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2026 Poverty Law Conference
Venue: Junior Ballroom clear filter
Wednesday, September 2
 

1:00pm CDT

Challenges in Obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Findings in SAPCR Proceedings
Wednesday September 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
KIND staff will explore the challenges of representing children seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) in SAPCR proceedings. KIND will review the requisite SIJS findings and common issues that can arise when working through standard SAPCR procedures. Attendees will have the opportunity to work through hypotheticals and review sample filings.
Speakers
CR
SH
MP
Wednesday September 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
  Immigration Law

2:15pm CDT

Security and Sovereignty: Protecting Immigrant Families through Naturalization
Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
This session explores naturalization as the ultimate tool for family unity and permanent security in a volatile legal landscape. Presenters will provide a technical deep-dive into N-400 issues, including navigating the "good moral character" requirement, medical waivers (N-648), and the implications of the most recent USCIS policy manual updates. Participants will learn strategies for identifying potential "red flag" cases that could lead to removal proceedings and how to effectively utilize administrative advocacy to resolve delayed applications.
Speakers
SM

Sara Morales

DOJ Accredited Representative, RAICES
Sara Morales is a DOJ Accredited Representative since 2018 with experience assisting immigrant families and individuals through the immigration legal process. Through advocacy, education, and community outreach, she provides guidance on immigration relief options, citizenship, family... Read More →
MR

Maria Romero

DOJ Accredited Representative, RAICES
LG

Leticia Galicia

DOJ Accredited Representative, RAICES
Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
  Immigration Law

3:30pm CDT

Essentials for Non-Immigration Practitioners: 2026 Immigration Legal Updates and Practical Tips
Wednesday September 2, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
This practical session provides attorneys outside the immigration field with essential insights into 2026's significant immigration developments. The session covers fundamental immigration concepts relevant to general practice, including Alien Registration Numbers, procedures for locating clients in immigration detention, methods for verifying immigration court hearings, and preparing in case of detention and deportation. Topics and updates covered are subject to change in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Speakers
avatar for Jessica Cisneros

Jessica Cisneros

Managing Attorney, Texas Immigration Law Council
Jessica Cisneros is a Managing Attorney at the Texas Immigration Law Council. Prior to joining the team, Jessica served at RAICES as the supervising attorney for the Laredo Removal team and as a staff attorney for the Family Detention/Expedited Removal team. Since graduating from... Read More →
Wednesday September 2, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
  Immigration Law
 
Thursday, September 3
 

9:00am CDT

Navigating the Storm: Hot Topics and Rapid Shifts in Asylum Law
Thursday September 3, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Junior Ballroom
In an era of "constant changes in immigration enforcement and asylum law," practitioners must remain agile. This session analyzes "hot topics" in asylum litigation, with a focus on Texas-specific challenges and recent appellate decisions. Presenters will discuss emerging trends in "particular social group" (PSG) definitions, the impact of shifting border policies on credible fear interviews, and strategies for managing high-volume asylum dockets without compromising the "zealous representation" of vulnerable individuals.
Speakers
AA
avatar for Katya Perez

Katya Perez

DOJ Accredited Representative, RAICES
I am an attorney originally from Mexico City and have lived in San Antonio, Texas for many years. In order to further support my professional work, I pursued a Master's degree in Social Justice, which complements both my legal background and my work in RAICES as a legal representative.Having... Read More →
avatar for Carmen Pina

Carmen Pina

Supervising Attorney, RAICES
Carmen Virginia Pina is an immigration attorney currently serving as Supervising Attorney. She has more than eight years of experience representing individuals in both removal defense and affirmative matters. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with vulnerable populations... Read More →
Thursday September 3, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Junior Ballroom
  Immigration Law

10:15am CDT

Family Preparedness for Immigrant Families
Thursday September 3, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Junior Ballroom
Many immigrant parents and legal guardians are concerned about who can care for their children or make decisions for them if the parent or legal guardian is detained or deported. This session will review options for a family to make a plan for an alternate caregiver, including reviewing decision-making rights without court orders or authorization and formal authorizations through court orders or special powers of attorney. The session will also include basic immigration safety planning tips for non-immigration practitioners who want to assist their clients with these types of advanced-planning documents. 
Speakers
CF

Caitlin Fish

Attorney, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Caitlin Fish is the Domestic Violence & Family Law Group Coordinator at  Texas RioGrande Legal Aid.  Caitlin oversees the work of TRLA's domestic violence and family law practice and handles a variety of civil legal cases for survivors, including family law and immigration cases... Read More →
Thursday September 3, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Junior Ballroom
  Immigration Law

1:00pm CDT

Beyond Borders: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Refugee Support and Resettlement
Thursday September 3, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
Providing "high-quality legal services" to refugees requires a bridge between legal relief and social stability. This session examines the RAICES model of integrating legal representation with holistic refugee services. We will discuss the specific challenges of the current resettlement environment, including housing instability, language access (serving non-Spanish speaking populations), and trauma-informed case management. The panel will demonstrate how "Holistic Service Integration" improves legal outcomes and client retention in both grant-funded and fee-for-service models.
Speakers
avatar for Shakira Taylor

Shakira Taylor

Attorney, RAICES
Shakira M. Taylor BS, JD, L.L.M, is an immigration attorney with more than ten years of legal experience. She earned her law degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico and an L.L.M in Transactional Law from Emory University School of Law. Her career has focused... Read More →
EA
BA
Thursday September 3, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
  Immigration Law

2:15pm CDT

Family Preparedness in a Time of Mandatory Detention: The State of Habeas Corpus and Litigating Release in Federal Court
Thursday September 3, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
Across Texas, immigrant families face growing risks of detention, creating urgent legal and practical challenges for advocates who support vulnerable communities. Many legal aid and nonprofit practitioners encounter these situations even if immigration law is not their primary area of practice. This session will provide an accessible overview of immigration detention and the role of federal habeas corpus litigation as a tool for challenging unlawful or prolonged detention and securing release from custody.

Panelists will explain how habeas petitions function in the immigration context, highlight recent legal developments, and discuss how detention challenges are currently being litigated in federal courts across Texas. Drawing from their experience coordinating pro bono habeas efforts, presenters will also explore practical considerations for advocates working with families at risk of detention, including ethical issues, cross-practice collaboration, and ways to incorporate detention-related legal planning into broader family preparedness efforts. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of when habeas relief may be available and how legal services organizations and community advocates—even those outside immigration practice—can help support families navigating detention-related crises.

Speakers
RP

Robert Painter

Managing Attorney, Texas Immigration Law Council
avatar for Kate Gibson Kumar

Kate Gibson Kumar

Texas Civil Rights Project
ZK

Zainab Khan

Managing Attorney for the Immigration Detention Project, Texas A&M University School of Law Legal Clinic
Zainab Khan serves as the Managing Attorney for the Immigration Detention Project that is funded by Dallas Area Interfaith and housed in the Texas A&M University School of Law Legal Clinic. The Immigration Detention Project helps eligible detainees seek release form immigration detention... Read More →
Thursday September 3, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
  Immigration Law

4:45pm CDT

Poverty Law Section Meeting
Thursday September 3, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm CDT
Junior Ballroom

Thursday September 3, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
 
Friday, September 4
 

9:00am CDT

Shields for the Vulnerable: Surviving and Thriving in USCIS Advocacy for T, U, and VAWA Cases
Friday September 4, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Junior Ballroom
Humanitarian relief for survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, and other serious crimes involves unique procedural hurdles and lengthy wait times. This session provides an advanced toolkit for handling T-visas, U-visas, and VAWA self-petitions. Topics include strategies for obtaining law enforcement certifications, responding to complex Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and utilizing the Bona Fide Determination (BFD) process to secure work authorization for clients earlier in the process. We will also discuss the "Wellness" aspect of this work, focusing on how staff can maintain high-quality representation while managing the secondary trauma inherent in survivor advocacy.
Speakers
LG

Leticia Galicia

DOJ Accredited Representative, RAICES
BA
JC

Josefina Castro

DOJ Accredited Representative, RAICES
Friday September 4, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Junior Ballroom
  Immigration Law

10:15am CDT

If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit…The Impact of Unjust Legal Financial Obligations and a Model for Justice Court Ability to Pay Determinations
Friday September 4, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Junior Ballroom
Across the country, unjust fines and fees burden millions of Americans. Rather than serving justice, these legal financial obligations trap people in poverty and prolong their involvement with the criminal justice system. Despite laws on the books that require ability to pay assessments, Texas is no exception. This is especially true in our justice courts, where defendants have no right to counsel and are often unaware of their right to have the judge determine their ability to pay and then sentence appropriately. In this session, Lisa Foster, Co-Founder and Senior Advisor of the Fines and Fees Justice Center, and Judge Steven Duble, Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, Place 2, will present on: 1. The impact of unjust fines and fees on individuals, families and communities, 2. The positive outcomes of having effective ability to pay determinations, and 3. How Harris County Justice of the Peace Court 1-2 is seeking to create a model ability to pay assessment process – one that is fair, efficient and effective. 
Speakers
LF

Lisa Foster

Fines and Fees Justice Center, Fines and Fees Justice Center
Lisa Foster is the Co-Executive Director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending the unjust and harmful imposition of fines and fees in the criminal legal system. A retired judge, Lisa is also the former director of the Office for Access to Justice... Read More →
avatar for Judge Steve Duble

Judge Steve Duble

Justice of the Peace, Harris County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1
Steve Duble has been the Justice Peace for Harris County Precinct 1, Place 2 (located in downtown Houston) since January 1, 2023. Since taking office, he has taken bold action to increase access to justice.  He earned his undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University in 1986... Read More →
Friday September 4, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Junior Ballroom
  Multidisciplinary/ Miscellaneous

11:30am CDT

Justice Blooms: Coalition Building to Address Legal Needs in Texas Legal Deserts
Friday September 4, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
Coalition building with a varied set of legal and non-legal partners in the Texas Panhandle has seeded the environment for a legal desert bloom in this region. This session will cover the successes and lessons learned during the Texas Immigration Law Council’s ongoing Panhandle Project, including practical guidance for coalition building with legal and non-legal partners. This session will cover ethical boundaries of engagement and addressing unauthorized practice of law. Presenters will provide frameworks for coalition building and measuring impact, including what organizations should consider when engaging partners, and deciding on structure of the coalitions. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of the coalition building model and concrete examples to utilize in their own work.

Speakers
avatar for Marcela Evans

Marcela Evans

Managing Attorney, Texas Immigration Law Council
Marcela brings a breadth of professional experiences and a multifaceted lens that she applies to her work. Marcela has focused her legal practice on providing stability, security, and education for her clients and communities. Marcela has held various leadership roles at Kids in Need... Read More →
SG

Salvador Gutierrez

Immigration Outreach and Communications Coordinator, Texas Immigration Law Council
Friday September 4, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm CDT
Junior Ballroom
  Immigration Law
 
2026 Poverty Law Conference
From $306.69

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