National Weekly July 16, 2020

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THURSDAY JULY 16, 2020 JAMAICA

Don't Touch Michael!

Jamaican PM Andrew Holness Faces Backlash Over Negative Comments About Michael Manley

The

by Sheri-Kae McLeod AP Photo

EPICENTER Florida Breaks 300K Mark for Coronavirus

By Terry Spencer & Bobby Caina Calvan Florida passed the 300,000 mark of confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday and reported more than 100 daily deaths for the third time in a week, prompting state Democratic leaders to accuse Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of not acting aggressively enough to stem the virus.

“There is failed leadership in the governor's office,” State Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson said during an online news conference shortly after health officials reported 10,181 new confirmed cases. The new report brings the total number of confirmed cases to 301,810 since the outbreak began in the state March 1.

The state recorded 112 deaths Wednesday, the third time in the past seven days it has reported more than 100—a mark that had only been topped once before last week. The state has now recorded 4,626 COVID-19 deaths.

Florida’s rolling seven-day average for

As of Tuesday, Florida had the No. 2 death rate in the country, slightly behind Texas, which has 25 percent more residents. deaths is now 92 per day, triple the 31 posted a month ago, just before the toll began creeping up and then exploding last week. Hospitals reported Wednesday morning that they are treating 8,276 coronavirus patients, a jump of 84 from Tuesday.

The governor's “hands-off approach is not working,” Gibson said. “He’s losing the war against the pandemic, and that means the people of the state of Florida are losing the war against the pandemic.”

Democratic Sen. Oscar Braynon warned that DeSantis' failure to act could lead to

reclosing the state’s economy, which would prolong the economic misery that has gripped much of the state.

“It’s only going to get worse,” he said.

Republicans outnumber Democrats 23-17 in the Senate.

DeSantis has defended his coronavirus response. He frequently cites his decision in early March to ban nursing home visitations, saying it saved lives compared to New York, where 700 per day were dying in April. He also says his close relationship with President Donald Trump has gotten Florida needed equipment, drugs and support.

Still, he has been criticized for refusing to issue a statewide order requiring masks in public places. He says that should be left to local officials because some counties, such as MiamiDade, are more hard-hit than more rural, lesspopulated counties, which have few cases.

Several counties and cities now require masks.

During a state school board meeting Wednesday, DeSantis reiterated his education

For the average politician, their reputation and career are often marred by corruption, distrust among their people, and political scandals. Few Caribbean politicians have managed to earn a legacy fiercely protected by their nationals and a sternly defended reputation. Former People's National Party (PNP) leader and Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Norman Manley is one such politician.

Last week, Jamaica's incumbent Prime Minister Andrew Holness stirred controversy in making a speech critical of the late Prime Minister, who he seemingly blamed for Jamaica's current economic ills.

Holness, speaking at the launch of the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) Education Fund scholarships on June 9, claimed Jamaica is still paying for ideological missteps of the Manley-led PNP administration from 1972 to 1978. He claimed the post-independence gains made by JLP administrations of the 1960s were continues on B3 Don’t Touch Michael

continues on C4 – The Epicenter

Manley

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yvette d. clarke: fighting for caribbean nationals in the u.s. A3

PRIVY COUNCIL TO HEAR HIGHPROFILE CASE INVOLVING SIMPSON MILLER A4

SOUTH FLORIDA JAMAICAN CENTURION DIES AT 105 B2

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR NATURALIZATION WHEN YOU THE IRS C1

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 –

A3

NEWSMAKER

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke

Fighting for Caribbean Nationals in the U.S. Following the recent announcement by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency that nonimmigrant Caribbean and other students must leave the U.S. if their colleges go fully online, Caribbean American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke strongly criticized the new rule, saying it was not in the best interest of the students.

“The recent decision by ICE and the White House do not prioritize public health nor the education of our next generation of leaders,” Clarke told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“Instead it is just another naked attempt to callously force students to return to campuses in the fall, despite unsafe conditions, allowed to persist, primarily due to a lack of clear executive action,” she added.

On Tuesday, it became apparent that the congresswoman criticism was not in vain.

Responding to collective criticism, including lawsuits filed by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Trump administration announced it had rescinded the planned policy.

Congresswoman Clarke is one of the major critics of President Donald Trump's policies, especially those that directly affect Caribbean immigrants living or working in the United States. As the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, Clarke has worked to serve the members of the Caribbean diaspora in the U.S.,

even long before she was elected to Congress.

Yvette Diane Clarke was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn in 1964, to Lesley Clarke and former City Councilwoman Una Clarke. She graduated from Edward R. Murrow High School and earned a scholarship to enroll at Oberlin College in Ohio, which she attended from 1982 to 1986.

While studying at Oberlin, she spent a summer interning in the Washington, D.C. office of New York Congressman Major Owens, where she told Roll Call she worked on legislative issues involving Caribbean-American trade.

Before entering politics, Clarke worked as a childcare specialist and trained community residents to care for the children of working parents. Later, she was an executive assistant at the New York State Workers' Compensation Board from 1992 to 1993. Clarke also worked as director of business development for the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and was the second director of the Bronx portion of the New York City Empowerment Zone.

In 2001, Brooklyn's 40th council district

elected Clarke to the New York City Council.

She succeeded her mother, former City Council member Una S. T. Clarke, who held the seat for more than a decade, making theirs the first mother-to-daughter succession in the city council. She served for six years before being seeking, and elected, to the U.S. House in 2006.

She represented New York's 11th Congressional District from 2007 to 2013. Due to redistricting, Clarke was moved to New York's 9th Congressional District, which she now represents, in the 2012 general election.

In the U.S. House, Clarke has been outspoken on matters relating to immigration policies, education, and health, especially as it relates to Black women.

She was a frequent critic of the George W. Bush administration's policies, and opposed budget cuts by Bush and the Republican Congress on several programs addressing women's rights and poverty. She later voted against extending provisions of the Patriot Act after the election of President Barack Obama.

In the 116th Congress, which began in January 2019, Congresswoman Clarke introduced landmark legislation, which passed in the House, the Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 6). This legislation would give 2.5 million DREAMERS temporary protected status and deferred enforcement departure recipients a clear pathway to citizenship.

Clarke has also headed several caucuses during her tenure, including the Multicultural Media Caucus to address issues related to the state of diversity and inclusion in the media, telecom and tech industries. She is also one of the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, which develops programs to support the aspirations of Black women of all ages, and the Medicare for All Caucus.

For her dedication to Caribbean nationals living in the United States, Clarke was honored by the Jamaican government in 2018 with the Order Of Distinction in the rank of Commander, for “distinguished contribution in Safeguarding the Interests of Jamaican Nationals in the USA Diaspora on Immigration Matters.”

She is up for re-election to the U.S. House in the November 3 general elections.

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A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020

Patriotic Front Bows Out of T&T General Elections The Patriotic Front (PF) headed by Mickela Panday, daughter of former prime minister Basdeo Panday, Tuesday said that it would no longer contest the 2020 general elections scheduled for August 10.

“I want to reassure you we haven't given up, our journey continues, we look forward to your continued support, to hearing from you, working with you, we thank you so much and God bless,' said Mickela in a message posted on social media.

Late last month, the party had announced that it would have contested all 41 seats in the general election, with the 87-year-old former prime minister, who headed the government between 1995-2001 serving as the campaign manager.

The PF leader said that the “sudden announcement” by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley regarding the date of the general election, had resulted in the party discussing its chances at contesting the 41 seats in the elections.

“Given the overwhelming support, we felt confident that this was an achievable task. From its inception, it has always been the Patriotic Front's policy to bring meaningful representation to the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” said the young Panday, an attorney, and once a legislator with the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) that had been founded by her father.

She said real change could only be achieved by people who must agree to 'work together for a better, safe, productive self-sufficient technologically driven country and it was never the intention to split votes.”

Nomination Day for the general election will be on Friday.

Privy Council To Hear High-Prole Case Involving Simpson Miller The high-profile case involving former senior members of the opposition People's National Party (PNP) including former prime minister Portia Simpson Miller, will come before the London-based Privy Council on March 1, next year.

Jamaica's Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn has confirmed the court date.

“Andrea Martin Swaby, deputy director of public prosecutions, was informed by the lawyers in England and she told me. We have lawyers in England appearing for us,” Llewellyn said.

The Office of the DPP will be appearing as the designated central authority in the matter, acting on behalf of the Dutch authorities.

Simpson Miller and four other senior PNP members are challenging, among other things, a decision by the Jamaican Supreme Court to make an order that Simpson Miller, Phillip Paulwell, Robert Pickersgill, Colin Campbell, and Norton Hinds answer questions in open

Simpson Miller

court from Dutch investigators probing a J$31 million donation to the PNP by the Dutch firm, Trafigura in 2006.

Defense lawyers for the five had argued that the judge erred in his ruling and that his ruling was flawed. They also argued that the individuals cannot be compelled to cooperate with requesting foreign states, that the treaties have to be subjected to Jamaican laws that they

already indicated they know nothing about alleged bribery in respect to Trafigura, and cannot help the Dutch authorities any further.

The order was later upheld by the Appeal Court.

The Dutch authorities want to question the former prime minister and past PNP president and other senior party members who have challenged the ruling to give statements in public.

Under Dutch law, it is illegal for companies to donate to political parties and at the time of the donation Trafigura had an oil-lifting contract with the then PNP administration.

The PNP had said the money was a donation for the pending 2007 general election, but Trafigura later said it was payment on a commercial transaction.

The party later reported that the money was returned.

Caribbean Keeps Low COVID-19 Infection Rates The Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat says the grouping has managed the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to great effect, ensuring its cases have been kept low relative to larger and more affluent parts of the international community.

It said member states have been ranked among the best in the world in their response to the pandemic in many global assessments.

There has been no complacency as they maintain their science-based approach to

containing this virus.

As of July 13, data indicated CARICOM member states and associate members with a combined population of about 19 million, had recorded just over 9,000 positive cases from which almost 5,000 had recovered, with only 220 deaths.

Active cases in 13 CARICOM countries were in single figures, double figures for three, with only one member state above a thousand cases.

CARICOM attributes this success to the coordinated regional approach across the 20member grouping, the swift and deliberate actions taken by its leadership, and the expert guidance and support from its specialized Community Institutions.

The Secretariat noted that regional

governments began their engagement from January when regional interest in the disease first began to develop and continued to collaborate on best approaches to combat the spread, as the first cases reached the region in March.

Regional health ministers began a series of Special Emergency Meetings from February 3 from which a regional protocol establishing minimum standards for dealing with the COVID-19 virus emerged.

This work was guided by the CARICOM Secretariat and the Community Institutions and their international partners led by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and including the CARICOM Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the Regional Security continues on A8 – Low Infection Rates

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 –

A5

Talk UP

Talk UP Should kids be sent back to school this coming August?

Marlene - In regards to the reopening of school for fall, I think with COVID-19 on the rise it's a great concern to send my child out.

The doors will be even more wide open now for the spread of this silent infection. Keeping schools closed will help to irradiate this situation and protect parents, teachers and our community.

Melissa Dunn - From the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic, it has been apparent that children are largely spared. As mysterious as it is, exposing our children to an unknown virus is cruel. Our children depend on our guidance. I support Superintendent Runcie in not compromising the health and safety of our children. Ironically our directives from our government are keeping us from gathering indoors because of the danger of spreading the virus, yet, according to our governor, It's in the best interest of our children to gather in classrooms.

Colleen Gutzmore - The thought of children returning to the classroom in the midst of this Pandemic is terrifying. The well-being of our children is priory and of utmost importance to parents. This is the one time politics does not matter. Children should not be treated as sacrificial lambs for the economy. The emphasis must be ensuring the safety of the students. The pandemic was mild in March when the schools had to resort to virtual learning. Fast forward to August, the pandemic is raging and there are folks that think it's time for children to return to school; I don't think so.

Resnick Hampton - I believe the decision to have kids re-enter the classroom should be made by the parents. If a parent believes in and trusts that the schools will do a good job of protecting their kid(s), I say go for it. At the end of the day, the decision should be voluntary. Until there is a cure for the coronavirus, I think everyone should do what's best for their household.

Dr. Allan Cunningham - Some theorized that there seem to be less kids-to-adults transmissions than adults-to-kids. Kids are not “superspreaders" they claim… really? I believe reopening schools is a dangerous idea no matter which way you look at it.

We are accountable for the decisions that affect our children, not some politician that has no Idea of their welfare. By the way, reversing the decision on International students is a great idea!

Juliet Steadman - The numbers are rising, shouldn't that be enough reason to tell us we are not ready to reopen schools? This is a very complex situation—so many areas to look at. Some parents are going back to work and daycares are still closed.

Some households have elderly people and teachers with underlying issues, some students may even be in homes with the virus. Where do we find the balance? We need more time to iron out every aspect. And of course, I understand that teachers have gained so much more respect because parents got some experience as to what teachers go through all year long, but that is still not enough reason to throw your children to the wolf.

A6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020

Schools Cannot Be Reopened Without Safeguards And Careful Planning I n a series of national controversies, the latest controversy relates to the Trump administration's order to reopen public schools nationally next month.

Several arguments are being postulated by federal officials, and officials in Florida, to have schools reopen despite the continued spread of COVID-19 in several regions of the country.

Recently, in making an argument to reopen schools, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis incongruously said if Home Depot and Walmart can be opened every day to shoppers, then schools can be reopened to students.

This is really a strange statement from Florida's top public official. Students, unlike shoppers, don't attend school for a few hours a day or week.

Students are in schools for an average of six hours daily, five days a week. There is simply no validity in this comparison.

The argument by top federal officials that since schools in countries like Germany, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden have opened despite the COVID-19 pandemic, schools in the U.S. can reopen, is just as invalid.

All these countries referred to have been experiencing extremely lows cases of COVID-19.

Each has recorded less than 400 cases in recent days, while in the U.S. over 60,000 cases per day have been recorded recently. In Florida, MiamiDade and Broward counties have been recording more daily cases of COVID infection than several European countries collectively.

It has been much safer and easier to open schools in these European countries because officials succeeded in controlling the virus, while officials here in the U.S. are yet to do so.

It's also being widely argued by some federal and Florida officials that COVID-19 affects adults more than young children. So, it follows, according to the argument, the risk of students contracting the virus is slim. This does not account for the teaching staff, custodial staff, and other adults who will work in the school setting.

Additionally, there's no empirical scientific evidence that young people aged five to 18 are immune from COVID-19 infection. In fact, the scientific evidence regarding the likely age one can contract the virus is inconclusive. Back in March, when the virus first began to infect Americans, the vulnerable age group was individuals over age 65.

But in the recent increase in infections in several states, there's evidence the virus is infecting people of much younger ages, including teenagers. In Florida, most of the recently reported cases are people in the age group 18 to 37.

Public and other schools In the U.S. closed from early March when the pandemic flared, and have remained closed since. Therefore, there's really no sound argument for claiming the virus won't spread rapidly among students closeted close to each other in classes with teachers every day for each week.

There have been unfortunate incidents in recent weeks were two 11-year-old children have died from the virus in Florida, and last weekend the death of a 5-year-old girl was reported in Michigan.

The pattern of COVID-19 portrays that the virus spreads mostly in crowded situations. Hence the reason health and public officials, globally, stress social distancing, with people generally keeping 6-feet from each other in public places. It's, therefore, possible that if students are mandated to return to crowded classrooms in environments where COVID-19 spread is high, as it is in South, and other regions of Florida, the risks of young students contracting the virus is high.

It's obvious the current surge of the virus in South Florida is the result of community spread, meaning everyone in the community is a potential target to contract the virus, even with strict social distancing, wearing of masks, washing of hands, etc.

Students, teachers, and other school employees will be attending schools coming from homes in the community with a variety of circumstances where the virus could be lurking. It's very easy for the virus could to spread in schools, from schools to homes, and from homes to schools.

With COVID-19 continuing to peak in regions of several states it is reckless and inconsiderate for there to be any federal mandate to open public schools nationally.

The better policy would be to open schools in relation to the spread of the virus in respective school districts. While it may be practical to open schools in school districts in northern Florida where the spread of the virus is much less profound, the same practicality doesn't prevail in South Florida school districts. With COVID-19, one solution does not fit all, either within a state or nationally.

Federal and state officials are urged to refrain from this seemingly authoritarian approach regarding the reopening of schools. Schools can reopen, but only in those districts where there's evidence that the spread of COVID-19 is under control. Moreover, the reopening of schools should be a cooperative team effort of respective officials in each state, including governors, mayors, school superintendents, teachers, parents, and public health officials.

The autocratic approach to reopen public schools is proving counter-productive to arriving at a consensus to their smooth and safe reopening.

Students should only be allowed to return to schools where parents are assured it is safe for them to do so without a high risk of contracting, or taking home the coronavirus.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 –

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A7

A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020

LA SECTION HAITIENNE

Haitian Justice Minister Dismissed track down these criminals because it is revolting and unacceptable,” Délile had said upon his return to the country.

Media reports said that the demonstration had involved heavily armed members of the new coalition of gangs named “G9 and allies.”

Délile has since been replaced by Rockefeller Vincent, the former director of the Unit for the Fight against Corruption, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Journal Le Moniteur.

There has been speculation in the media that Délile's removal is as a result of an internal conflict within the government and the presidency over the recent decision to release a number of prisoners. - CMC

Justice and Public Security Minister, Lucmane Délile, has been dismissed from the cabinet of Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe, a few hours after he had publicly condemned a street demonstration in which armed gangs had participated earlier this week.

“We consider it extremely serious that armed bandits are gaining the streets of the capital to terrorize peaceful citizens. Haiti is not a banana republic where offenders can do whatever they want. I instruct the PNH (National Police) to

COVID-19 Negative Certificate Required For Travelers To Haiti As of Thursday, July 16, 2020, the Haitian government has made it a requirement for any traveler coming from a country where the rate of COVID-19 is high to be pretested and present a certificate of the negative result of this test upon arrival in Haiti.

This is a reversal of a July 2 announcement by Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe, who had said that a negative COVID-19 test certificate would not have been required for foreigners traveling to Haiti for the first 15 days of resumption of the country's international airports.

In a press release, Minister of Public Health Marie Greta Roy Clément explains that following numerous criticisms concerning the reopening of air links with countries experiencing massive cases of COVID-19, the Ministry of Public Health will now require passengers from these countries present a negative PCR test, issued 72 hours before the flight, without however specifying the list of countries concerned.

In addition, Minister Clément specifies that her ministry will authorize the entry into Haiti of passengers declared officially cured (with supporting certificate), 10 days after the disappearance of the symptoms.

The Haitian government is taking stern measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in Haiti. As of Tuesday, July 14, Haiti recorded 6,727 cases of infection with 139 deaths.

Délile

Low Infection Rates System (RSS) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), continues to be a major partner.

As the Ministries of Health steadily built up their own testing capacity, the RSS facilitated the transportation of their samples to CARPHA's Trinidad and Tobago-based testing facilities that uses World Health Organization (WHO) recommended procedures for testing, verification or validation.

The Community's evidence-based response efforts to COVID-19 were heavily underpinned by daily surveillance and modeling from the George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre at the University of the West Indies.

CDEMA, through its long-standing Regional Response Mechanism, has been coordinating the logistical arrangements for critical COVID-19 related supplies. A specialized Core Coordination Cell (for Health), which also includes CARPHA, the CARICOM Secretariat and PAHO was established for this purpose.

In May, as the region began preparing to ease COVID-19 restrictions, CARPHA and CARICOM IMPACS teamed up to train front-line security officers across member states on measures to protect themselves in the line of duty.

from A4

CARICOM IMPACS and the Regional Security System further teamed up to help member states prevent and mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 to prisons and correctional facilities, with air-lifted supplies of sanitary and other COVID-19 related supplies during May and June.

Notably, the region has to date avoided outbreaks of the disease among its prison populations.

Going forward, the Secretariat said the Caribbean Community has been offered access to the African Union Medical Supplies Platform, a procurement system for additional supplies and equipment in the fight against COVID-19. The Platform provides immediate access to an African and global base of vetted manufacturers and procurement strategic partners at more competitive costs.

CARPHA, through its Tourism/Travelers and Health Program, has facilitated training sessions in the critical tourism sector while also using the program to help restore visitor confidence in the Region's tourism product. – CMC

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 –

B1

FEATURE

Record Number Of Caribbean Americans Vying For Elected Ofce In South Florida

by Garth A. Rose and Vonnie Lee Indicative of the growing political influence of Caribbean Americans in South Florida is the record number of Caribbean-American candidates actively vying for several political offices in the region.

In Florida’s August 18 primary elections for U.S. Congressional, state, county, city, judicial, and school board seats, there are 33 CaribbeanAmerican candidates. And for the November general elections, an additional 14 Caribbean Americans will be seeking seats on city commissions and city councils.

The record number of Caribbean Americans running for political office is a major advancement from 1996 when Jamaican American Hazelle Rogers created history as

Florida’s first elected political representative with her election to the City of Lauderdale Lakes Commission.

Rogers, who went on to be elected to the Florida House of Representative, and is currently Mayor of Lauderdale Lakes, paved the way for the election of other Caribbean Americans including Haitian American Yoli Roberson, to the Florida House, and Jamaican Americans George Pedlar, Fitzroy Salesman, Winston Barnes, Dale Holness, Barrington Russell, Astor Knight and Yvonne Garth.

Currently, the city commission of Miramar, home to one of the largest Caribbean-American communities in the U.S., is fully represented by Caribbean Americans: Mayor Wayne Messam, and Commissioners Barnes, Alexandra Davis, Yvette Colbourne and Maxwell Chambers.

Outside of Cuban Americans, Jamaican and

Haitian Americans lead the slate of CaribbeanAmerican candidates this political season.

In the August primary,12 Jamaican Americans and 12 Haitian Americans are actively campaigning to be elected. Additionally, eight Jamaican Americans and five Haitian Americans will be seeking to be elected in November.

Among this crop of candidates are some prominent figures or those who are in highprofile races. For example, Jamaican American Andrew Smalling is in a high-profile race for Broward Sheriff. He goes up against front runners, incumbent Sheriff Gregory Tony and former Broward Sheriff Scott Israel. Smalling, who as a part of BSO served as Lauderdale Lakes Police Chief and later as Lauderhill Police Chief, has an uphill climb in what is shaping up to be a two-man race between Tony and Israel.

Another high-profile race is for the position of Broward County Public Defender. Barbadian American Gordon Weekes is among five candidates seeking to represent District 17 in this capacity. The Public Defender’s office, which serves mostly blacks and other minorities, could benefit from a candidate who understands them better, retiring Public Defender Howard Finklestein was quoted saying. Weekes was appointed as Chief Assistant Public Defender in charge of the Juvenile Division, in which he dramatically reduced the number of youth in the system, tackling abusive practices in juvenile jails.

Rep. Anika Omphroy is seeking reelection to the Florida House for a second term representing District 95 in Broward County.

Omphroy, a Democrat, was in April appointed to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Reopen Florida Task Force continues on C4 – Vying for ofce

Alexandria Ayala

Andrew Smalling

Anika Omphroy

Dennis Hinds

Elvis Caines

Daphne Campbell

Dale Holness

Jeff Holness

Jennifer Andreu

Karlene Maxwell Williams

Ketley Joachim

Marlon Hill

Ashira Mohammed

Patrick Jabouin, Sr.

Dotie Joseph

Ann Marie Sorrell

Gordon Weekes

Carla Spalding

Christina Eveillard

Christopher Benjamin

Georges Boussous

Gepsie Metellus

Hazelle Rogers

Jacqueline Guzman-Scott

Jennifer Jones

Jessica Laguerre Hylton

Joan Anthony

Judge Ian Richards

Judge Phoebee Francois

Lavern Deer

Linda Julien

Marie Flore Lindor-Latortue

Marie Woodson

Mark Douglas

Marlon Bolton

Melba Pearson

Melissa Dunn

Michelle Jones

Nadia Assad

Nancy Metayer

Narnike Pierre-Grant

Francis Ragoo

Shevrin Jones

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Stephanie Thomas

Steven Mesa

Tisa McGhee

B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020

ADVERTORIAL

Message To Immigrant Families During The COVID-19 Pandemic COVID-19 has hit communities of color the hardest, including immigrant families.

You need to be aware of programs you may be eligible for right now, including health care, cash assistance, food assistance, and unemployment insurance.

1) Immigration officials clarified that everyone can seek testing, prevention, and treatment for COVID-19 without fear of immigration consequences.

2) You can still see a doctor without medical insurance. If you don't have a doctor, call a local community health center for assistance. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov

3) If everyone in your tax household has a social security number and you earn less than $75,000 per year, you may be eligible for a onetime cash payment of $1,200 per adult and

$500 per child.

4) The CARES Act expands unemployment insurance to include independent contractors and to last longer but you still need to have permission to work in the U.S. 5) Pandemic EBT is a new nutrition assistance program that allows states to provide meal-replacement benefits of about $114 per child per month for families who have lost access to free or reduced-price school meals. It's available now in over 40 states to anyone eligible, regardless of your immigration status.

6) If you receive the stimulus payment, unemployment insurance, COVID-19 testing and treatment, or Pandemic-EBT, it will not count against you in a public charge test. That means that applying for these programs will not negatively impact your ability to get a green card in the future.

public health crisis, go to www.protectingimmigrantfamilies.org. There may also be state or local relief provided to you and your family. Talk to your local service provider for more information at: https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/nonprofit/le galdirectory/.

This advisory was sponsored by Protecting Immigrant Families, a national campaign to protect and defend access to health care, nutrition programs, public services, and economic supports for immigrants and their families at the local, state, and federal level.

For a quick reference guide on who is eligible for federal public programs during the COVID-19

South Florida Jamaican Centurion Dies At 105

by Garth A. Rose Ivy Peat, one of the oldest members of the Jamaican community in South Florida passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, at age 105, just two months shy of her 106th birthday.

One of her several grandchildren, Donna Davis, told CNW that “Miss Ivy,” as Peat was affectionally known to friends and relatives, lived a “healthy and strong” life despite her increasing age. However, her health recently “slipped” following hip surgery she had earlier this year.

“Up to early last week, she was still hearty, in good spirits and her voice strong, but as the

week progressed, we noticed her voice getting weaker, and she seemed listless. We suspected she was traveling (dying). So it was. After we prepared her for bed last Friday evening, she slept away peacefully,” Donna accounted.

Donna said a testament to Peat's good health was that she was a “stubborn” smoker, always bumming a cigarette when she could no longer buy cigarettes herself, but defied scientific proof that smoking is bad for one's health. “She lived healthy. She had no diabetes, heart problem, or high blood pressure, common to older people.”

Ivy Peat was born in St. Mary, Jamaica in 1914. She lived in Jamaica most of her life. She

was married and bore seven children. Her husband, and eldest child, a son, predeceased her.

She migrated to South Florida some 20 years ago and lived with a daughter, Salome, and her family in Plantation, Florida.

She is survived by three sons and three daughters, and several grand-, great-, and great-great-grandchildren, “too numerous to remember how many,“ according to Donna.

Memorial services for Ivy Peat will be held on August 1, at the New Testament Church of God in the City of Lauderhill.

Peat

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 –

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Lawsuit Seeks to Block Judge Renatha Francis From Florida's Supreme Court In May when Jamaican-born Palm Beach Circuit Court Judge Renatha Francis was appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the First Caribbean-American appointed to the Florida Supreme Court, there was much pride among the Jamaican-American community pertaining to her judicial elevation, and praise for DeSantis having giving recognition to Florida's Caribbean community.

However, Judge Francis may not be able to take her seat on the state's Supreme Court bench if a lawsuit challenging the governor's appointment succeeds.

The lawsuit filed by Rep. Geraldine Thompson, Democrat of Windermere, claims Francis is ineligible to be appointed to the Court because she did not meet the required criteria when DeSantis appointed her.

According to Florida's Constitution, to be appointed to the Supreme Court, a judge must have served 10 years as a member of the Florida Bar. Judge Francis has not yet completed her 10th year but will do so on September 24 this year,

when she is scheduled to take her seat on the bench.

“The plain and unambiguous language of the Florida Constitution requires that an individual satisfy that requirement prior to being eligible for appointment,” claimed Thompson in the lawsuit, according to a report in the Tampa Times.

Should Francis prevail the lawsuit, she would become not only the first Jamaican to serve on the Florida Supreme Court, but the first Black justice since Peggy Quince retired early last year and would also be the only woman on the court.

The lawsuit also argues the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission “exceeded the limits of its authority” by including Francis' name on a list of nine nominees sent to DeSantis in January.

According to the report, Thompson's attorneys claimed in the lawsuit filed in the Florida Supreme Court that there were 32 initial applicants for the two Supreme Court posts. These included several Black or Caribbean-American applicants. All the applicants for the exception of

Don’t Touch Michael! wasted by “the misadventure of the PNP (under Manley) which diverted Jamaica from the path of economic growth, selling the people of Jamaica false hope and unrealistic dreams.”

Holness also said: “We had a flirtation with ideologies that were foreign to us and did not serve us well. With all the social problems that needed to be addressed, had we stayed the economic course and ensured that our economy was aligned to the opportunities that were created by the industrial transformations that were taking place, Jamaica would be a better place today.”

The JLP leader also pointed to the economic successes of Singapore and South Korea, noting they were previously worse off than Jamaica but did well because they were not distracted.

For his comments, Holness received

Francis had been members of the Florida Bar for the requisite 10-year period when they applied.

The lawsuit also stipulated: “Under the Supreme Court's rules, the nominating commission cannot recommend appointees to the governor unless the commission finds that the nominee meets all constitutional and statutory requirements to serve as a justice.

“There is nothing in the Florida Constitution or the JNC (judicial nominating commission) rules which provide the JNC with authority to nominate an individual for potential appointment to the Supreme Court where that individual may become eligible for that position on some future date.”

Furthermore, according to the lawsuit, The JNC “clearly lacked the authority to certify an individual for consideration where that individual could not meet the constitutional requirements to be a justice on the Florida Supreme Court until approximately six months after that mandatory 60-day time period expired.”

The petition asked the Supreme Court to issue

what is known as a writ of quo warranto “concluding that the JNC exceeded its legal authority by including Judge Francis on the list of certified nominees.”

The lawsuit also asks the court to order the JNC “to immediately provide” DeSantis with a new list of nominees and asks that the JNC “strongly consider including for consideration the six fully qualified African-American candidates who applied for the vacancies in this case.”

This latter comment provoked criticism by some Caribbean-Americans in South Florida that Thompson's lawsuit could be rooted in antiCaribbean-American sentiment.

But as a rebuff to this criticism, Thompson's attorneys wrote in the lawsuit, that “It is deeply disturbing that there are currently no AfricanAmerican, Caribbean-American, or female members on the Supreme Court. The petitioner believes that diversity is vital to the fair administration of justice, promotes a broader understanding of legal issues, and instills public confidence in the legal system.”

policies initiated by Manley into the current JLP administration—while criticizing him. Others cited Manley's revolutionary social policies that provided opportunities for 'ordinary' Jamaicans.

And, several posts from women cited more women and working-class citizens were able to raise their standards of living under Manley's tenure.

Members of the PNP, not surprisingly, slammed Holness for “attempting to rewrite Jamaica's history.” PNP Secretary, Julian Robinson noted that the policies by the PNP administration of the 1970s leveled the playing field for thousands of marginalized Jamaicans, including Holness himself.

However, the diaspora also consists of strong Manley critics who claimed Manley “ruined Jamaica with his socialist experiment,”

and blamed him for the “massive migration of Jamaicans from Jamaica” in the 1970s.

Nonetheless, despite the criticisms against Manley for what some saw as his shortcomings, based on the response to Holness' speech, most of the social media posts seemed in agreement that Manley arguably oversaw the widest transformation of Jamaica's socio-economic development.

Interestingly, as another general election draws close in Jamaica, it's obvious neither political party can use Manley's political successes or failures as a campaign strategy. For good or bad, Manley remains a political legend, and as one tweet said, it's best not to “touch him.”

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widescale backlash from Jamaicans at home and across the diaspora, who accused him of political pandering, saying he was ignorant of Manley's significant contributions to Jamaica.

During his tenure as prime minister, Manley implemented several significant social policies and programs that transformed the livelihood of the average Jamaican. These included employee share ownership and participation; housing financed through the creation of the National Housing Trust (NHT); introduction of a levy on bauxite mining; foreign exchange liberalization; a national literacy program (JAMAL); maternity leave for women; rights for children born out of wedlock; free education for high school and college students, among other programs.

Several social media postings from among the diaspora accused Holness of adapting

Young people were drastically undercounted in the 2010 U.S Census—which missed more than 1 in 10 children under the age of ve. In Broward County alone, we lost over $210 million dollars of federal funding because of people undercount.

Especially children.

When we fail to count children, the programs that support their wellbeing—such as childcare, schools, health insurance, housing, and public transportation — lose out on needed funds for the next 10 years, an entire childhood. So, be counted!

Make sure everyone in your family is counted. You count!

We all count!

Children’s Services Council of Broward County 6600 West Commercial Blvd., Lauderhill, FL 33319 Tel: 954.377.1000 Email: infor@cscbroward.org www.cscbroward.gov This message brought to you by the Children's Services Council of Broward County”.

B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 A D V E R T I S E M E N T

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR M. A. MILAM K-8 CENTER The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida (Board), intends to award one Construction firm for the following General Obligation Bond (GOB) project:

PROJECT NO. 01423600 M. A. MILAM K-8 CENTER NEW ADDITION & P.E. SHELTER REPLACEMENT 6020 WEST 16TH AVENUE HIALEAH, FLORIDA 33012 BIDS DUE: Sealed bids will be received by The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, for the project listed herein, until 1:00 P.M. local time, Thursday, August 27, 2020 at the M-DCPS Stores and Mail Distribution Main Office located at 7001 S.W. 4 Street, Miami, Florida 33144, following which time and place, or as soon there-after as the Board can attend to the same, the said bids will be publicly opened, read and tabulated at the same location, by an authorized representative of the Board. Award of the contract will be made to the lowest, pre-qualified responsible and responsive bidder for the actual amount bid considering base bid and accepted alternates (if any) as listed in the bidding documents. The Board will award the contract based upon the results of the tabulations as covered by applicable laws and regulations.

Bidders desiring to participate in this solicitation must be pre-qualified by the Board prior to submitting their bid in response to this solicitation. Contact the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Office of Economic Opportunity at (305) 995-1307 or via email at oeo@dadeschools.net for information regarding Contractors' Pre-qualification procedures.

QUESTIONS: Written questions regarding this project will be accepted. All written communications must be sent to the Project Architect/Engineer, Andrew Silva (AndrewSilva@Silvaarc.com), Silva Architects LLC; 135 San Lorenzo Avenue, Suite 880, Coral Gables, Florida 33146.

Questions will be accepted until 5:00 pm on Friday, August 7, 2020. Answers will only be issued to the Prime Contractors who attended the mandatory Pre-bid Conference.

MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE (M. A. Milam K-8 Center): Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at M. A. Milam K-8 Center, 6020 WEST 16th Avenue, Hialeah, Florida 33012. Due to site gathering limitations, any Prime Contractor who would like to attend is strongly encouraged to submit an email request to Silva Architects (see instructions below) to do so, and will be scheduled in the order of when said request is received. There will be up to four sessions scheduled (based on quantity of requests): Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:15 AM Session 2: 10:30 AM to 12:15 PM Session 3: 1:00 PM to 2:45 PM (as needed-subject to change) Session 4: 3:00 PM to 4:45 PM (as needed-subject to change) Each session will be restricted to one representative from Prime Contracting firms only, limiting each group to a maximum of seven potential bidders for each of the proposed conferences. All attendees must always wear face masks and maintain a minimum of 6 feet distance from all other persons. Gloves are optional but recommended.

There will be a sign-in period for each session of 15 minutes from the start time scheduled. Potential bidders arriving after the 15-minute sign-in period (of the final scheduled session) will not be allowed to participate in this solicitation. Prime Contractors without a reservation who arrive prior to the end of the 15-minute sign-in period of the final session will be accommodated at the discretion of the Project Team, on the same day. Proposals submitted by firms not represented at the Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will not be considered.

SUBMITTING REQUEST TO ATTEND PRE-BID CONFERENCE: All Prime Contractors wishing to attend are strongly encouraged to submit an e-mail to Silva Architects (AndrewSilva@Silvaarc.com) confirming their attendance no later than Monday July 27, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. A Pre-Bid Conference reservation email containing a scheduled time will be sent by the Project Architect/Engineer, to each potential attendee, no later than Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Reservations received after July 27, 2020 will be accommodated at the Project Team's discretion.

Prime contractors' will be instructed at each session of the procedure to schedule any additional site visits and/or walkthroughs as needed.

Please note that the District and Silva Architects are adhering to all CDC and DOH COVID-19 recommendations by limiting the number of persons at a site to a maximum of ten persons at any one time (Project Architect/Engineer, Project Manager, a school representative to facilitate opening of the site, and seven Prime Contractors), and requiring the use of Personal Protection Equipment.

BOARD POLICIES: Cone of Silence A Cone of Silence, pursuant to Board Policy 6325, shall commence with the issuance of this Legal Advertisement and shall terminate at the time the item is presented by the Superintendent to the appropriate Board committee immediately prior to the Board meeting at which the Board will award or approve a contract, reject all bids or responses, or take any other action that ends the solicitation and review process. Any violation of this rule shall be investigated by the Board's Inspector General and shall result in the disqualification of the potential applicant from the competitive solicitation process, rejection of any recommendation for award, or the revocation of an award to the vendor as being void, rendering void any previous or prior awards. The potential vendor or vendor's representative determined to have violated this rule, shall be subject to debarment.

General questions regarding the legal advertisement will be sent to the Office of Capital Improvement Projects via email at ocip@dadeschools.net, and a copy filed with the Clerk of the School Board at celiarubio@dadeschools.net, who shall make copies available to the public upon request.

Lobbyist Lobbyist requirements, pursuant to Board Policy 8150, shall be applicable to this solicitation and all proposers and lobbyists shall strictly conform to, and be governed by, the requirements set forth therein. Contact the Clerk of the School Board for additional information.

Vendor and Employment Preference Local-Vendor Preference, pursuant to Board Policy 6320.05, shall apply to this solicitation. Based on Board policy, Local Business means a vendor or business that has a valid business tax receipt, issued by a jurisdiction located in Miami-Dade County, that has either (1) its headquarters, manufacturing facility, or locally-owned franchise located within the legal boundaries of Miami Dade County, for at least twelve (12) months, or (2) has an office with a street address within the boundaries of Miami-Dade County for at least twenty-four (24) months, calculated from the bid or proposal opening date. Post office boxes are not verifiable and shall not be used for the purpose of establishing said physical address. In order to be considered for local preference, vendors must provide a copy of their business tax receipt and the Local Business Affidavit of Eligibility with their proposal. Proposers who fail to submit the required documents will not be considered for Vendor Preference.

Jessica Lunsford Act The successful proposer(s) shall fully comply with the State of Florida's House Bill 1877 “Jessica Lunsford Act” (JLA); FS 1012.465, 1012.32, 1012.467 & 1012.468 and Board Policy 4121.01, Employment Standards and Fingerprinting of all Employees (also refer to Board Policy 8475).

Ethics, Conflict of Interest and Anti-Fraud Proposers responding to this solicitation shall comply with the following ethics, conflict of interest and anti-fraud policies: - Board Policy 6460, Business Code of Ethics; - Board Policy 6460, Disclosure of Employment of Former School Board Employees; - Board Policy 8700, Anti-Fraud; and all related Board policies and procedures, as applicable Contractor Debarment Procedures Pursuant to Board Policy 6320.04, Contractor Discipline Procedures, debarred contractors are excluded from conducting business with the Board as agents, representatives, partners, and associates of other contractors, subcontractors or individual sureties.

Commercial Anti-discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion Proposers responding to this solicitation shall comply with the following anti-discrimination policies: - Board Policy 6465, Commercial Anti-discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion (proposers shall be required to certify compliance with Board Policy 6465); - Board Policy 1362.02, 3362.02 and 4362.02, Anti-discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedure; and - all related Board policies and procedures, as applicable Protest Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed and in the manner specified in Board Policy 6320 (Purchase Approval and Competitive Bidding Process Requirements) or in accordance with FS Section 120.57(3) shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under FS Chapter 120.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The proposer acknowledges that all information contained in their RFQ Response is part of public domain as defined by the State of Florida Sunshine Law. Therefore, any information received is subject to public inspection and copying in accordance with FS 119. No action on the part of the proposer would create an obligation of confidentiality on the part of the School Board including, but not limited to, making a reference in the RFQ Response to trade secrets FS 812.081 and 815.045. It is recommended that potential proposers exclude from their response any information that, in their judgment, may be considered a trade secret.

Board policies, as amended from time to time, can be accessed and downloaded at: https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/sbmd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BK6KUF4FFE14.

The successful proposer(s) shall fully comply with the State of Florida's House Bill 1877 “Jessica Lunsford Act” (JLA); FS 1012.465, 1012.32, 1012.467 & 1012.468 and Board Policy 4121.01, Employment Standards and Fingerprinting of all. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed and in the manner specified in Board Policy 6320 or in accordance with §120.57(3). Fla. Stat. (2014) shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

Pre-qualified bidders may obtain a CD of the documents for construction or a full set of printed documents for construction at the bidder's expense from the office of Go Green Document Solutions, Inc. on 3715 Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 on and after, July 13, 2020.

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY Small/Micro, Minority/Women-Owned, and Veteran Business Enterprise Programs, Board Policy 6320.02 Awarded firms will be required to comply with Board Policy 6320.02 and submit a monthly report via the Online Diversity Compliance System for compliance with Small/Micro, Minority/Women and/or Veteran sub-consultant goals, sub-contractor goals, local workforce information, and/or any affirmative procurement initiatives. Awarded firms will be required to submit monthly compliance reports online at: http://miamidadeschools.diversitycompliance.com. Please note that the “Small/Micro Business Enterprise Program Administrative Procedures Manual”, Board-approved June 20, 2018, shall be applicable to this solicitation. Please contact the Office of Economic Opportunity at 305-995-1307 or via email at OEO@dadeschools.net for additional information.

Assistance levels, as established by the Goal Setting Committee: M. A. Milam K-8 Center: S/MBE Mandatory Subcontracting Goals: 11.81% Construction and 20% Local Work Force, within a County-wide radius.

Mandatory M/WBE Subcontracting Goals: 8.19%- African American, Native American and Asian American firms.

The Board reserves the right to waive informalities and to reject any and all bids.

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Alberto M. Carvalho Superintendent of Schools

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 –

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Understanding How to Qualify For Naturalization When You Owe IRS Taxes Step#5 Prepare to File for Naturalization!

By Attorney Caroly Pedersen

Once you have your Installment plan and have made a few months (3-6 months) of regular payments, you should be ready to file for naturalization. Once the time comes, you will want to contact the IRS and request:

Many U.S. Residents (Green Card holders) who owe taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mistakenly believe that they are not eligible to obtain U.S. Citizenship, when in fact, most Residents who owe taxes actually remain eligible to apply for naturalization, as long as they meet certain criteria.

The key to successful naturalization for those who owe IRS taxes is in following several basic steps. For background, one of the most important requirements to qualify for U.S. citizenship is to show that you have had "good moral character" in the immediate five years preceding the naturalization application filing (past three years for early naturalization based upon marriage to a U.S. Citizen). Issues that have the most impact on “good moral character” include an individual's criminal background, payment of child support and payment of taxes.

Many criminal convictions occurring during the “good moral character” period often result in ineligibility. As a general rule, it's best to wait until at least five years (or three years in the case of early naturalization) have passed since the date of the conviction or completion of probation (whichever is later). For child support, providing documentary proof of continuing payments for child support arrearages, along with proof of current child support payments will often result in Naturalization approval.

When it comes to the issue of IRS taxes, many individuals owe back taxes either because they could not afford to pay for the previous year's taxes or because of a mistake on their past taxes.

Worse yet, the fear of owing back taxes often causes taxpayers to avoid filing a required tax return, which then puts them further and further behind. The best approach is to file all required taxes for previous years and enter into an agreement with the IRS for payment of back taxes owed. Here is what you need to do:

Step#1 File Your Taxes: If you have failed to file any tax returns for past years in which you were required to file, the first step is to file all delinquent tax returns now. This is required before applying for a payment agreement with the IRS. You should likely get the advice and assistance of an accountant during this process, which costs much less than many imagine. The IRS will then send you a bill stating the taxes owed.

1) Tax and Wage Transcripts: for the past five years (three years for early naturalization) showing your official taxes filed with the IRS; 2) Payment Transcript: to show all your Installment Agreement payments to date in order to provide documentary proof to the USCIS.

Step#6 File for Naturalization!

Step#2 Set Up a Payment Plan With the IRS: The only way to naturalize when you owe back taxes is to enter into a payment plan or installment agreement with the IRS. To do that, you should call the IRS and explain that you owe taxes and want to set up a payment plan and need a formal installment agreement that states the entire amount owed and for which years. Agents are often very understanding and willing to work with you and set the monthly payments as low as possible. Be sure to explain any extenuating circumstances, which negatively affect your income and ability to pay, for instance, any large financial expenditures for medical or other expenses.

Step#3 Set up Automatic Payments: Request that the IRS agent set up automatic debits from your bank account. This is the absolute best way to ensure that your monthly IRS installment payments are made on time and the best documentary evidence to prove to the USCIS that you have been making systematic, timely payments on your taxes.

The agent will usually ask you what day of the month you want the debit payment made.

Step#4 Make Your Payments: Make sure that you have enough funds in your bank account each month for your scheduled payments. Save copies of your bank statements each month and mark IRS payments in yellow highlight.

Prepare your Naturalization application and file all required documentation, along with a copy of your: 1) Tax and Wage Transcripts: for the past five years (three years for early naturalization) 2) Payment Transcripts showing all your Installment Agreement payments to date 3) Installment Agreement and 4) Bank Statements with highlights showing all payments made.

Once your Naturalization interview is scheduled, you will also want to request an updated payment transcript from the IRS to show all your payments from the date of filing your application until the interview, and bring that along with updated bank statements with highlights showing all payments made while your Naturalization case was processing.

Special note: In cases where a Resident failed to file tax returns in previous years, it is always best to prepare a written, signed statement explaining the circumstances of the failure to file, including any financial or family issues which prevented the timely filing and a statement of regret or remorse for the failure.

We successfully assisted Residents who owe back taxes in obtaining Naturalization! Give us a call and schedule a free consultation. Be sure to bring all the IRS tax letters you received and your past five years tax returns so we can go over your case carefully to determine the best approach to achieving your Naturalization.

C2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 A D V E R T I S E M E N T

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 –

USCIS Running Out Of Funds Plans To Charge 10 Percent Extra Fee For All New Immigration Applications As a result of a massive decrease in revenues, caused by the coronavirus pandemic and President Trump's immigration ban, the USCIS is running out of funds to operate and may not make it through the summer.

USCIS estimates that immigration application revenues will drop by some 61 percent through the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2020). To mitigate the budget shortfall, the USCIS recently requested a $1.2 billion bailout from Congress due to the lost revenues and is further proposing a 10 percent surcharge on application fees. That would likely mean that a Residency application which now costs $1,760, may soon cost $1,936. Naturalization fees which are now $725 could near $800.

Amid reports that the agency intends to implement “drastic actions” to cut expenses, including workforce furloughs, many USCIS employees fear job loss in the coming months.

The fate of the agency could soon become even more dire, if President Trump follows through on plans to suspend the issuance of new H-1B work visas and H-2B visas for seasonal non-agricultural workers, and terminate the OPT program which allows foreign students to work in the U.S. following graduation, and result in revenues plunging even further.

No date has been announced for the increase in fees through the surcharge, so the best advice is to avoid delay and file your immigration applications now.

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USCIS Provides 60-Day Extension To File Responses To Immigration Requests As a result of COVID-19, the USCIS has once again issued a notice which extends the time allowed for applicants and petitioners to respond to letters and notices issued by the agency on pending cases. Under the new policy, an additional 60 calendar days from the deadline date will be given to petitioners and applicants to submit a response to a request or notice issued from March 1st through September 11, 2020, this includes: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Ÿ

Requests for Evidence Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14) Notices of Intent to Deny Notices of Intent to Revoke Notices of Intent to Rescind and Notices of Intent to Terminate regional investment centers Filing date requirements for Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings and Filing date requirements for Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.

For example, if a USCIS letter is dated March 1, 2020, and has a deadline date of 87 days, due on May 26, 2020, the new deadline for the response will be July 24, 2020.

It is important to note, that responses must be received on or before the deadline, not just postmarked by the deadline date. Also, responses to request for additional evidence should always be mailed in one package, not in multiple response filings, since once the USCIS receives the first response, the officer will usually make a decision based upon that response, not anything received later.

Finally, always send responses, appeals, motions via Fed-Ex or another mail service, overnight.

C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020

CONTINUATIONS

The Epicenter

Vying For Ofce

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commissioner's decision to reopen Florida's schools next month, saying children are highly unlikely to become seriously ill from coronavirus and don't frequently pass the virus to others.

He did say that precautions need to be taken to protect teachers and other adult staff, and that online classes need to remain available for children whose parents want them to stay home. Florida's schools closed in mid-March.

“It would be foolish not to listen to the parents,” the governor said.

The Democrats called on DeSantis to not push for schools to reopen.

“We cannot even control an outbreak of lice in our schools, so how are we going to control not spreading this virus?” Sen. Janet Cruz asked.

Meanwhile, some hospitals say they are running out of beds, particularly in South Florida. Dr. Nicholas Namias, chief of trauma and surgical care at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, one of the state's largest, said converting regular rooms into COVID-19 rooms requires them to have negative airflow to prevent the virus's spread. Barring that, hospitals at least need to have the capability to isolate patients.

“We’re getting to the point where it’s going to be full," Namias said. "We have gridlock and we won’t be able to take patients and they’ll just be stacked in the ERs.” Also Wednesday, Walt Disney World reopened its Epcot and Hollywood Studios theme parks. Disney's Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopened Saturday. The parks were the last of Orlando’s major parks to reopen after being shuttered since March. Both Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando opened last month.

All parks are capping attendance, requiring reservations and checking the temperatures of all employees and guests. Masks are being required.

Calvan reported from Tallahassee. Associated Press reporters Cody Jackson in Palm Beach Gardens, and Mike Schneider in Orlando, contributed to this report.

to help with strategies for reopening amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attorney Marlon Hill, a staple “servant leader” in the Caribbean community, is running for Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 9. The Jamaican American, who is celebrated as a business and professional leader, said he wants “...to elevate what I have been doing for years on a different platform. My primary role in this campaign process will be to listen and learn from the residents of South Miami Dade County, and to help magnify their voices and needs to the hallways of county government.”

Ann Marie Sorrell, a Jamaican American author, philanthropist and award-winning business leader, is seeking election to Group 2 of Palm Beach County’s Soil and Water Conservation Board. Sorrel has done great work across the TriCounty area, focusing on matters such as social justice, economic development as well as issues that impact women and minorities.

A staunch advocate and activist for women and girls, Lavern Deer is campaigning for mayor of Miami Gardens. The Jamaican American, who founded the Female Development World Organization Inc. (FDWO), has been focused on education, health, social development as well as ending the abuse of girls and young women, especially in socioeconomically challenged communities. Deer is a Human Trafficking Expert who has worked with Florida legislators to propose language for the Human Trafficking Education in Schools Bill.

Former Senator Daphne Campbell, a Haitian American, is seeking a new Florida Senate seat—District 35. As a former Florida state representative and senator for District 38, Campbell earned a reputation for getting things done. While in office, she passed some 40 bills which include waiving college fees for post-secondary students and facilitating smooth reintegration of convicts back into society among others. A registered nurse by profession, Campbell is passionate about representing the voiceless, focusing on the disabled and the needs of working-class families and vulnerable communities.

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Jamaican American Candidates Other Jamaican Americans running in the August 18 primary are: Carla Spalding, a Republican candidate challenging incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz for her U.S. congressional seat in District 23; Dennis Hinds to the Florida House to represent District 102; Dale Holness,

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currently Broward County’s mayor, is seeking reelection to the Broward County Commission, District 9; Judge Ian Richards is vying for a seat as a Broward County judge; attorney Joan Anthony is running for Circuit Court Judge in Broward’s 7th Judicial Circuit; Elizabeth Burns is running for a seat on the City of Pembroke Pines Commission and Dr. Jeff Holness, who is seeking election to the Broward County School Board.

Haitian American Candidates Leading the charge for the Haitian-American contingent of candidates is Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick who is challenging incumbent U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings for his District 20 congressional seat, including parts of Palm Beach and Broward County. Additionally, Dotie Joseph and Georges Boussous, Jr. are competing against each other to be elected to the Florida House representing District 108; Marie Woodson and Jessica Laguerre Hylton, representing Florida House Districts 101 and 117, respectively; Phoebee Francois is seeking to retain her seat as a Broward County Judge in Group 27; Gepsie Metellus is running for Miami-Dade Commission, District 3; Stephanie Thomas is seeking a seat on the City of Miami Commission, District 5; Linda Julien is a candidate for City of Miami Gardens Council, Seat 5; Marie Flore LindorLatortue, Miami-Dade School Board; and Narniki “Nikki” Pierre-Grant is seeking election to the Broward School Board.

Other Caribbean American Candidates Attorney Melba Pearson, who has both Trinidadian and Jamaican heritage, is challenging Florida State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle to take over that position in Circuit 11 in Miami-Dade County.

Two Kittitian (St. Kitts & Nevis) Americans, Attorney Christopher Benjamin and Elvis “Austin” Caines are seeking office to be elected to the Florida House, District 107 and Seat 1 on the Miami Gardens City Council, respectively.

In Miami-Dade County, three Trinidadian Americans are vying for political office: Ashira Mohammad to the Florida House in District 101; Tisa McGhee to the Miami-Dade Commission, District 3 and Francis Ragoo to the City of Miami Gardens Council, Seat 5.

Bahamian American Shevrin Jones is seeking election to the Florida Senate representing District 35; and rounding out the Caribbean American candidates in this election cycle is Puerto Rican Alexandria Ayala, who is seeking to be elected to the Palm Beach School Board representing District 2.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 –

Bob Marley's Classic 'One Love' Re-released To Help Children Affected by COVID-19 The iconic Bob Marley song “One Love” is to be re-released with the blessing of the musician's family to support children whose lives have been upended by coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

On July 9, the UN announced the fundraising initiative comes as the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned an additional 6,000 children could die every day from preventable causes in the next six months.

“Almost all of them live in developing countries, where the coronavirus pandemic has placed additional strain on already fragile health systems and basic services.”

Issued in 1977 by the legendary Bob Marley and the Wailers, with a call for unity and to tackle the suffering of children, a new version of the much-loved reggae anthem goes on sale on July 17.

The new version features members of the Marley family: Stephen, Cedella, and Skip Marley, with guest appearances from worldrenowned musicians, artists from conflict zones, and children from vulnerable communities.

“Over 40 years ago, my father wrote 'One Love' about unity, peace and universal love during a time when there was much trouble in the world,” said Cedella Marley. “Even in a time when we aren't able to 'get together,' his message remains true today: we can get through this global crisis if we come together through one love and one heart.”

The UN said the project also has the support of the jewelry brand Pandora, which has pledged to match every dollar raised to purchase “One Love,” up to the value of US$1

million. All proceeds will support Reimagine, UNICEF's global campaign to prevent the COVID-19 emergency from becoming a lasting crisis for children.

“One Love speaks directly to one key truth about this pandemic: our best hope to defeat COVID-19 and to reimagine a more equal, less discriminatory world for children is through global solidarity and co-operation,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

“We are delighted that the Marley family, along with Pandora, have lent their generous support, creativity and love to help the most vulnerable children,” she added.

In addition to the immediate health impact of COVID-19 on children and their families, UNICEF has warned that youngsters have been affected indirectly, too, through school closures, food shortages, limited access to basic healthcare, and disruptions to medical supply chains.

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Buju Banton Receives RIAA Gold Album for Til Shiloh Ahead of 25th Anniversary Reggae icon Buju Banton on Thursday officially received the RIAA Gold album for his “boundary-shattering masterpiece,” ‘Til Shiloh, just one day after the artist celebrated his 47th birthday, and two days ahead of the 25th Anniversary of the 1995 album.

Described by The New York Times as “an extraordinarily intense performer, and a surprisingly versatile one” and by Pitchfork as “the quintessential dancehall artist,” there is no living artist more crucial to Jamaican music. And ‘Til Shiloh, which explored Banton’s Rastafarian faith on highlights like “‘Til I’m Laid to Rest,” “Untold Stories,” “Not An Easy Road,” and fan favorites “Murderer,” “Champion,” and “Wanna Be Loved” are the ideal gateway to his hallowed discography.

‘Til Shiloh, named after a saying meaning “forever,” pivoted from Banton’s previous rude-boy style to introspective roots reggae. With Donovan Germain, Lisa Cortes, Bobby “Digital” Dixon, Dave Kelly, Sylvester Gorton and Steely & Clevie behind the board, Shiloh’s introspective themes, innovative use of digital programming and prayerful vibe changed reggae and dancehall permanently.

‘Til Shiloh was acclaimed by BBC as “a very listenable landmark” which “saw the brash ‘rockstone’ deejay turn dreadlocked throwback,” by Spin, which called it the 10th best album of 1995 and his voice “an uncontrollably vibrant lickshot of adrenaline,” and by The Village Voice’s Robert Christgau, who awarded the album an Aminus, as “the most fully accomplished reggae album since the prime of Black Uhuru.”

In 2019, Banton returned to music on his “Long Walk to Freedom” tour and on June 26, he released Upside Down 2020, his 13th album and first album in a decade on Island.

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The agency intends to use the money raised from “One Love” to respond to immediate needs, which include soap, facemasks, gloves, hygiene kits, protective equipment and lifesaving information for children and families.

Support for youngsters' education, protection and healthcare systems will also be possible, UNICEF said in a statement, which noted that internet platform TikTok, will promote the song launch with a special event and public challenge for fans who want to get involved.

“We have a unique opportunity to chart a brighter future for the children and young people mostly likely to suffer its long-term consequences”, said Fore.

“From ending violence, injustice and discrimination, to building fairer and more just societies, young people have made their message loud and clear. It is time for the rest of the world to hear it,” she added.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 –

D3

Blackwood Inspires Windies To Series-leading Win Against England fourth wicket with Roston Chase who made 37 and then added a further 68 for the fifth wicket with wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich who made 20. He partnered with skipper Jason Holder (14 not out) in another critical stand of 21 before drilling seamer Ben Stokes to Jimmy Anderson at mid-off with West Indies needing only 11 runs to win.

Opener John Campbell, forced to retire hurt on one in the fourth over after being struck on the toe, returned to partner Holder and it was his single to square leg off Stokes which saw Windies over the line.

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel had earlier snatched the last two wickets to fall to finish with a five-wicket haul as England, resuming from 284 for eight overnight, were dismissed for 313 in their second innings inside the first 40 minutes of the morning.

Jermaine Blackwood missed out on a deserved hundred but did just enough to inspire West Indies to a four-wicket victory over England in the opening Test at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, England on Sunday, July 12.

Asked to chase 200 for victory on the final day of the contest, West Indies reached their target with an hour left, to take a vital 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.

Blackwood was at the forefront of the run chase, top-scoring with 95 to hold together an innings which lay in ruins at 27 for three in the first session after Barbados-born speedster Jofra Archer produced a lethal two-wicket burst to demolish the top order.

All told, the right-hander faced 154 balls in a shade over 3-¾ hours and struck 12 fours.

More importantly, he put on 73 for the

Archer, unbeaten on five at the start, topscored with 23 to lead England's brief resistance but Gabriel proved irrepressible with five for 75 to finish with match figures of nine for 137.

Scores: ENGLAND 204 (Ben Stokes 43, Jos Buttler 35, Dom Bess 31, Rory Burns 30; Jason Holder 6-42, Shannon Gabriel 4-62) and 313 (Zak Crawley 76, Dom Sibley 50, Ben Stokes 46, Rory Burns 42, Joe Denly 29, Jofra Archer 23; Shannon Gabriel 5-75, Alzarri Joseph 2-45, Roston Chase 2-71) WEST INDIES 318 (Kraigg Brathwaite 65, Shane Dowrich 61, Roston Chase 47, Shamarh Brooks 39, John Campbell 28; Ben Stokes 4-49, Jimmy Anderson 3-62) and 200 for six (Jermaine Blackwood 95, Roston Chase 37, Shane Dowrich 20; Jofra Archer 3-45, Ben Stokes 234)

Jofra Archer Dropped after Breaching Bio-secure Protocols LONDON – Barbados-born pacer Jofra Archer has apologised for breaching England’s bio-secure protocols, admitting in a statement he had endangered the “team and management” by his actions.

The 25-year-old was dropped for the second Test against West Indies at Old Trafford after the England and Wales Cricket Board said Thursday the player had failed to observe the required regulations surrounding movement of players for the series.

Archer apparently visited his home in Brighton following the opening Test in

Southampton which ended last Sunday with a four-wicket defeat for the hosts.

“I am extremely sorry for what I have done,” Archer said.

“I have put, not only myself, but the whole team and management in danger. I fully accept the consequences of my actions, and I want to sincerely apologise to everyone in the biosecure bubble.

“It deeply pains me to be missing the Test match, especially with the series poised. I feel like I have let both teams down, and again I am sorry.”

Archer, who has played Tests since making his debut against Australia last year, will now undergo five days of self-isolation and will also be required to produce two negative COVID-19 tests before he can rejoin the squad.

The ECB said West Indies had been “made aware and are satisfied with the measures that have been imposed.”

Under regulations governing the three-Test tour, all players and management are required to remain isolated from the public, to mitigate against the threat of COVID-19 which has already resulted in over 45 000 deaths and 293 000 infections in the United Kingdom.

Archer, who snatched three wickets in the second innings at Southampton last Sunday, was expected to be a key member of the England attack as the hosts went in search of a series-levelling win at Old Trafford.

His absence for the XI was one of four changes for England from the first Test as Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Stuart Broad were also included for the ongoing contest.

D4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, JUL 16 – JUL 22, 2020 A D V E R T I S E M E N T