Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 155

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ISSUE 155 VOLUME 22

June 30, 2022

SERVING THE CARIBBEAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES!

How to Establish a Successful Cannabis Marketplace in NY

BY VICTORIA FALK, CAW EXCLUSIVE

E

xactly how do you establish a thriving cannabis marketplace in New York? That question has been on the minds of many who are currently in the medical cannabis industry and those wanting to enter the cannabis marketplace, which cannabis advocates believe is poised to become a billion-dollar industry. City & State New York presented a public forum recently, where panelists discussed their views on the best practices for developing a collabora-

Jamaica’s Health Minister Introduces Project CODE Care to Alleviate Medical Backlog ....10

continued on page 4

Jamaica Takes Steps to Remove the Queen as Head of State ....3

How Haitian Migrants are Treated Shows the Ties Between Racism and Refugee Policy

BY BY LUISA FARAH SCHWARTZMAN THE CONVERSATION

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T

he first protected category of the United Nations refugee convention is race. The 1951 convention defines a refugee as a person who is outside their country of residence or nationality “owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, continued on page 13

5 Tips to Stretch Your Summer Travel Budget ....19

PAHO Director: As COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise in the Americas, Many Are at Risk ....16

Will Closing the ‘Boyfriend Loophole’ in Gun Legislation Save Lives? ....22 Editorial credit: Luigi Morris / Shutterstock.com

How to Strengthen the Bond Between Family Members ....11

Brian Figeroux, Esq., Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association

How to Know When It's Time to End a Relationship ....18

T&T-born Morgan: First Black Woman to Win Daytime Emmys Lead Actress Award ....15

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SPECIAL CARIBBEAN REPORT Caribbean Consulates Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200 Antigua & Barbuda 305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117 The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-421-6420 Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325 Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-593-0999 Dominica 685 Third Avenue, 11th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853 Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-599-8478 Grenada 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301 Guyana 308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Tel: 212-947-5119 Haiti 815 Second Avenue,6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9767 Jamaica 767 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000 Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887 Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200 Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450 St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521 St. Lucia 630 Third Avenue, 7th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9360 St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278 St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272 For more Consulate information go to www.cawnyc.com/directory

2

Summit of the Americas Was Worth Attending

BY SIR RONALD SANDERS

A

s beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so is success or failure measured by the beneficiary or the overlooked. Summits of the Americas, from the time they were initiated by the administration of the US in 1994, have overlooked the Caribbean.

Not so, the 2022 Summit held in Los Angeles from June 8 to June 10. The 14 independent CARICOM countries, except for St Vincent and the Grenadines, went into this Summit with a greater measure of confidence in themselves and determination not to be overlooked or ignored. They reaped the reward.

At a private meeting on the eve of the Summit, attended by all but four of their number, the CARICOM heads of government decided that they would not be satisfied with a scheduled meeting only with US vice president Kamala Harris.

They wanted President Biden present.

They made it clear that while no disrespect was meant toward the vice president, the critical issues that confronted their countries required the presence of the president himself to make the necessary decisions.

The President not only turned up, but he engaged fully with the CARICOM leaders and the president of the Dominican Republic. His engagement was so intense that the start of the first plenary session of the Summit, at which he was the first scheduled Speaker, had to be delayed while he satisfactorily concluded the discussion. Word spreading around the halls of the Los Angeles Conference Centre that the president was meeting Caribbean leaders, puzzled delegates from larger Latin American countries and created envy – the latter spoken in whispers.

What caused this unscheduled meeting to happen was a display of CARICOM unity that has only recently reignited in the Group. It was driven by the consensus on the way forward for CARICOM countries, fashioned two weeks before in Guyana at an Agricultural Investment Forum, led by Guyana’s president Irfaan Ali with the strong support of Barbados’ Mia Mottley, Trinidad and Tobago’s Keith Rowley, Antigua and Barbuda’s Gaston Browne, Belize’s Juan Briceño and Dominica’s Roosevelt Skerrit.

At that Forum, the representative group of leaders had agreed on an actionable and time-bound plan regarding food and energy security, transportation of food within the region, and the removal of tariff barriers between CARICOM countries. They also agreed that, after initial hesitation by several of them, they would attend the Summit of the Americas not only to register their dissatisfaction with the US decision not to invite the leaders of Cuba and Venezuela particularly, but to press for US support for CARICOM’s action plan.

In Los Angeles they went forward with

Sir Sanders and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Photo courtesy Sir Sanders

that spirit of unity, meeting president Biden not with a begging bowl but with proposals showing what CARICOM countries could and would do, and how the US could help them gain access to international financing, including from the US itself. The exchange with Biden and Harris was courteous but candid, hard truths were exposed but with honesty and respect. US officials in the room might have been concerned about the readiness to act that President Biden displayed, but whatever bureaucratic delays might yet ensue, no one could doubt that action had been set in motion.

Sceptics, including persons like me, who have attended many inter-governmental meetings where statements are made and eventually discarded, are tempted to see proof before accepting sincerity. But there was an electricity in the Biden encounter that appeared more credible; it generated a sense that something might come of it.

The US president agreed with CARICOM leaders and the president of the Dominican Republic that they would establish three joint committees, which would be “focused, and time-bound in order to urgently address challenges related to energy security, food security, and development/debt finance in the region”.

Not five days had elapsed when, on June 14, the US government wrote to CARICOM heads and the president of the Dominican Republic, announcing its co-chairs of the Committees and its readiness to convene a meeting on June 20 “to discuss next steps towards achieving concrete, near-term progress on the designated topics”. This response has to be rated among the fastest that the Caribbean has had from the US concerning any matters that were initiated by regional countries. As I remarked in an interview, published in the Miami Herald on June 10: “This has been a breakthrough meeting for us. Biden has shown

that he’s willing to move.”

Movement, however, must not be mistaken for progress which will only be achieved if CARICOM countries and the Dominican Republic participate in these Committees with unity of purpose and with solid arguments that are backed by rigorous research. The persons, nominated by the Caribbean side should also be experienced and clear-eyed negotiators.

The Caribbean urgently needs drastic change in the rules applied to access for concessionary financing by the International Financial Institutions over whose policies the US, as one of the largest and richest members, exercise influence. The region also requires change in lending policies to match loans to needs. One of the region’s biggest needs now is transportation to move food production within the region by sea and air, reducing dependence on foreign foods, strengthening agricultural sectors, and lowering the cost of food products.

Hanging over every CARICOM country is also huge debt incurred to cope with external events, such as the COVID19 pandemic, high oil prices and increased costs of shipping, and natural disasters – hurricanes, floods and droughts. There is an urgency to secure debt reduction, debt forgiveness, and debt rescheduling. The countries of the region cannot repay debt, on current terms, and yet implement the plans that will make the difference to their survival and progress.

No Summit of the Americas in the past could reasonably have been considered a success by the Caribbean, but at this Ninth Summit, the Caribbean by the harmony and determination of its leadership, achieved movement. Progress depends on maintaining both resolve and unity.l Sir Ronald Sanders is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States and the Organization of American States.

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Photo courtesy: Brooklyn Borough President Office

3

THOUGHTS

Jamaica Takes Steps to Remove the Queen as Head of State and Become a Republic – What It Means

BY STEPHANIE KORNEY JAMAICANS.COM

J

amaica’s Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marline Malahoo Forte, announced in a speech to the House of Representatives on June 7, 2022, that the government plans to make the nation a republic by the 2025 General Election. This means the government will remove the British Queen Elizabeth II as Jamaica’s head of state.

During a courtesy call from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who were visiting Jamaica in March of 2022, Prime Minister Andrew Holness officially announced that Jamaica will move on from its colonial past and would sever ties with the British monarchy in the near future.

Addressing the House, Malahoo Forte said that the continuing symbolic presence of the Queen in Jamaica’s constitutional make-up has been a topic of reform for some time. She added that since

Barbados severed ties with the British Crown in 2021 and established itself as a republic, plus the announcement by Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness that his government intends to move from a constitutional monarchy to a republic, there is an increased focus on the rest of the Caribbean to see which nations will take similar action. Both major political parties in the Jamaican Parliament support the transition to a republic.

Malahoo Forte noted that she has been examining the attitude of Jamaica to a referendum as this appears to be part of the plan and will be in place by the time of the next election, barring the rise of more pressing matters before 2025. The work required for reforming Jamaica’s Constitution has “formally” begun, she added.

The Jamaica Information Service reported that a Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) that will include representatives from the goverment, parlia-

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Queen Elizabeth.

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mentary opposition, relevant experts, and the wider public will be appointed to ensure a smooth transition for the country from constitutional monarchy to republic status.

Several Caribbean nations removed the British Queen as their head of state in the 1970s, including Guyana, Dominica, and Trinidad and Tobago. It is expected that, after Jamaica’s announced intention, the Bahamas and Belize may soon follow and move to become republics as well.l

Contributors Jennine Estes Tarsha Gibbons Janet Howard Mary Campbell Travis Morales Chris Tobias Email info@myiqinc.com Telephone 718-771-0988 Website www.cawnyc.com

A Human Tragedy and Indictment of Failed Policies

T

he following is a statement from Mario Carrillo, Texas-based Campaigns Director of America’s Voice, reacting to the tragic deaths of fifty migrants in a tractor trailer near San Antonio: “This is a human tragedy. At least fifty people have lost their lives, each of whom had dreams, families and futures.

They each represented the most basic human desire – to make the most of their time on this earth to make a contribution to their loved ones. They risked everything for a better life.

Yet, even in death, they are dehumanized. I find myself thinking of the life they were hoping to find here in the U.S. The hopes they had and the fear they had to overcome. Only to meet this fate.

Inescapably, this also is a policy tragedy and an indictment of an array of cruel and failed deterrence-only policies – from the border wall to Title 42 to ‘Remain in Mexico.’ All are based on the wrongheaded notion that we can keep people from migrating in the first place.

Our current broken system empowers reckless human smugglers and traffickers and incentivizes dangerous treks to our southern border.

We need a new approach: one that will put smugglers and traffickers out of business: one that includes expanded legal channels for safe and orderly migration; one that addresses and alleviates the root causes of forced migration from within our region; one that increases regional cooperation agreements to deal with this on hemispheric basis.

And finally, yes, this is a political tragedy. Gov. Abbott’s obscene initial response, filled with finger pointing and lies about ‘open borders,’ reminds us that dehumanizing those who seek a better life to score political points is despicable.

Our elected leaders should engage in a serious reevaluation of a failed set of policies, not in cheap political mudsling.” l

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4

HOT TOPIC Successful Cannabis Marketplace/ continued from page 1 tive approach to establishing a thriving cannabis marketplace in New York.

Included in the discussion were: Ms. Emily Whalen, Cannabis Attorney; Ms. Ngiste Abebe, President, New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association; Mr. Vince Ning, Cofounder and CoCEO, Nabis; and Mr. David Urbanowicz, Director, External Affairs and Business Development, of Metro. The panel of experts believed that New York would benefit from a booming marketplace and expressed their thoughts on how to make this happen.

"Over the next few years, New York's brand-new cannabis industry has a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to create a new market completely. Legal cannabis cultivation presents a unique opportunity for the farmers and can create up to 50,000 new jobs, many union jobs. This is a great economic development opportunity and a chance for New Yorkers to work together and benefit as a whole," released City & State New York in a public statement promoting the cannabis marketplace forum.

Vince Ning reflected on what happened in the state of California when they went from legalizing medical marijuana use to legalizing recreational marijuana use.

Ning presented the information as a guiding model for New York to gain clues on the benefits and potential pitfalls to avoid

during the process. He agreed with David Urbanowicz, who shared that "…states can learn from each other."

Ning added, "New York has a real opportunity given that retail marijuana licenses will be given out at a state level, making it easier for applicants."

The pitfalls include: •The stigmatization of marijuana.

•Lack of capital to invest in a retail marijuana business.

•Competition from more heavily funded corporate medical marijuana operations.

However, Ms. Emily Whalen discussed the stigmatization of cannabis and how that is changing. "The stigma is definitely something that is evolving," said Whalen. Ms. Abebe added that "… cannabis brings jobs, and the reality is that it is already here. The more we see cannabis being discussed, the better it is for everyone to end the cannabis stigma."

Mr. Urbanowicz acknowledged that it

would take a lot of exposure to legal cannabis and educating the public that "…a legal marketplace will cipher people away from the illegal marketplace."

Governor Kathy Hochul's recent announcements regarding plans for the legal sale of marijuana for recreational use include a social justice component that helps avoid the pitfalls experienced in other states. It is anticipated that New York State retail licenses to sell marijuana for recreational use will be issued by the end of 2022. The first 100 to 200 licenses will go to people with prior marijuana convictions and their direct relatives to allow them to sell marijuana legally in New York State. Blacks and Latinos were predominantly affected during New York's "war on drugs."

Prior arrests and convictions involving marijuana typically resulted in Blacks and Latinos being evicted from apartments, denied employment, and denied student loans to attend college. And even

having their families separated in Family Court, recalled Eli Northrup of the Bronx Defenders. The latter represented many clients during the decades of marijuana criminalization in New York. Melissa Moore, Drug Policy Alliance, Director of Civil Systems Reform, stated, "This is a really phenomenal step for New York. It anticipates the challenges and prioritizes the people who experienced the most harm from the marijuana arrest crusade."

People previously affected by marijuana criminalization will now have an opportunity to build generational wealth.

New York will reportedly spend 200 million dollars prepping retail locations, making them turnkey operations.

Applicants will be given access to farmers growing cannabis. This is a win-win situation for the applicants and local New York farmers who may have been struggling. Women and veterans are also encouraged to apply for retail marijuana licenses. New York Governor Kathy Hochul projected that marijuana would be a billion-dollar industry.

The New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) sees great opportunity for minorities and immigrants who have been previously criminalized by marijuana arrests and convictions. That’s why NACC has partnered with the Cannabis Hub to provide accredited certificate programs and stand-alone courses. l For more information visit www.cannabiseducation.nyc

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Caribbean American Weekly- June 30, 2022

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BE EQUITY SMART

6

New Report Finds Queens Homeowners are Struggling to Regain Ground on their Finances

Q

ueens-based non-profit organization, Chhaya Community Development Corporation, uncovers the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Queens homeowners.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York City in March 2020, the communities that Chhaya serves in Queens were at the "epicenter" of the public health and economic crises. Over the last two years, Chhaya has assisted in addressing these economic impacts faced by homeowners.

While the federal mortgage forbearance and the NYS Homeowners Assistance Fund provided key relief to homeowners, these government programs were temporary and insufficient to address mounting financial burdens.

In the latest report entitled “Dream Disrupted: Assessing the Economic Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Queens Homeowners,” Chhaya illuminates the scale of financial impacts associated with the pandemic and uncovers the looming threats of real estate speculation that may displace low and moderate-income homeowners. The findings provide insights into the state of mortgages, the sharp rise of homeowner costs

putting pressure on low-to-moderate income (LMI) homeowners, and the latest neighborhoods affected by house flipping.

“Homeownership provides a path for financial stability and wellbeing, but this opportunity is slipping away as the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated cost burdens for LMI homeowners and house flipping in communities of color,” says Annetta Seecharran, Executive Director of Chhaya CDC. “Our goal with this report is to spur dialogue between homeowners, advocates, and policymakers to develop solutions that address these intersecting issues and ensure LMI families can still call Queens home.”

This report builds on the 2019 Chhaya report entitled “Investor Invasion,” which uncovered the rise of non-owner occupied single-family homes, reducing affordability for LMI immigrant families looking to enter into homeownership. It documents the continued rise of home prices sparking more speculation in Southeastern Queens. Rising non-mortgage costs, such as property taxes and utility bills, are putting pressure on homeowners seeking to regain ground from the pandemic, making it tempting

to sell their homes to investors paying in cash. Furthermore, many households in South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities borrow from informal networks to cover these increased costs making them susceptible to harassment or scams.

The report concludes with six recommendations to protect against the displacement of LMI homeowners in Queens and provide alternatives to address the speculative market.

•NYS should pass the COVID-19 Community Protection Act, which builds upon the Flip Tax to deter investors from buying properties to flip them for a profit and provides tax relief to LMI buyers.

•NYS should commit to the disbursement of loans promised to families by the Homeowners Assistance Fund, as many still have not received aid — and reopen

the fund to the waitlist.

•New York City should permanently abolish the tax lien sale and replace it with community-based alternatives to preserve affordable housing rather than transferring liened properties over to speculators.

•This includes increased funding for Community Land Trusts to ensure nonprofits can provide options for homeowners that may be at risk of foreclosure.

•To resist speculators, New York State could uncover shadowy LLC groups by passing the LLC Transparency Law. •And expand Cease and Desist Zones to include Southeastern Queens, where communities of color are facing increasing levels of harassment to sell their homes. l

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Recycling and proper disposal of harmful products is the law, and helps keep NYC clean, safe, and healthy!

Use our search tool at nyc.gov/HowToGetRidOf for help!

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Caribbean American Weekly- June 30, 2022

How to Get Rid of Your Stuff

DIASPORA CONCERNS

8

Hazards in Your Home: Tips for the Safe Storage, Smart Use and Proper Disposal of Hazardous Household Chemicals

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

I

f you are like most people, you think of hazardous waste as something that happens in factories. You may worry about the smokestacks at the edge of town but not about what happens in your own home.

You may not realize that a lot of potentially hazardous waste is under your own roof. You may not realize that the varnish you use on furniture or the paint you apply to walls can be dangerous if not handled carefully. Also, various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the home can impair indoor air quality. Proper disposal of these substances is absolutely essential from both a personal and an environmental standpoint. Here are some tips for using household chemicals responsibly and safely: •Take an inventory. It is easy to forget about all those partially used gallons of paint and cartons of varnish, and after a while they can really start piling up. If you want to see where you stand from a storage and disposal perspective, start by taking a household inventory.

•Buy only what you need. If you need to touch up a bare spot on your wall, you probably do not need an entire gallon of paint, so buy only the sizes you need.

The fewer extra chemicals in your home the better, so think before you buy.

•Close the containers carefully after use.

The fumes from household chemicals can be harmful when inhaled, so make sure those jars, cans and cartons are sealed up tight after every use.

•Always store household chemicals in the original containers. It can be tempt-

ing to consolidate various chemicals in the same container or store them in smaller ones, but that is a big mistake.

Household chemicals of all kinds should always be stored in the original containers - with the instructions clearly visible and easy to read.

•Read the instructions every time. It's easy to forget basic safety precautions, especially when you only use the item in question every few years. Reading the instructions before every use is the best way to prevent household hazards and

unforeseen accidents.

•Wear protective gloves and goggles. It's important to protect your eyes, hands and mucous membranes whenever you use household chemicals, so suit up before you start.

•Dispose of unneeded chemicals properly. When you need to get rid of old paint and other household chemicals, you cannot simply pour them down the drain or throw them in the trash. Many municipalities offer household hazardous waste disposal, so ask about those services then gather up your unwanted items and take them.

The average home can contain dozens of different chemicals, from cleaning supplies used to scour kitchen floors and bathroom tile to paint and stain designed to protect and preserve wooden surfaces.

When used properly and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner these chemicals can be great, but they need to be treated with care and respect.

The tips listed above can help you do just that, so your home does not become a toxic waste problem.l

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Caribbean American Weekly- June 30, 2022

Avoid Fires!

Lithium-ion Batteries in Electronic Bikes and Scooters Can Cause Serious Fires Safe Usage

Safe Charging

Safe Storage

• Check that devices meet fire safety standards—look for the (UL) trademark.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Do not place devices in direct sunlight—keep at room temperature.

• Do not block doorways and windows with devices.

• Do not charge near beds and couches, or charge overnight or unattended.

• Do not store near anything flammable or combustible.

Safe Disposal • It is illegal to discard rechargeable batteries in the trash or recycling.

• Visit nyc.gov/batteries for disposal options.

• If you notice changes in the batteries of your electroninc bikes, scooters, or hoverboards (odor, change in shape/color, leaking or odd noises), call 911 immediately.

In Case of Explosion or Fire 1. Evacuate immediately 2. Close the door behind you 3. Call 911

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ISLAND FOCUS: JAMAICA

Jamaica’s Health Minister Introduces Project CODE Care to Alleviate Medical Backlog General

H

ealth and Wellness Minister, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton is seeking to recruit nurses, doctors, and other medical personnel as part of his Project CODE CARE, which he says will help clear the elective surgery backlog in the island's hospitals. During a recent presentation, Tufton noted that since March 2020, many hospitals have had to suspend the standard processing of elective surgeries, which has resulted in the extension of the length of time that persons have to wait for these operations, sometimes up to two years.

An informational flyer from the Jamaica Consulate in NY announces that the Government is seeking to recruit medical staff for Project CODE CARE. Apart from the COVID pandemic, one of the main reasons was the limitation of staff, especially registered nurses, as there has been a migration of large numbers of general and specialist nurses in recent years.

A preliminary survey of hospital waiting times and the number of patients waiting for surgeries in Jamaica was conducted in March 2022. The findings revealed that more than 7,000 Jamaicans are waiting for operative care.

The Health Ministry says it introduced Project CODE CARE to ease that stress, with the intended engagement of specialist nurses and support staff in the form of nursing missions to support the local nursing cadre for seven to 14 days.

Nursing missions will be engaged utilizing contacts within the Diaspora and other friendly support personnel.

Expanding the number of surgical teams through the Project CODE CARE will allow at least 2,000 additional surgeries in hospital facilities. A total of 10 nurses per week will be targeted under Project CODE CARE for 400 nurses assigned for the 12 months of the intervention.

The program will target nurses from countries with a high Diaspora presence, such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Nurses to be attracted to the project include: •Operating Theater Trained Nurses •Post Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU) Nurses •Nurse Anesthetists Details of the program include: • 7 - 14 days of service to the Jamaican health system •Air transportation, accommodation,

ground transportation and a per diem for their stay on the island, insurance for work in the facilities and their time in the country, Nursing Council Certification, and fee waivers •Assignment to specific surgical firms for five days at a time to provide support to the different backlog lists •Two days for relaxation at one of the country's all-inclusive resorts.

According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, since 2020, the Public Health system in Jamaica has utilized myriad interventions to manage and curtail the impact of COVID-19.

A vital element of the pandemic response plan is reviewing and enhancing the Infection Prevention and Control

10

Measures for health facilities. These enhanced measures required that, from time to time, services in the health facilities had to be restricted. Thus, elective surgeries were reduced by at least 70% in some cases.l For more information: www.moh.gov.jm Contact Chris Benjamin Community Relations Officer Consulate General of Jamaica, NY cro@congenjamaica-ny.org Claudette Powell Chair for Jamaica Diaspora Health Task Force (Northeast US) cjoy53@gmail.com

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FAMILY MATTERS

11

How to Strengthen the Bond Between Family Members ences and talk to one another. You don't have to do something super elaborate to build stronger bonds; even a day at the park can be helpful. And you don't have to do it with your entire family; you can go on outings with one or two relatives at a time.

BY MARY CAMPBELL

H

aving family dinners every day of the week might be unrealistic for many families. And even if you're able to sit down and eat together once or twice a week, the quality of your interactions may not be as strong as you'd like. Outsourced work, long commutes, school and after-school activities, and other modern stressors can all weaken family members' bonds. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to help strengthen your family ties. Regardless of how often you eat together or how close you feel on any given day, strengthening your connection as family members will pay tangible dividends in the long run. These strategies will help you develop stronger relationships with fellow family members.

Talk Often If you want to foster better communication with your family members, you have to talk to them. You can't expect your family to know what's going on in your life if you don't open up to them. Even if you're close to your relatives, you may be

hesitant to open up because you think you don't have anything interesting to say. But everyone has a story to tell, and it's important to talk about more than surface-level topics like the weather. Be honest and open about your feelings.

Plan Time Together Family outings are a great way to strengthen your bonds as a family. You can take advantage of the changing seasons to do a variety of activities, like hitting the pumpkin patch in October or the strawberry patch in May. Whether you're indoors or outdoors, family outings provide a great opportunity to share experi-

Grow Together Members of your family probably want to see you succeed, and vice versa. But often, their desire to help has nothing to do with your success. It may just be a natural human response to be supportive toward others. To help one another, you'll have to put some effort into it. You might consider forming a support group or simply holding one another accountable for your goals. Whatever you do, make sure you're helping each other, not hindering each other's progress. For example, if one of your siblings needs help finding a job, don't tell them to "just apply to more places." Instead, help them develop a solid plan of action and hold them accountable to it.

Establish Shared Rituals Rituals are a great way to bring you and your family members together. They're

not something you do once and then say, "We did it!" They're ongoing, and they can be modified as needed. For example, you could make a big meal every Sunday and invite your grandparents over. Or you could host a regular game night. The frequency and types of activities don't matter as much as your having something you do together regularly.

Be Available and Supportive Be available to family members and support them in their endeavors. Let your relatives know that you are always there for them. There are many ways you can be supportive. Provide them with positive reinforcement, support their goals, and be a good listener when they need someone to talk to.

Conclusion Family bonds can be fragile, especially if you aren't actively working to strengthen them. Keep the lines of communication open with frequent phone calls or text messages just to let them know you are thinking of them. Get together often and have fun. A healthy family support system can strengthen you and every member of your family.l

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IMMIGRATION

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New Report Reveals Why USCIS Is Plagued by Enormous Backlogs and Wait Times Affairs (OIRA) on June 27 and should be published in the near future.

BY WALTER EWING

U

.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) operates under a flawed funding model. This virtually guarantees that the agency will always be under-funded and understaffed. As a result, USCIS has been plagued for years by enormous backlogs of applications for immigration benefits.

The people applying for immigration benefits must endure lengthy wait times before the agency processes their applications.

A report released on June 15, 2022, by the USCIS Ombudsman details these flaws in the agency’s funding model and provides recommendations on how to overcome those flaws.

The Flawed “Fee-for-Service” Model Unlike most government agencies, USCIS is required by law to function on a “fee-for-service” basis—meaning that the agency must set the fees it charges for immigration benefits at a level high enough to recover the full costs of providing those benefits. USCIS reviews its

fees every two years to ensure that this is taking place. If the fees being charged are not sufficient to cover costs, the agency can adjust the fees.

However, the rulemaking process which USCIS must follow to change its fees is very time consuming. The agency must engage in extensive data-gathering and analysis to justify any proposed fee changes. The proposed changes are then subject to multiple levels of review within USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Once these reviews are completed, officials publish the proposed fee changes in the Federal Register as a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” and the public must be given sufficient time to comment on the changes. USCIS must

then respond to “all reasonable and relevant comments” before the new fees can take effect.

This entire process can take more than two years to complete. At that point, the data which USCIS used to justify the new fees is outdated, meaning that the revenue generated by the new fees may no longer match the actual costs of providing immigration benefits. But if USCIS wants to adjust its fees again, the agency must repeat the same years-long rulemaking process. The last time USCIS established a new fee rule under the Trump administration, it was riddled with political decisions aimed at making immigration more expensive and was struck down as unlawful. The agency’s most recent fee rule was sent to OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory

Congress Doesn’t Cover Fee Waivers Another problem with the fee-for-service funding model at USCIS is that Congress does not usually provide any funding through appropriations to help sustain the agency’s humanitarian work.

Asylees, refugees, victims of certain crimes, and some individuals who can prove financial hardship do not have to pay filing fees when they apply for immigration benefits. But since Congress does not help pay for these fee waivers, USCIS attempts to cover the cost by increasing all other applicants’ fees.

This is very different from the situation at the Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services, both of which receive annual Congressional appropriations to fund their humanitarian programs.

These systemic flaws in how USCIS is funded ensure that, in any given year, the agency is not generating enough revenue to cover its actual workload. The precontinued on page 14

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IMMIGRATION How Haitian Migrants are Treated/ continued from page 1 religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.”

Racism negatively affects the lives of Haitians at home and abroad. Yet Haitian migrants today are rarely deemed eligible for asylum.

This requires us to think about racism and the treatment of refugees transnationally. Brazil-led UN peacekeeping operations and the outsourcing of U.S. immigration control to Latin America further complicates asylum for Haitians.

Why is race is so central to the UN’s refugee convention? Probably because much of it was drafted by former Jewish refugees from the Holocaust and their allies. The drafters added two important clauses.

The first one, Article 3, stipulates nondiscrimination by the receiving countries (by “race, religion, and country of origin”). The second is the principle of nonrefoulement that prohibits countries from returning migrants to dangerous conditions back home.

Other considerations that determined the final scope of the convention include the breakup of empires and wealthy countries’ continued racial barriers to immigration.

Haiti, colonialism and empires Much of the racism toward Haitians

13 comes from abroad.

In the late 1700s, Haitian revolutionaries expelled French colonizers and abolished slavery. A few years later, Haiti provided refuge for victims of enslavement and colonialism elsewhere.

But France and other countries demanded reparations for their lost “property,” meaning human beings. Haiti had to pay this debt throughout the 20th century.

From 1915 to 1934, the United States military occupied Haiti, with lasting social and political consequences. In 1937, Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo ordered the slaughter of thousands of Haitians living near the border.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, the U.S. supported the Duvalier dictatorship.

Since then, there has been nearly continuous foreign intervention in Haiti’s politics.

Facing economic and political instability, many Haitians go abroad to improve life for themselves and their relatives back home. For Haitians, the lines between diaspora, economic migrant and refugee are often blurred. But legally, these categories can make all the difference.

U.S. sent Haitians back home Starting in 1981, the U.S. adopted a policy of interdicting and processing Haitian migrants at sea. This effectively established a loophole and allowed them to circumvent the principle of non-refoulement and send Haitians back home.

Sao Paulo, SP / Brazil - Haitian refugees. Editorial credit: Nelson Antoine / Shutterstock.com

Following this precedent, wealthy countries today increasingly started to put immigration on “remote control” — in other words, they control immigration from a distance, in international waters and third countries’ territories.

There is now a broader outsourcing of security and human rights as Latin American countries have been put in charge of receiving refugees and managing UN peacekeeping missions.

Brazilians in Haiti, Haitians in Brazil In 2004, democratically elected Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide was ousted for the second time, probably with the help of the U.S. Canada, France, the U.S. and other major players quickly recognized the regime that replaced him.

Later that year, Haiti received a peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, known as MINUSTAH. Until 2017, MINUSTAH’s multinational military force was run by Brazilian generals, with much meddling from the

U.S., Canada and France.

In order to depoliticize the situation, these generals were instructed to deal with the problem of “gangs” by force.

Urban neighbourhoods, where gangs supposedly resided, were precisely the bases of Aristide’s political support.

In a book about the military commanders of MINUSTAH, these generals called the low-income neighbourhoods of Portau-Prince “favelas,” or shantytowns, suggesting the problem was one of policing.

Another term they use is pacificação.

This is not just a translation of peacekeeping. Historically, pacificação was an euphemism for the colonization of Indigenous Peoples.

It’s also a reference to the work of Rio de Janeiro’s police units called Unidades da Policia Pacificadora. There was an ongoing exchange of security management personnel, ideas and practices between Port-au-Prince and Rio de Janeiro during that period.

After the massive 2010 earthquake that continued on page 14

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IMMIGRATION How Haitian Migrants are Treated/ continued from page 13 displaced hundreds of thousands of survivors, Brazilian authorities became concerned about Haitians arriving in their country.

My ongoing research with professors Martha Balaguera and Luis van Isschot at the University of Toronto explores how Haitian migrants are treated in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

‘Special relationship’ Brazilian immigration policy is determined by the Conselho Nacional de Imigração (CNIg). In CNIg’s meeting minutes, government officials mention Brazil’s “special relationship” with Haiti (the MINUSTAH operation) as a reason to accept Haitian migrants.

However, they argue that Haitians are not refugees, since they migrated because of the earthquake. They don’t acknowledge Brazil’s contribution to Haiti’s political and economic instability.

Brazilian officials express concern that Haitians will “establish a more permanent Haitian diaspora” in Brazil. This discourse is consistent with Brazil’s longer history of racially biased immigration policy that favoured Europeans.

In response, Brazilian officials created a humanitarian visa specifically for Haitian migrants. It provides temporary legal status, but doesn’t come with the same protections from deportation and

14 government resources as asylum.

As the Brazilian economy worsened, many Haitians went north, hoping to get to the U.S. or Canada. Many go through Colombia, via the Darien Gap, a dangerous zone that links Colombia to Central America.

Haitians travel north In Colombia, Haitians join other migrants’ routes. This includes Colombians, many of African and Indigenous descent, who were displaced through land-grabbing by paramilitaries and local elites. Others are from Venezuela, Africa and Asia.

Further north, they join Central American migrants escaping violence from the transnational war on drugs.

Then they go to Mexico, where the U.S. has outsourced the management of asylum-seekers.

Many give up and stay in Tijuana.

In southern Mexico, a kind of open-air prison was created to contain refugees without the right papers to go north.

Those who reach the U.S. are then detained, after which many get deported.

The 1951 refugee convention was designed to protect people fleeing conditions created by Nazi Germany’s genocidal anti-Jewish racism. But the refugee system fails to prevent the pervasive and often deadly forms of racism that Haitians face. This racism is transnational, and its source are the countries of destination.l

Enormous Backlogs/ continued from page 12 dictable result has been a growing backlog of applications for immigration benefits and long delays between the agency’s receipt of an application and when it processes that application. Making matters even worse, when USCIS conducts its regular fee review every two years, it does not factor in what it would cost to reduce application backlogs and processing times.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on USCIS operations made a bad situation even worse. The agency’s offices shut down completely at the beginning of the pandemic and didn’t begin to reopen (at limited capacity) until June 2020. As a result, the agency’s revenue plummeted and the backlog of applications increased dramatically, jumping from 2.7 million in July 2019 to 5.2 million as of June 2022.

The Ombudsman’s Proposed Solutions To permanently fix all of these systemic problems at USCIS, the Ombudsman’s report recommends five changes in how the agency is funded: 1.USCIS must “reengineer” its fee review process to include estimates of how much it will cost to reduce backlogs and processing times.

2. Congress should provide appropriated funds for backlog reduction efforts at USCIS.

3. Congress should provide appropriated funds to cover the costs of USCIS humanitarian programs (particularly the refugee and asylum programs).

4. Congress should create a new financing mechanism through the Department of the Treasury which USCIS could draw upon to cover costs associated with unexpected events, such as unforeseen pandemics and new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations.

USCIS should exercise the authority it already possesses to adjust fees every year to account for the estimates which OMB provides concerning federal pay raises and inflation.

Until Congress and the White House thoroughly revamp the funding model on which USCIS is based, the agency will remain incapable of fulfilling its mission or effectively meeting the needs of the people it is supposed to serve. l

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Y&R’s Mishael Morgan Becomes First Black Woman to Win Lead Actress Award at Daytime Emmys

nSPORTS

nHOROSCOPE

Kitchen Corner

of pork roast and place meat into a heavy pan or Dutch oven.

U Mishael Morgan Editorial credit: Michael Mattes / Shutterstock.com

T

he Young and the Restless star, 35, won best outstanding lead performance in a daytime drama: actress at the 49th annual ceremony on Friday night, making her the first Black actress to win an Emmy in the lead acting category.

Morgan, who portrays Amanda Sinclair and previously played Hilary Curtis on the long-running CBS soap opera, received a standing ovation upon winning the coveted award, and opened up about her upbringing during her acceptance speech.

“I was born on a tiny island in the Caribbean, and I’m now standing on an international stage, and I am being honored regardless of the color of my skin, regardless of my passport, for being the best at what I do,” she began. “Now there are little girls around the world and no

matter what the industry, the vocation … they can strive to be the best.”

She continued: “I need to thank the fans and everybody sitting at home. They embraced me when I came on this show, and I am so immensely proud of our generation.”

“We are breaking glass ceilings left right and center and I am so honored to be a vessel and to experience this moment. Everybody out there today, we can do this thing called equality and unity together,” she added.

The historic win comes just months after she suffered an unthinkable tragedy.

In late March, the actress shared that her husband Navid Ali’s brother Nazir, along with his wife Raven O’Dea and their three children, all died in a house fire in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.l — Charmaine Patterson, People

4th of July Chef John's Pulled Pork BBQ

se your favorite dry rub and barbeque sauce to make this succulent pork. A little trick I like is to put 2 ramekins with liquid smoke flavoring in with the meat and roast it slowly.

Do your patriotic American duty and serve this on the cheapest, lightest white hamburger buns you can find.

Chef John, AllRecipes.com Ingredients 3 tablespoons dry barbeque rub, or more as needed 1 (3 1/2) pound bone-in pork shoulder blade roast ½ teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring, divided 1 cup water, divided ¾ cup barbeque sauce, or as needed salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 12 soft white hamburger buns ¾ cup barbeque sauce, divided Directions Step 1 Preheat oven to 210 degrees F (100 degrees C).

Step 2 Sprinkle dry rub generously on all sides

Step 3 Pour 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke flavoring into each of two 6-ounce ramekins; fill ramekins with 1/2 cup water each.

Place ramekins into the Dutch oven on either side of the roast. Place lid onto Dutch oven.

Step 4 Roast pork in the preheated oven until very tender, 12 hours. Remove roast from Dutch oven, place onto a work surface (such as a cutting board), and separate the meat from the bone using your fingers.

Discard any large pieces of fat.

Step 5 Roughly chop pork with a large knife or cleaver; drizzle with 3/4 cup barbeque sauce. Season with salt and black pepper.

Step 6 Spread about 1 tablespoon barbeque sauce onto each bun and pile pork on buns to serve.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 344 calories; protein 17.2g; carbohydrates 33.7g; fat 14.9g; cholesterol 52.1mg; sodium 1331.6mg. l Prep: 15 mins Cook: 12 hours Total: 12 hrs 15 mins Servings: 12

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LOVE, HEALTH & TRAVEL

16

As COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise in the Americas, Many Are at Risk of Developing Post-COVID Condition

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ashington D.C. (PAHO): As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the Americas, with new infections increasing by 13.9% from last week, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Carissa F. Etienne has called for countries to prepare their health systems to address the long-term impact of post-COVID condition (commonly known as long COVID), which may impact many in the region.

Estimates suggest that 10-20% of people who have had COVID-19 may go on to experience symptoms, including persistent and severe fatigue, shortness of breath and mental health issues.

And with the Americas reporting over 161 million COVID-19 cases over the past two years, hundreds of thousands of people in the region, if not millions, could potentially be affected.

“The pandemic has surprised us time and time again, and many of its effects will linger for years to come,” the Director said during a media briefing today.

The Director highlighted that those with pre-existing conditions are particularly at risk of post-COVID condition, as are those that smoke and vape, and those who have not been vaccinated.

“The best way to avoid post-COVID condition is by not getting COVID,” she said.

Masking and social distancing are still key tools, particularly in areas of high transmission, and vaccines also have a vital role to play in avoiding the worst consequences of the pandemic.

Studies show that those who contract COVID-19 after vaccination have milder symptoms and are less likely to develop post-COVID condition.

“But 224 million people have not yet received a single shot of vaccine in our region,” the Director said. “We need to pick up the pace of vaccination to shield populations from the worst consequences of this virus.”

The Director also called increased support for patients with post-COVID condition and for health systems to

“acknowledge this long-lasting effect of the pandemic and help address it.”

To support countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified three “Rs” to help guide actions: Recognition Given the wide variety of post-COVID symptoms and the stigma around the

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condition, countries must ensure that healthcare workers have enough training to recognize symptoms.

Rehabilitation Managing post-COVID condition requires a multi-disciplinary approach, with physical therapists, occupational and speech therapists, mental health professionals, nurses and doctors working together in a holistic manner.

Research We still do not know enough about postCOVID condition. We need scientists and research institutions to commit to closely following those with symptoms so we can learn more about this condition.

“This is a real condition, and it must be dealt with applying robust policies and guidance,” Dr. Etienne said.

“It is also crucial that we recognize the impact that post-COVID condition has on people’s lives and work alongside those affected to ensure that their voices are heard.”

Turning to the COVID-19 situation in the region, cases continue to increase in all four subregions, with countries reporting over 1.3 million new infections and 4158 deaths.

In North America, cases have increased by 7.7% overall, with cases increasing in the USA and Mexico, while falling in Canada.

South America reported a significant jump in new cases, with almost half a million new COVID-19 infections reported over the last week – a 24.6% increase.

In the Caribbean, cases have begun to plateau over the past two weeks, with countries reporting a 3.2% increase over the past week.

“These numbers serve as a stark reminder that too many people are still vulnerable,” Dr. Etienne said.

“Let us embrace the means we have today to prevent the worst consequences of COVID and help us turn the page on this pandemic.”l

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Caribbean American Weekly- June 30, 2022

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18

How to Know When It's Time to End a Relationship

BY JANET HOWARD

S

taying in a toxic relationship will only hurt you. The impact may not be obvious at first, but the longer you stay, the more it will affect your personal growth. You deserve to be happy, and if a relationship stands in the way of that happiness, then it's time to move on and cut the cord. There's nothing quite as disheartening as staying with someone who no longer makes you happy or vice versa. It's painful to acknowledge that things are not working out for you two, but fortunately, there are ways to tell when a relationship is over so you can move on before things get worse. Below are some indicators that can help you decide if it's time to end things with your partner: The Excitement Is Gone Many of us have been guilty of staying in a bad relationship because we fear being alone or having our partner leave us. You desperately want to make it work, but it becomes a chore. A long-term relationship is a two-way street; you must constantly try to keep the romance alive.

However, it's time to end things if you feel completely indifferent about the relationship and have lost all interest.

Many factors can contribute to a waning interest in your partner, such as having different values or not wanting the same things in life. However, if you're no longer excited about spending time with your partner and have lost the desire to be intimate with them, it's pretty safe to say that the relationship is over.

Your Partner Puts You Down No one should make you feel bad about yourself. A toxic partner constantly puts you down and makes you feel like you're

not good enough. The partner may say things to harm your confidence and make you feel unattractive. It is time to leave if you are constantly defending yourself against your partner's insults and putdowns. You cannot build a healthy relationship with someone who does not appreciate your worth and does not understand the meaning of unconditional love. People who constantly bring you down are not worth your time. Look out for your mental health and end the relationship before it has the chance to get worse. You deserve a partner who uplifts you and makes you feel good about yourself.

You Don't Trust Your Partner Trust is an essential part of a healthy relationship. If you feel like your partner is constantly betraying your trust and breaking your heart, it may be time to end things. Even if you have only been dating for a short time, if you no longer trust your partner, the relationship is doomed to fail. It's normal to have a difficult time trusting someone new, but if you constantly feel like your partner is keeping secrets or withholding information, it might be time to end the relationship. If your significant other has done nothing wrong but you still feel like something is off, it could be that you're being overly cautious and need to work on letting go. Remember that you cannot control someone else's actions. You can't force someone to be faithful or honest if they are not ready. End the relationship before it gets too deep and you lose your self-respect.

Your Relationship Is Unhealthy and Toxic The signs of a toxic relationship are often apparent right away, but many people continued on page 20

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LOVE, HEALTH & TRAVEL

5 Tips to Stretch Your Summer Travel Budget

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any of the nation’s leading travel experts are predicting a surge in travel this summer.

It’s no surprise that after months of restrictions, Americans are ready to set out on their next adventures. While popular destinations are likely to be open and welcoming visitors, the uptick in traffic combined with higher prices may translate into more expensive travel. If you’re planning a trip this summer, here are some smart spending tips:

19

and hotel rooms. The reality is, when you add up all the smaller expenses, you may spend significantly more than you realize. To plan a more accurate budget, be sure you account for expenses like dining out at restaurants, paying for fuel at the pump and tickets to attractions and events. Don’t forget fees that add up, too, like tips for housekeeping, checked bags, Wi-Fi access, parking and souvenirs.

Be flexible on travel dates and destinations. Unless your travel is tied to a specific event or occasion, try searching with flexible dates to find the best available rates. Similarly, if you know you want to get away but you’re not particular about where, try looking for destinations offering special promotions or deals for travel during certain timeframes.

you’re likely to lose money on nonrefundable expenses such as flights, event tickets or tours. However, some travel companies or your credit card provider may cover reimbursement for certain prepaid expenses. Look into what options are available before you travel to avoid extra headaches when the unexpected occurs during a trip.

Consider trip interruption and cancellation policies. Planning for the unexpected can help protect you if a trip needs to end early or be canceled altogether. Unless you have travel insurance,

Get rewarded no matter how you travel. Using your credit card rewards to offset travel costs is a smart strategy, but not everyone wants or needs perks like miles or points that are exclusive to use with a single travel partner. With point-based

travel reward cards, the more places you visit, the more rewards you reap along the way that can be redeemed for future experiences, statement credits, gift cards and more. That means no matter what hotel chain you stay at, car rental agency you select or airline you fly with – or as you mix and match to get the best deals – everyday adventurers have opportunities to earn up to five times the rewards points for doing things they love.

Come up with a realistic budget. When you’re planning a trip, it’s easy to focus on the big-ticket expenses like airfare

Research and book free and discounted attractions. Some attractions offer discounts for purchasing tickets in advance online, age-based discounts or free admission at certain times or dates, so be sure to look into any attractions you hope to visit ahead of time. If you’re a travel rewards credit card holder, start your search by looking into your redemption options. If your card offers flexible options by booking through a specific partner site or dedicated travel platform, you might be able to redeem points or make your spending dollars go further toward earning more rewards for the cost of experiences, entertainment and other expenses while you travel.l (FamilyFeatures)

Speeding ruins lives. Slow down.

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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Jamaican-Born Basketball Player Kofi Cockburn Signs NBA Contract with the Utah Jazz

20 Time to End a Relationship/ continued from page 18

BY STAFF WRITER, JAMAICANS.COM

F

ormer Illinois University center Kofi Cockburn, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica, has officially signed with the Utah Jazz of the NBA. At seven feet and nearly 300 pounds, Cockburn averaged over 20 points per game and more than ten rebounds. With his draft by Utah, Cockburn has realized his dream of getting to the NBA and will have the opportunity to prove his abilities during the Jazz’s summer league play. The team has a round-robin tournament scheduled for July 2022 in Salt Lake City. The round-robin tournament runs from July 5 to July 7, 2022, and the Jazz will play the Oklahoma City Thunder on the 5th, the Philadelphia Sixers on the 6th, and the Memphis Grizzlies on the 7th.

Cockburn’s size may be his most significant skill, and his seven-foot height and seven-foot-three-inch wingspan make him competitive with Udoka Azubuike, also of the Jazz, to see who can make his mark on the backboard the fastest. Cockburn is known for using his size well, both on offense and defense, and demonstrates impressive athletic abilities throughout his play. He can also dominate as a rebounder who doesn’t rely only on his size. On the other hand, Cockburn’s size can be a liability in his ability to guard in switches. His freethrow skills could be improved as well, but overall, he has the potential to devel-

Kofi Cockburn Photo Jamaicans.com

op into a backup center for the Jazz. This will be one of the factors awaiting Will Hardy, the new head coach of the Jazz.

While at Illinois, Cockburn led the school to a record of 23 to 10, sharing a Big Ten championship with Wisconsin and giving Illinois a regular-season title for the first time since 2005. He also attained a first-team All-Big Ten title for the second consecutive season and was a finalist for numerous awards, including the Wooden and Naismith Player of the Year awards, and the Kareem AbdulJabbar Award, which is presented to the

best center in the United States.

Cockburn was ranked at Number 89 as a prospect in the ESPN 100 and has made a name for himself as one of the most physically impressive players in college basketball.

Cockburn had previously entered the NBA draft in 2020 and 2021 and under league rules was not allowed to withdraw his name for a third time. He said it had been his goal to play for the NBA for a “very long time,” and he believes that he is ready and prepared to apply his talents to his new team.l

choose to ignore them and stay in the relationship. It's easy to justify staying in an unhappy relationship because you're used to being in it, and you don't know any better. However, if your relationship is toxic and you ignore it, it will only get worse. Many signs indicate that your relationship has become unhealthy, such as feeling like you're walking on eggshells or getting caught in the middle of an argument between your partner and their family or friends. If you notice that your relationship is damaging your mental health, it might be time to end it.

Conclusion It is important to acknowledge that all relationships go through ups and downs.

However, if you're feeling unhappy in the relationship, end it before it gets worse. The above indicators can help you decide if it's time to end things with your partner. There is nothing wrong with wanting to move on and find someone better. You deserve to be happy and so does your partner.l

Call Equity Smart Realty at 888-670-6791 for a FREE consultation.

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21

JOBS & RECESSION

Being a Paralegal Is a Great Career Choice! attorneys, opposing counsel, vendors, staff members, clients, and others. The work is varied, and each day brings new challenges.

BY THE CHAMBER COALITION

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career as a paralegal (also known as a legal assistant) can be a wonderfully fulfilling profession. Paralegals perform legal, regulatory, and business-related research for lawyers working at their organization.

Most of the time, paralegals work for law offices, non-profits, corporations' legal departments, or courts. These professionals also provide legal support services to attorneys. They assist lawyers in filing motions, memoranda, pleadings, and briefs in various court systems and accompany lawyers to see clients and go to court. Here are five great things about being a paralegal: 1. Rise in Pay Paralegal compensation has risen steadily in the past decade. As paralegals perform a broader and more complex range of tasks (paralegals even represent clients in court in certain countries and administrative tribunals), their earnings continue to rise. The average paralegal salary hovers at around $50,000 per year, but paralegals often make more through bonuses. Overtime hours can also add significant cash to a paralegal's paycheck.

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3. Easy Career Entry Unlike lawyers who must complete seven years of formal education and pass the bar exam to practice law, you can become a paralegal in as little as a few months of study.

4. Intellectual Challenge Paralegal work is intellectually challenging and involves a range of high-level skills. The most successful paralegals are problem-solvers and innovative thinkers.

Paralegals must become subject matter experts in their specialty areas and master legal procedure, research, drafting, and other skills. They must stay on top of ever-changing laws and new legal trends and developments while interfacing with

5. Rising Prestige As paralegals perform more complex and challenging work, paralegal prestige is rising. Paralegals are no longer simply lawyer's assistants; they assume corporate management roles, leadership roles in law firms, and entrepreneurial roles in independent paralegal businesses. Over the years, paralegals have transcended the image of glorified legal secretaries to become respected legal team members.

Ready to Take the Leap?

A career as a paralegal can be rewarding professionally and personally and offers a unique opportunity to help others; options vary, depending on the paralegal's practice area. Paralegals in the public interest sector help poor and disadvantaged segments of the population with legal issues ranging from protection from domestic abuse to assistance preparing wills. Ready to take the leap, the next step? Call us at 718-722-9217 or visit www.freeparalegal.org to complete your registration which includes payment.l

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CONVERSATIONS

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Will Closing the ‘Boyfriend Loophole’ in Gun Legislation Save Lives? Here’s What the Research Says

BY APRIL M. ZEOLI THE CONVERSATION

T

he U.S. Congress has passed a bipartisan gun safety bill, representing the first federal gun safety legislation to be passed in a generation.

The legislation, which will now be signed into law by President Joe Biden, is limited in scope. But among its provisions is the closing of the so-called “boyfriend loophole” which allows some people with a record of domestic violence to still buy firearms.

This article researches the link between intimate partner violence, homicide and gun laws. It also explains what the change means – and why it would save lives.

What is the boyfriend loophole?

Under current federal legislation, intimate partner relationships are defined only as those in which two people are or were married, live or lived together as a couple, or have a child together. People who were in a dating relationship are

largely excluded from this definition.

As a result, dating partners are exempt from federal laws that prohibit those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanor crimes, or those who are under domestic violence restraining orders, from buying or possessing a firearm.

This is what is referred to as the “boyfriend loophole”.

To put it another way, if you have two domestic abusers who have both committed the same severe physical violence against their partners, but one of them is married to their intimate partner while the other isn’t, then only the domestic abuser who is married could be prohibited from having a gun.

What does the data tell us about domestic violence and guns?

Intimate partner homicides have been rising since about 2015, and this increase is almost entirely due to intimate partner homicides committed with guns. Indeed, guns are the most common weapon used in intimate partner homicide. In contrast, non-gun intimate partner homicide levels

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have stayed roughly the same over that period.

Research suggests that when a violent male partner has access to a gun, the risk of murder to the female partner increases by fivefold. We also know that guns are used to coerce, intimidate, and threaten intimate partners, and that gun-involved intimate partner violence can result in more symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder than intimate partner violence that doesn’t involve guns. With a nationally representative survey suggesting that 3.4% of victims of domestic violence have experienced non-fatal gun use by their abusers – combined with the high numbers of intimate partner murders committed with guns – this constitutes a large public health threat.

Why are people talking about the ‘boyfriend loophole’ now?

The conversation over extending domestic violence firearm restrictions to dating partners arises every few years.

This time, Congress has actually passed new gun safety legislation that will close, or at least narrow the loophole. The wording of the proposed legislation extends the ban to those who “have or have had a continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.”

There are a few issues to note here.

First, the motivation to pass new gun safety legislation came from recent mass shooting events and the hope of preventing future mass shootings. We know that many mass shootings often involve killing intimate partners or family members, and that some of the shooters have criminal histories involving domestic violence before they commit the mass shootings.

But mass shootings make up only a small percentage of shootings in the United States. Intimate partner homicide is a more frequent occurrence.

My research shows that when states extend firearm restrictions placed on individuals under domestic violence restraining orders to cover dating partners, there is an associated reduction in intimate partner homicide.

However, the legislation which has made its way through Congress does not do this exactly. The law would only close the loophole for those convicted of

domestic violence misdemeanor crimes.

It does not cover restraining order laws.

What is the current situation at the state level?

Some states, such as Minnesota and West Virginia, have extended misdemeanor domestic violence firearm restrictions to dating partners already. Others, including Tennessee, have not. Fewer than half of states have extended the misdemeanor domestic violence firearm restriction to cover dating partners.

This has created a situation in which safety from gun violence by a violent dating partner depends on the state in which you live. Federal legislation would help to create a more consistent picture across the country when it comes to dating partners who commit violence.

What effect will closing the ‘boyfriend loophole’ have at a national level?

My research suggests that the federal firearm restriction for individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanor crimes is associated with reductions in intimate partner homicide committed with firearms.

As such, one could hypothesize that restricting access to guns for a greater number of dangerous intimate partners would further reduce firearm homicides within violent relationships. By the same thinking, closing the boyfriend loophole when it comes to banning gun possession for individuals under domestic violence restraining orders would also probably save lives.

April M. Zeoli is a Professor of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University

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