Dallas, TX
I’m a Dallas physician seeking treatments for rare cancers. My DACA status might stop me
A few years ago, I encountered a Pakistani man in the ICU who was on life support. His family spoke only Urdu and didn’t understand what was happening, so I was brought in to help. I explained the situation clearly in their native language, and though the prognosis was devastating, the family thanked me. Communicating in their own language restored some humanity to an isolating and painful experience.
As a Pakistani-born hospitalist at UT Southwestern in Dallas, I’m often called upon to interpret for Urdu-speaking patients. It’s a role that’s increasingly necessary as the number of people in the U.S. who speak a language other than English at home has nearly tripled between 1980 and 2019. And yet, when I work with immigrant patients, I’m often reminded of the barriers I have faced because of my own immigration status.
Since 2012, I’ve had temporary legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA program, given to young immigrants whose parents brought them here without the right documentation.
There are over 500,000 DACA recipients in the U.S. with over 1.5 million eligible for this status. Many of us are pursuing careers in medicine and education, fields desperate for more talent. Yet we continue to face roadblocks.
My parents brought me from Pakistan to San Antonio when I was 1 year old. My father had a degree in microbiology and hoped to work in the pharmaceutical industry. We came with a tourist visa and a promise of employer sponsorship for my father, but the employer-backed out at the last minute. We had already upended our entire lives in Pakistan, so we stayed.
It wasn’t easy for my parents. They worked low-paying jobs that didn’t require documentation and often struggled to afford groceries and basic necessities. Despite this, I considered myself no different than my friends. I attended public school in San Antonio, where I played sports, volunteered at local health organizations and lead the youth group at my mosque. I was valedictorian of my class. But my junior year in high school, when I excitedly told my parents I hoped to become a doctor, they sat me down and shared the truth: We were undocumented, and I would face a multitude of barriers as I pursued my dreams in America.
I still don’t have a path to citizenship in this country — something only Congress can make happen. In the worst-case scenario, I could be deported if the next president decides to eliminate DACA or current legal cases against the program end up before the Supreme Court and the high court agrees with the latest rulings.
But my status already restricts me in many ways. Unless something changes, I’m allowed to practice medicine in only a handful of states that allow DACA recipients to obtain medical licenses. I’m also unable to apply for the kinds of federal grants that physicians need to conduct vital research and lead clinical trials in my field — blood disorders and cancers. Such research could improve care for millions of people worldwide.
I was driven to study medicine after watching my parents struggle to receive basic health care when I was a child. Then, when I was 22, my mom was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. If a nonprofit hadn’t helped her to pay the medical bills, I’m not sure she’d be here today. This thought often keeps me up at night.
Our country has the most advanced facilities and therapies in the world. And yet many of my patients, both immigrant and American-born, can’t access it because of the cost or lack of insurance. We all deserve a chance at living a healthy, full life, no matter where we come from or the circumstances surrounding us.
DACA changed my life. It allowed me to go to medical school and attend residency. It’s what allows me to work as a doctor. But in 2021, a federal judge halted new DACA applications, which means roughly 100,000 students are now graduating high school every year without the ability to become doctors — or legally enter any other profession. These young people must have a place in our society.
Growing up in America, I was constantly told that with hard work, doors would open for me. That’s only as true as our policies and laws allow. The paths of too many young people are limited. And when we limit potential doctors, teachers and leaders, we limit America’s future.
Dr. Sharjeel Syed is an internal medicine physician in Dallas and will be starting his hematology-oncology fellowship at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston next summer.
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Dallas, TX
$1 million scratch off ticket sold in Dallas
Another North Texan has won $1 million in a Texas Lottery scratch-off game.
The Texas Lottery said Monday that a Dallas resident claimed the third of six million-dollar prizes in the $1,000,000 Crossword scratch-off game.
The ticket was purchased at Buckner Shell, located at 2438 S. Buckner Boulevard, in Dallas.
The winner, who asked to remain anonymous, now falls into the highest federal tax bracket of 37%. After paying $370,000 in federal taxes, they’ll take home $630,000. Texas does not have a state tax on lottery winnings.
The previous two winners in this game came from tickets bought in Wylie on Aug. 19, 2024, and in El Paso on July 15, 2024.
The biggest scratch-off game offered by the Texas Lottery is the $20 Million Supreme, with four grand prizes of $20 million each. Three of those tickets have been claimed, including one in February 2023 in Fort Worth. The other two winners are from Boerne and La Feria. One grand prize ticket remains unclaimed.
Dallas, TX
Dallas Cowboys Stock Watch: Week 18 risers & fallers
The Dallas Cowboys rolled out a roster more reminiscent of a preseason game than a Week 18 lineup, yet they still put up a good fight against the high-powered Washington Commanders.
Multiple players received opportunities they hadn’t gotten earlier in the season and thrived. In what could be the last game with the Cowboys for many players and coaches, there were still several positives to take away from an otherwise disappointing season.
In the Cowboys last game of the season here are the players or coaches who saw their stock rise or fall in week 18.
Dallas Cowboys’ top plays & highlights vs. Commanders Week 18
This is the first time a coach has made this list; however, it took the final game of the season to roll out a playbook that actually played to the strengths of the team. Where was this all season?
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. It wasn’t until the last game that McCarthy finally stopped calling plays out of fear of the results.
The Cowboys offense struggled all season calling simple plays to avoid mistakes and ultimately found very little success. Simply not a good look for McCarthy as he heads into free agency.
Mike McCarthy opens up on future as fate uncertain following Cowboys’ season finale
After many hopeful Cowboys fans anticipated Jake Ferguson would produce another Pro Bowl-caliber season and establish himself as one of the league’s best tight ends, it has become unclear whether he is even the best tight end on the Cowboys.
Ferguson has shown little, if any, improvement over fellow Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker. In the final game, Ferguson managed just two catches for 12 yards on four targets, while Schoonmaker recorded two catches for 16 yards on two targets.
Many fans expected Ferguson to earn a contract extension this offseason, but it’s looking increasingly likely that he may find himself in a new uniform in 2026.
DaRon Bland has not been the All-Pro player he was last year after suffering an injury and missing half the season. Today was perhaps his worst game, as he was frequently targeted and struggled to disrupt the Commanders’ passing attack.
His most glaring mistake came when he gave up the game-winning touchdown to Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin. Ironically, the play may benefit the team in the long run by helping them secure a higher draft pick. Nevertheless, it was a disappointing performance for the 2023 All-Pro.
After the Cowboys’ 2024 season became one to forget midway through, fans begged and pleaded for the team to give former first-round draft pick Trey Lance a chance to showcase his talent.
Their wish was granted in the final game of the season, and Lance did not disappoint. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 244 yards and added six carries for 26 yards.
Lance’s performance was a nostalgic reminder of Dak Prescott’s early years, when the Cowboys’ offensive game plan benefited from having an athletic quarterback. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, this will likely be the last time they play with an athletic quarterback for at least the next two seasons.
Similarly to Trey Lance, Cowboys fans have been eagerly waiting for the team to integrate Deuce Vaughn into the offensive game plan. Vaughn did not disappoint, racking up six carries for 37 yards at an impressive 6.2 yards per carry.
He showcased the explosiveness and versatility that made him one of the most dynamic college football players in recent memory. It was a breath of fresh air to see Vaughn receive meaningful touches in a competitive game, rather than in the context of a blowout loss or win.
Cowboys fans have become accustomed to otherworldly performances from Micah Parsons, to the point where they feel spoiled if he doesn’t put up significant numbers on a game-by-game basis.
However, in a season where the Cowboys often looked uninspired and lacked effort, no one has questioned Parsons’ dedication on the football field. In a game with no real impact on the Cowboys’ 2024 season, Parsons gave it his all, recording two and a half sacks and four total tackles.
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Dallas, TX
Dallas opens temporary inclement weather shelter in Fair Park
DALLAS — As the coldest air of the season moves into North Texas the city of Dallas has activated its temporary inclement weather shelter in Fair Park Sunday night to ensure hundreds of homeless Dallas residents can stay safe and warm.
More than 900 cots were set up inside the Grand Place building in Fair Park Sunday ahead of the arctic blast.
“Every year we see people that have had frostbite, we’ve had several people that we’ve known have passed away due to freezing temperatures it’s really lifesaving and critically important that we make this happen,” said Daniel Roby of the Austin Street Center.
The city of Dallas, the Austin Street Center, Our Calling, and countless other organizations partnered to open this shelter for the city’s most vulnerable. Volunteers will distribute blankets coats and three meals—and pets are welcome too. The SPCA and Dallas Animal Services have provided kennels and pet supplies.
“If you think your animal is a barrier to coming, please don’t. We will take care of you both but please please, please, come inside,” said Christine Crossley, the director of the Office of Homeless Solutions for the City of Dallas.
To make sure homeless residents come in from the cold, the Austin Street Center is operating the connector bus which will provide free transportation to the shelter from designated pick-up points around the city. While Dallas has reported a 19% decrease in homelessness since 2021 the city said there’s more to be done.
“Even though we are one of a handful I think about three municipalities in the nation that is actually decreasing homelessness in a time of national increase, you still don’t ever pat yourself on the back there’s always more work to do there’s always more people to help,” said Crossley.
If you see someone in Dallas in need of shelter, call 311 to get them help or direct them to the shelter located at the Grand Place in Fair Park.
For more information on the Dallas Fair Park shelter click here.
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