News

Contact Lynn Dempsey
214-768-8617 or ldempsey@smu.edu

June 1, 2020

SMU’S LAW SCHOOL LAUNCHING HELPLINE JUNE 1 TO ASSIST WITH COVID-19 RELATED LEGAL ISSUES

DALLAS (SMU) — Beginning June 1, SMU Dedman School of Law will launch a clinic project with an emergency helpline that offers North Texas residents the opportunity to secure free legal assistance with matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as housing, immigration and consumer protection. Working under the supervision of SMU Law Clinic faculty, more than 45 law students will staff the COVID-19 Legal Helpline, which may be reached by dialing 214-SMU-COVD (214-768-2683).

Callers seeking assistance with certain COVID-19 related legal problems can receive assistance through the SMU legal clinics or, when necessary, referral to local law firms and attorneys providing free services in some specialized areas. Dedicated community partners like the law firm, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and SMU Law alumnus Mark Melton, whose pro bono project DallasEvictions2020.com includes more than 80 volunteer attorneys, are already working with the law school to take referrals. Other partners for the project will include the Dallas Bar Association, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP), Legal Aid of Northwest Texas and UNT Dallas College of Law.

“This project is a wonderful example of how deeply committed SMU is to helping our students and to serving the beautiful city in which we are so fortunate to be located,” said Jennifer Collins, Dean of SMU Dedman School of Law. “We are very grateful to have such committed partners and to be able to provide support to our community as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times.”

The COVID-19 Emergency Helpline Project has two primary goals:

• To fill gaps in the availability of reasonably fast, reliable and necessary legal information and advice in certain key areas through a dedicated helpline
• To provide SMU law students with meaningful opportunities to develop important professional values and skills as they work collaboratively with each other, supervising faculty, and volunteer attorneys

“We hope the Helpline will be an important resource for members of our Dallas/Fort Worth community who are struggling,” said professor Mary Spector, Associate Dean for Clinics at SMU. “It will also provide SMU Law students with the chance to gain valuable legal experience and professional skills. I’m proud of our students’ eagerness to step up to the legal challenges the pandemic presents.”

Those interested in making a financial contribution or supporting the Helpline project may visit the SMU Dedman School of Law giving page at smu.edu/law/giving.

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The School of Law at SMU was founded in 1925. It was named Dedman School of Law in 2001 in honor of Dallas benefactors Nancy and Robert H. Dedman, Sr., and their family. SMU Dedman Law enjoys a national and international reputation of distinction. It is among the most competitive law schools in the country for admission, as well as one of the most successful in the placement of its graduates.

In 1947, SMU Law was one of the first law schools in the country to sponsor a community legal clinic as part of a law school curriculum. Today, legal clinics are essential to Dedman School of Law’s mission of preparing students to be leaders in the legal profession and in business while serving the needs of their community.

S.T.E.E.R. flyer (PDF)

As the nation faces the first significant economic downturn since 2008, your local bar associations have teamed up to form STEER, a program that aims to provide lawyers with employment and career advice related to changes in the economy and the profession because of CoVID-19. If you have been furloughed, are concerned you might be or are just starting your career and are finding it difficult to land employment, this program will connect you with Dallas’ most experienced and well connected lawyers who will be available in an advisory capacity to help you navigate a difficult market and changing times. To learn more or to sign up, please click on this link to fill out a very brief application.

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Dallas Hispanic Bar Association Donates Meals to Three Dallas Area Emergency Hospitals

Dallas, TX - To contribute to the support of local frontline health care workers during the current COVID-19 crisis, the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association (DHBA) is donating 150 meals to three of Dallas’ most impacted emergency room hospitals.

Yesterday, Methodist Dallas Medical Center’s Laura Motta Mena, PhD., Director, Community and Public Relations with Jackie Guzman, welcomed the meals from a local restaurant in Oak Cliff, El Taxqueno Taqueria.

Pictured: El Taxqueno Taqueria owner Amando Monroy

Additionally, the DHBA delivered meals to Parkland Hospital, and plans to deliver to emergency medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center. “This is a small gesture of support for all the frontline heroes that are working tirelessly during this pandemic,” stated DHBA President Isaac Faz. “We are more than happy to help thank healthcare workers and support our local restaurants, a win-win. It’s our turn to support them, and the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association and our members say gracias! We hope others in our community will join us by donating, finding a way to give back, to those working to combat the virus, or to help those in need across the DFW area.”

The small business restaurants participating in DHBA’s donation effort include El Taxqueno Taqueria in Oak Cliff, Sammy’s BBQ in Uptown, and Mama Mia Pasta & Pizza in Deep Ellum.

Interviews and additional pictures are available upon request.

Dallas Hispanic Bar Association Purpose:
To promote the social, economic, educational and civic advancement of the DFW Metroplex Hispanic community by making the legal system more accessible to the Hispanic community, and more responsive to its needs. Follow on social media @DallasHBA

Contact: Mauricio Navarro
214.600.1533
Navarro@navarrogrp.com

DHBA's President-Elect, Javier Perez, gave an interview to Univision today about changes to unemployment benefits.

Watch the interview

Yesterday, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued a shelter-in-place order for Dallas County, effective tonight through April 3. The Texas Tribune has coverage.

Below is a summary of the order from Texas State Rep. and DHBA member Victoria Neave.

WHO:

• Order applies to every resident of Dallas County, including residents of Mesquite, Garland, and Dallas.

WHAT:

• Everyone must stay at their place of residence--#StayAtHome.
• Everyone must practice 6 feet of social distancing when they are outside their residence.
• You may leave your home ONLY for Essential Activities, to perform Essential Government Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses
• All businesses, except for Essential Businesses, are required to cease activities; however, businesses can continue to operate with their employees or independent contractors working from home
• All public gatherings outside the home are prohibited.
• Restaurants may continue to provide takeout, delivery, or drive-through services.
• Religious services may only be provided by video and teleconference.
• Elective medical, surgical, and dental procedures are prohibited.

WHEN:

• As of 11:59 pm on Monday, March 23, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 pm on Friday, April 3, 2020

WHERE:

• Every city in Dallas County, including Mesquite, Garland, and Dallas

WHY:

• To save lives and protect the health and safety of our community

WHAT IS CONSIDERED AN "ESSENTIAL ACTIVITY?"

• Activities or tasks essential to one's personal or family's health and safety (For example, getting medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies needed to work from home)
• To get or deliver essential supplies or services necessary to maintain one's personal or family's safety (For example, buying food, pet supply, household products)
• To engage in an outdoor activity WHILE COMPLYING with social distancing requirements (Walking, hiking, biking, and running are allowed, if comply with social distancing)
• To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business.
• To care for a family member or pet in another household.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED AN "ESSENTIAL BUSINESS?"

• Essential Healthcare Operations
• Essential Government Functions
• Essential Critical Infrastructure
• Essential Retail
• Providers of Basic Necessities
• News Media
• Childcare Services

 A message from the City of Dallas:

Given the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and the CDC recommendation that gatherings of more than 50 people be cancelled for 8 weeks, we have elected to suspend the April 25th #MyDallas Citizenship Workshop. Our top priority is the health and safety of residents, and suspending the workshop follows CDC recommendations to practice social distancing to halt the spread of the virus.

We are closely monitoring the local situation concerning the COVID-19 virus in our area. We will continue to keep you updated regarding the Citizenship Workshop once a new date has been identified.

We thank you for your understanding.

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.

• Presentation
• Update for Assisters
• Actualización para consumidores

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/.

Bilingual event flyers (PDF)

DHBA is happy to announce that we are partnering again with the City of Dallas Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs (WCIA) and other community organizations in hosting another #MyDallas Citizenship Workshop on Saturday, April 25th, 2020 at the J. Erik Jonsson Dallas Public Library.

We hope that you will consider volunteering your time and talent at this year's Workshop.  We are aiming to nearly double the number of applicants we serve at this year's Workshop, so we will need lots of help. I am attaching the flyer for the recruitment of volunteers. Please help us to circulate it!

If you are able to volunteer on April 25th, please confirm by contacting both Carlos Campos with the City of Dallas (carlos.campos1@dallascityhall.com or (214) 670-5336)) AND Patricia Freshwater with the DHBA (freshwater@dfwvisa.com), so that DHBA can track it's volunteers.

DHBA has committed to provide 10 attorney volunteers for this great event.  Please help us meet our goal!

Training sessions for volunteers are identified on the volunteer recruitment flyer. However, if you volunteered last year, you are not required to attend a training.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Flyer for workshop in Spanish and English (PDF)

Catholic Charities is hosting a free DACA workshop for our DACAmented community members on January 2, 2019, when many students with DACA will be in town for the holidays.

The time to help individuals with DACA is NOW.  The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case regarding the future of the program, and it is entirely possible that the Court will allow DACA to end by early summer.  Please help individuals in need renew now!

Please register as a volunteer here: https://tinyurl.com/volunteerregJan2019

Event flyer (PDF)

The City of Dallas Office of Welcoming Communities & Immigrant Affairs Needs You To Help Immigrants Become U.S. Citizens!

Help immigrants in Dallas to achieve the American Dream!
Interested in helping? Contact: (214) 671-5087
Join us for one of the following volunteer training sessions.

• Thursday, October 10, 6 pm - 8 pm
• Saturday, October 12, 10 am - 12 pm
• Thursday, October 17, 6 pm - 8 pm
• Saturday, October 19, 10 am - 12 pm
• Thursday, October 24, 6 pm - 8 pm
• Saturday, October 26, 10 am - 12 pm

This 90-minute course covers several topics including:

• naturalization requirements and process
• steps to complete each part of the N-400 application
• how to mail the N-400 application
• preparation for the naturalization interview

The citizenship workshop will be held on Saturday, November 9.