve on our Board as Immediate-Past President and we look forward to working with her. I also want to acknowledge and give many thanks to some of our outgoing Board members that have given their service and (for some) several years of their time—many thanks to Jake Torres, Tyrone Valdivia, Fabiola Segovia, and Javier Perez. I want our members to know that the DHBA would not be the organization that it is without you. Without your support, your time, and yes, even your donations—the DHBA would not be able to accomplish the wonderful work that it does. We are grateful for each of you and encourage you to participate, become involved, and socialize with your familia. The DHBA is only growing, getting stronger—we’re excited that we’ve seen substantial increases in our membership numbers, we’ve raised record-setting donations for our incredible initiatives, including for the DHBA’s pipeline initiative, the Dallas Latina Leadership Program, and our Judicial Externship Program.

Throughout my years of service on the DHBA Board, I’ve had the honor of meeting and having long discussions with our DHBA members. In those discussions, I often hear about how the DHBA has impacted our members, many times in different ways. For some, the DHBA has been an organization that has introduced them to other attorneys with similar backgrounds that have resulted in long-lasting, inspiring friendships/mentorships. For others, the DHBA is an organization that has rallied behind causes and initiatives that inspired our members to participate and become more involved in our Dallas-Hispanic community.

For me, the DHBA has always felt like home, like family. My first introduction to the DHBA was in law school when I attended Texas A&M University of Law. I was a single mother, juggling raising an 8-year-old son, trying to get through my law school courses, and keeping up a comfortable household for the both of us. Scholarships were game-changers. The DHBA awarded me one of my first scholarships in law school—and to this day—I remember how excited I was to receive those funds. It was a relief. I needed and the DHBA responded. That’s familia. After graduating and moving to Dallas, the DHBA became an organization of support and comfort. I’ve met so many life-long friends/colleagues through this organization that I consider familia.

It is truly inspirational to hear (and experience) how the DHBA has impacted our members’ law practice and lives. We want to continue to do so. So, join us! Come celebrate with us! We are excited about this upcoming year and look forward to working with our members to reach our goals and continue our mission.

Carla Green 

2023 DHBA President

Public Charge Rule Information

Monday, February 24, 2020 7:35 PM | Matthew Phillips

The Trump Administration's "public charge" rule goes into effect today.  For over a hundred years, public charge inadmissibility has been narrowly used to identify immigrants who are likely to depend on the government for long-term assistance as their main form of financial support.  U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services would be able to deny such an individual's application for permanent resident (or "green card") status. 

The new rule drastically expands this long-standing policy by adding specific standards for income, health, age, and English proficiency for new immigrants.  It greatly expands the forms of public assistance that are considered as part of the public charge determination.

DHBA opposes this new rule, as it fundamentally changes our country from one that welcomes individuals and families who come here to work hard and build a better life for themselves and their communities into one in which all that matters is how much money they have.  It also discourages parents from applying for necessary health and food benefits to which their U.S. citizen children are entitled, punishes potential immigrants for being too old or too young, and prioritizes wealth over community.

Below are helpful links and key points from the Center for Public Policy Priorities.

Trump's new Public Charge rule takes effect today (2/24/2020), replacing rules that have been in effect since 1999.

  • The new Public Charge rule affects ONLY persons submitting a visa or green card application today or in the future.  Pending applications already in the pipeline are subject to the "old" rules.
  • Negative consideration of SNAP (food stamps), federal housing benefits, or Medicaid use by adults (pregnant women and kids are NOT counted) will ONLY look at use of those benefits from today forward.  No looking back.
  • Use of benefits by a family member has NO impact on the green card or visa applicant.  ONLY use of the benefits above by the applicant herself is considered.
  • As of today, these policies are the same regardless of whether someone applies from outside the U.S. at a U.S. consulate, or inside the U.S. (there had been a period in which they were inconsistent).

CPPP has posted new, updated resources, targeted to support workers who help Texans apply for benefits and health insurance.  More will be continued to be posted on Updates for Texas on the "Public Charge" Rule.

The national Protecting Immigrant Families campaign has updated these materials to share with consumers:

Public Charge: Does this apply to me?
Updated February 14, 2020*
(See how 'public charge' will impact you based on your immigration status, and what you should do – PIF)

Should I Keep My Kids Enrolled in Health & Nutrition Programs? 
Updated February 14, 2020*
(Use this guide to help answer commonly asked questions about how to make good decisions for your family and their health – PIF)

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Public Charge Messages for Community Members
Updated February 14, 2020*
(Top messages to share with immigrant communities on the recent changes to public charge – PIF)

You Have Rights – Protect Your Health 
Updated October 24, 2019*
(An overview for mixed-status families when it comes to going to the doctor or enrolling in health insurance – PIF).

The links above are also available in Spanish, see https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/.


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