The Immigrant’s Journal - Vol. 127

The Immigrant’s Journal Vol. 127

Our leaders who stood for Unity & Justice

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Protecting God’s Children From Distant Lands

www.ijlef.org

September 17, 2020

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Women in ICE Detention Given Hysterectomies Without Their Consent

Free Childcare Available for 3K – 8th Graders

BY KATY MURDZA

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whistleblower has come forward to expose serious allegations of medical malpractice at a forprofit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Ocilla, Georgia. The whistleblower— who was until recently employed as a nurse at the Irwin County detention center—worked with several non-governmental organizations to file two complaints with Department of Homeland Security oversight agencies.

The first complaint details the facility’s continued on page 2

What is the Future for TPS Holders? .... 8

Americans Are Pro-Immigrant and Have a Clear Choice: Biden/Dems immigration and the treatment of immigrants and Latinos.

Among the key points of contrast on display: Biden highlights top priority of citizenship while Trump continues effort to strip protections and deport long-settled immigrants: During the Telemundo interview, Biden reiterated his priority to reinstate DACA and pass legislation with a clear roadmap to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in America, including Dreamers, noting: “I’m going to reinstate it [DACA] and then they’re

BY AMERICA’S VOICE

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midst ongoing focus on his level of support with Latino voters, Joe Biden traveled to Florida yesterday (Sept 15) for events in Tampa and Kissimmee, released a plan on how he would support Puerto Rico, and conducted an interview with Telemundo’s José Díaz-Balart in which he reiterated his top immigration priorities.

Alongside a series of other immigration policy developments on display this week, it served as a reminder of the sharp contrast between the two presidential candidates and their parties on

Biden. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

continued on page 9

Update on In-Person Learning for Immigrant Families Regarding NYC’s School Reopening

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n response to the announcement of the phased in in-person learning plan, Andrea Ortiz, Manager of Education Policy for the New York Immigration Coalition, issued the following statement.

“The safety of students and teachers must always come first. However, acces-

sible communications with all NYC school families continue to be lacking, and we hope that the DOE and schools will prioritize improving communications with our immigrant communities, alongside the health and safety of all students and staff. Despite all precautions and safety measures, COVID-19 is not

going away anytime soon, so the DOE must put plans in place to ensure accessible and timely communications of urgent information for all New York families.

Immigrant students and families, like all New Yorkers, need the stability that schools provide for our families, now more than ever."l

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earning Bridges will provide child care options for Department of Education families on days when they are scheduled for remote learning.

The Learning Bridges programs will: •Be operated by community-based organizations and other partners •Provide opportunities for children to connect to their remote learning activities •Include time for art, recreation, and other age-appropriate activities •Follow the same rigorous health and safety precautions as schools Eligibility and Enrollment: Program open to 3-K through 8th grade students enrolled in a DOE school or contracted early childhood program. This includes District 75, 4410 programs, contracted 3K, Pre-K, and EarlyLearn programs, and DOE elementary and middle schools.

Priority for placement will be given to: •Families in temporary housing, including shelters and hotels •Children of DOE school and program staff, including staff of Learning Bridges sites and other contracted early childhood providers •Families residing in NYCHA developments •Children in family foster care or receiving other child welfare services •Students with disabilities •Children whose parent/guardian is an essential worker or was previously enrolled in a Regional Enrichment Center (REC) Families interested in applying for the Learning Bridges program can complete the application or call 311 for assistance.l

IMMIGRATION MATTERS

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Hysterectomies/from page 1 failure to take COVID-19 precautions and provide adequate medical care. The second contains allegations that women detained at the facility were given hysterectomies—sometimes without their consent—at an unusually high rate.

LaSalle Corrections is a private prison company that the federal government contracts to operate the Irwin County Detention Center that is the subject of the complaint. It operates a total of 18 facilities across the southern United States, which can hold up to 18,000 people collectively.

What do the complaints say?

The whistleblower, Dawn Wooten, worked as a nurse at the ICE facility for three years.

Wooten’s doctor had informed her that contracting COVID-19 would likely be deadly due to her sickle-celled anemia.

Despite her high-risk status, the facility failed to provide Wooten with proper personal protective equipment (PPE).

She was never informed that some of her patients had tested positive for COVID19. Later, when she had COVID-19 symptoms and was pending test results, the facility required her to work against her doctor’s recommendation.

The problems did not end there.

Wooten also states that the facility underreported cases, refused to test detained individuals experiencing

These reports raise serious concerns about the continuation of the United States’ racist history of forced sterilizations.

COVID-19 symptoms, hoarded PPE for high-ranking staff, and locked away their two testing machines. She reports that medical staff tore up requests for medical appointments, falsified temperatures, and failed to follow up on test results.

The second complaint also alleges that an unusually high number of women detained at the Irwin facility were given hysterectomies, all by the same off-site gynecologist.

Some of the women said they did not consent to the procedure or understand why they needed it. One woman reported that the doctor removed her healthy ovary instead of the one that needed removal.

These reports raise serious concerns about the continuation of the United States’ racist history of forced sterilizations.

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The facility demoted Wooten in July, which she believes to be retaliation for speaking up about these practices.

Wooten, who is Black, has also reported experiencing racism at the detention center. Some of her white colleagues were allowed paid sick time while their COVID tests were pending while she was required to work.

How do these complaints compare with past reports?

Detained people and advocates have warned of the dangerous conditions and negligent medical care in ICE detention centers for years. These reports have only grown since the start of the pandemic.

Failing to heed these warning has led to fatal consequences. Two guards and one member of the medical staff working at LaSalle facilities have died.

In April, ICE retaliated against detained women who created a video describing the dangerous conditions at the facility.

Detained men also protested conditions, many through a hunger strike. The facility denied running water to some of the men who participated, forcing one man to drink water out of the toilet.

In July, staff of Richwood Correctional Center, a LaSalle Corrections detention center in Monroe, Louisiana, submitted a letter to Congress about the lack of COVID-19 precautions at the facility.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, ICE detention centers had a long history of inadequate medical care. Advocates have complained for years about the Irwin facility’s failure to treat medical conditions, insufficient medical interpretation, and lack of mental health care.

ICE must improve the medical care it provides to thousands of people in its custody and hold accountable any official or medical professional who does not uphold that duty. No procedures should ever be conducted without fully informed consent.

The agency should conduct robust testing and use its discretion to release people from detention on humanitarian parole to minimize the risk of COVID19. And Congress must launch an immediate and thorough investigation into conditions and medical care at ICE detention centers.l

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TIME FOR ACTION

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A Veteran's Plea: Return To The America We Fought For

BY JIM WHITE, PhD

TEAM Publisher I.Q. INC. Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip

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am a former Army Ranger. After two tours of Vietnam, I can attest to all that we sacrificed. We lost friends and families. We lost limbs. We lost years of our carefree youth. In many cases, we lost the ability ever again to feel completely safe and whole. We lost our innocence.

And not just in Vietnam but in Lebanon, the Gulf War, Croatia, Afghanistan, and hot spots around the globe, soldiers – rangers, marines, navy men, pilots – did it gladly.

Why? Because we loved America.

But the America of today is not the same place it was. Its very fabric is unravelling. This angry, bitterly torn country is not the nation of ideals we fought for. Its deep polarization has made civil discourse impossible, in the media and in the public.

We fought and risked our lives – and tragically, lost them – to uphold the values of our Constitution that we hold dear: democracy, freedom, tolerance, and more.

Unfortunately, our leadership on both sides of the aisle has failed us by not adhering to these values. We have been pitted against each other along partisan, economic, and even racial, lines.

Whoever would have thought that Americans would become our own greatest enemies?

America must return to the principles on which this country was built. These are the principles our leaders should adhere to… and the litmus test voters judge them by in the critical upcoming election.

We must return to wisdom and civility.

Thankfully, everything we need to restore our country can be found in the texts and teachings of the Founding Fathers and Mothers.

Regardless of which party we vote for, we should demand that leaders govern with criteria including:

Assistant Editor Marilyn Silverman Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Anvar Sabirov Email immjournal@aol.com

Truth. Right now, there is stupefying dishonesty in Washington, and that dishonesty is eroding the public’s trust in government. If we are not told the truth… for instance, about the Coronavirus, then how are we to make informed decisions about whether it is safe to go out, to go to work, or to send our children to school? We must demand transparency.

Accountability. This goes hand in hand with truth-telling. We must hold our leaders, as well as our public servants – such as our police – accountable for their actions. They must be worthy of our trust. Sua sponte, “of their own accord,” may be appropriate for army rangers, but not for political leaders.

Patriotism. We elect politicians to lead and to serve the people. They must care about all Americans, not just their own electoral base, cronies, or special interest groups. We want to follow a passionate leader who loves this country and puts its interest above themselves, their political party, and winning votes.

It should go without saying that those who serve and sacrifice are treated with the utmost gratitude and respect. To utter words such as “loser” or “sucker” in the same breath as “fallen soldiers” is nothing short of repulsive.

As we commemorated September 11, one of the most horrific days in American history, we lowered our flags to half-staff

to remember all those we lost to evil.

But we should also remember that 9/11 marked a turning point for Americans coming together in mutual support and cooperation. It was a day that helped us recapture Esprit de Corps… the patriotism that characterized us, not just in the military but in society nationwide.

My latest book, BROKEN AMERICA: Ten Guiding Principles to Restore America, released September 9. It is a guide for returning us to the civility and patriotism that once made us proud to be American.

Because that America is the one I was honored to fight for.l

About Jim White, PhD: Jim White, PhD, is Founder and President of JL White International, Chairman and CEO of Post Harvest Technologies, Inc., and Growers Ice Company, Inc., as well as Founder and CEO of PHT Opportunity Fund LP. He is the bestselling author of several books and holds a BS in Civil Engineering, an MBA, and a PhD in Psychology and Organizational Behavior. He shares his extraordinary insights and critical thinking skills in a live webinar series, Healing America with Dr. Jim White, in which he examines the many issues and challenges faced by our nation… and how to fix them. l

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The Immigrant's Journal Legal & Educational Fund, Inc. is an organization dedicated to the educational and economic empowerment of all immigrants and immigrant organizations here in the United States. We at the Journal recognize the enormous contribution of immigrants to this country economically, socially and politically. Since September 11, 2001, however, immigrants have increasingly been discriminated against and Congress has passed legislation curtailing the rights of immigrants here in the U.S., broadly claiming that immigrants are a threat to ''National Security.'' We at the Journal believe that these charges are unfounded, unsubstantiated and exaggerated.

The Immigrant's Journal Volunteer Intern Program was introduced to give our volunteers the opportunity to work in an immigrant friendly environment while developing the necessary skills for college or law school. They assist our staff in resolving immigration and other legal concerns through personal interviews, radio, email and telephone contact. They also assist the public with citizenship applications and in researching whether or not children of naturalized U.S. citizens have derived citizenship from their parents. Some of our volunteers assist our legal staff by engaging in legal research and writing letters on other legal issues. Volunteer interns are also assigned various other jobs in our Youth Programs.

Hours are flexible. Email your cover letter and resume or any questions to immjournal@aol.com Tel: 718-243-9431 Fax: 718-222-3153

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CIVIL RIGHTS

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Immigrant Rights Advocates Ask Court to Permanently Block Trump Policy Turning Back Asylum Seekers

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an Diego, CA (Sept 8): Asylum seekers who have been turned back by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border asked a federal court to permanently stop the Trump administration’s turnback policy and declare it unlawful. Under the policy, CBP agents have rejected asylum seekers using unlawful tactics, including “metering”—forcing asylum seekers to get on months-long waiting lists in dangerous Mexican border towns, before they are permitted to seek asylum under U.S. law.

The motion for summary judgment filed explains how U.S. law, the Constitution, and international legal principles require that asylum seekers be given access to the U.S. asylum process and prohibit them from being turned back at the border. The motion also emphasizes that asylum seekers have been seriously injured, raped, and even killed after CBP officials turned them back at ports of entry. Advocates say the policy has created a humanitarian crisis for those marooned on the Mexican side of the border and that migrants there are in serious danger of disappearances, kidnappings, rape, and sexual and labor

Motion emphasizes that asylum seekers have been seriously injured, raped, and even killed after CBP officials turned them back at U.S. border. exploitation.

“Throughout this litigation, CBP has never been able to provide a believable neutral justification for its turnback policy, and ample evidence shows that CBP unlawfully enacted the policy to limit access to the U.S. asylum system,” said Erika Pinheiro, Litigation and Policy Director of Al Otro Lado. “Although relief will come too late for those who have perished after being denied protection at U.S. ports of entry, we are hopeful that the Court will consider the overwhelming evidence that CBP broke the law and order relief for asylum seekers who have suffered as a result.”

The motion comes in a class action lawsuit challenging the legality of the turnback policy. Attorneys say CBP denied people access to the asylum process by

falsely claiming that ports of entry were overwhelmed when they were actually well below capacity. Testimony in the case, including CBP whistleblower testimony, shows that government officials knew the policy was unlawful, but implemented and maintained it nonetheless.

The policy is just one aspect of the Trump administration’s attempts to undo this country’s decades-old commitment to the fundamental humanitarian principle of asylum and its attacks on Central

American, Haitian, and African migrants seeking refuge in this country.

The filing argues that the government’s motivation for implementing the policy includes limiting access to the asylum process, deterring asylum seekers from seeking protection in the U.S., and deterring lawful immigration—all of which are unlawful. Border agents used a variety of tactics to turn back asylum seekers, lying to some, coercing others to withdraw their applications, and using physical force to turn back others; documents in the case indicate that a CBP officer once dragged an asylum seeker by her legs back into Mexican territory.

CBP even admits that it has turned back asylum seekers who were standing on U.S. soil.

“This policy was the first of many attempts by the Trump administration to block asylum seekers from accessing the U.S. asylum process. It was justified by lies and has caused unfathomable human suffering and loss of life in service of a white nationalist immigration agenda spearheaded by Stephen Miller,” said Melissa Crow, senior supervising attorney with the Southern Poverty Law

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continued on page 5

IN THE COMMUNTY Trump Policy continued from page 4 Center’s (SPLC’s) Immigrant Justice Project. “There must be permanent relief for the tens of thousands of asylum seekers who continue to suffer as a result of the policy and the many more who could.”

The filing highlights the story of class members Oscar Alberto Martinez Ramirez, his wife, Tania Vanessa Ávalos, and their 23-month-old daughter, Valeria.

In June 2019, the family was turned back from the Brownsville port of entry, though Brownsville was operating at only 33 percent of its capacity. After the family attempted to cross the Rio Grande River, Oscar and Valeria drowned. A photograph of their bodies face-down along the riverbank, with Valeria’s hand wrapped around her father’s shoulders, was widely circulated in the press.

“We first brought this case in July 2017— although an entire litany of horrid immigration policies have come and gone, this one is still here, still needlessly denying thousands of individuals the basic humanitarian protections they deserve,” remarked Angelo Guisado, Staff Attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights. “I hope those families we met in 2017 know that we’re still fighting for them. We will not rest until this policy is eliminated.”

In August, the court certified the case as a class action, thereby covering all asylum seekers who were or will be prevented from accessing the asylum process at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border as a result of the turnback policy. The case argues that the policy violates the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment, and the Alien Tort Statute.

“Summary judgment is a monumental step in our challenge to the Trump administration’s policy of turning back asylum seekers at our southern border,” said Karolina Walters, staff attorney at the American Immigration Council. “The motion explains how the government sought to do through policy what the law does not allow: to deny those in need of protection access to the U.S. asylum process.”

“The summary judgment motion lays out in detail how the Government knew that it was breaking the law and did it anyway, said Stephen Medlock, partner with Mayer Brown LLP. “Thousands of asylum seekers that were doing nothing more than following the law were harmed by the Government’s illegal turnback policy. Plaintiffs look forward to getting our day in court.”

The case was originally brought by Al Otro Lado, a bi-national, social justice legal services organization serving deportees, migrants, and refugees in Tijuana, Mexico, and a group of 13 asylum seekers who were turned away from ports of entry. They are represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights, Southern Poverty Law Center, American Immigration Council, and the law firm of Mayer Brown LLP.l —www.splcenter.org

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4 Things to Add to Your Family Emergency Kit in 2020

BY TIMOTHY MCDERMOTT

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ince its inception in 2003, National Emergency Preparedness month has been observed in September to promote family and community disaster planning. This year, in the weeks leading up to Labor Day weekend alone, the U.S. experienced back-to-back hurricanes in the Southeast, a derecho that traveled from South Dakota to Ohio, a series of devastating wildfires in the western United States, and a record-breaking heat wave across much of the Southwest.

While it’s often hard—and in some cases impossible—to predict disastrous events, according to the American Red Cross, the best way to protect yourself and cope with an emergency is by planning ahead. Yet, FEMA reports that 78% of Americans are underprepared for a disaster, such as a hurricane, flood or fire.1 The COVID-19 pandemic has only added to concerns about preparedness, from shortages of cleaning and disinfectant supplies, to heightened safety protocols for first responders, hospitals and emergency shelters.

What should you add to your family emergency kit in 2020?

The first step in planning for unexpected events is to build a family emergency preparedness kit. The Red Cross actually recommends two kits: one for home and one to “grab and go” in the event you are evacuated. Your stay-at-home emergency kit should contain two weeks of emergency supplies, including items such as non-perishable food, water, household cleaning and disinfectant supplies, soap, paper products, and personal hygiene items. Your second kit should be a lightweight, smaller version that you can take with you if you’re required to leave your home quickly. The Red Cross recommends that your grab-and-go evacuation kit includes: •Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home) •Food: non-perishable (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home) •Flashlight •Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) •Extra batteries •Family first aid kit •Medications (7-day supply) •Multi-purpose tool •Sanitation and personal hygiene items •Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies •Family and emergency contact information •Cell phone with chargers •Extra cash (in small bills) •Emergency blanket(s) •Map(s) of the area

Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, the CDC has recommended people include several additional items in their kits to help prevent the spread of coronavirus or other viruses and the flu, including: •Cloth face coverings (for those age 2 and above)* •Soap •Hand sanitizer •Disinfecting wipes (for surfaces) *Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unable to remove it without help.

Know the location of shelters in your area Due to COVID-19, it’s likely that if a disaster occurs, the location of designated shelters in your area may change—or new locations may be added—to accommodate social distancing and other virus safety requirements. That makes it more important than ever to get the latest news and updates from your local public health and safety authorities.

Consider downloading mobile apps, if available, for your state and local emergency authorities, and be sure to follow

them on social media for the latest news.

Write down or print out the latest shelter information and locations (including those that take pets, if applicable) so you have a backup in the event of a power outage.

For more information on emergency planning, including checklists for building your family emergency kit, visit Ready.gov or the Red Cross for tips, tools, and videos.l

Timothy McDermott is a Financial Advisor at Cetera Investors.

This is your city.

Do you know your zone?

Visit NYC.gov/knowyourzone or call 311 to find out what to do to prepare for hurricanes in NYC. #knowyourzone

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5/29/2020 3:10:22 PM 5/29/2020

CENSUS 2020

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New York is Still At Risk for a Census Undercount

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ew York, New York: F.Y. Eye, New York’s leading nonprofit media group, announced the ten winning designs of their 2020 Census Civic Art Challenge to be distributed in emergency food packages through New York City. With less than four weeks left to count over forty percent of New York City’s population, F.Y. Eye is making one final push to inspire New Yorkers to do their part and complete the two-minute Census questionnaire—a quick, easy and safe way each proud New Yorker can bring money and political power to local schools, hospitals, and nonprofit services for the next decade.

F.Y. Eye partnered with artists in their Impact Artist Collective and the Creative Action Network to crowdsource designs that visually communicate why the Census matters. Now, F.Y. Eye is doing what they do best—bringing meaningful PSAs to vulnerable New Yorkers, meeting them where they are through creative vehicles. F.Y. Eye is teaming up with trusted community-based organizations that are a part of their PSA Network to place postcards and posters featuring the Census designs in emergency food packages being delivered to New Yorkers in need. Distribution partners include:

African Services Committee, Center for Family Life, Commonpoint Queens, Korean Community Services, Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, New Settlement Community Center, Queens Community House, and West Side Campaign Against Hunger. The encouraging, action-oriented designs will also be shared with the New York Counts 2020 Coalition—a broad-based statewide coalition composed of racial, ethnic, immigrant, religious, health, education, labor housing, social services, and business groups working to ensure every New Yorker is counted.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and fears stoked by the Trump administration have

presented countless difficulties for the 2020 Census in New York City. The compounding impacts of New Yorkers who have fled the City, immigrant communities who are distrustful of government, the reduced scope of in-person canvassing, and the plan to halt the count a month early, have increased the likelihood of a severe undercount. New Yorkers need to step up; and we hope this campaign helps educate and motivate people on the importance of participating in the Census,” said Melissa Demarest, F.Y. Eye’s Nonprofit Engagement Manager.

“Being counted is such a fundamental part of our democracy, and yet it can feel abstract to many people. Art has a unique power to reach people in a way nothing else can, and these artists have stepped up, using their talents to illustrate how important being counted is. F.Y. Eye is doing such important work, and we’re proud to support their efforts in making sure everyone is counted,” said Max Slavkin, Creative Action Network’s Chief Executive Officer.

“We are pleased to have a long-standing partnership with F.Y. Eye. As a community-based organization, Mosholu Montefiore Community Center has used

the digital PSA Network to promote critical messages affecting the underserved.

As we enter the final few weeks of Census 2020, it is more crucial than ever to reinforce the importance of community participation and support. These federal funds will help to transform the social and economic landscape of neighborhoods in need for the next decade. F.Y. Eye’s visual art campaigns helped bolster engagement and bring about awareness that is desperately needed,” said Rita Santelia, Mosholu Montefiore Community Center Chief Executive Officer.

Congratulations to the artists of the winning designs: Blythe Gurche, Momodou Janneh, Serina Kammuller, Mandy Licata, Jennifer Ponds, Alana Salcer, Emma Werowinksi and the Hester Street organization. Their work will be circulated widely and bring attention to this vital issue of public concern.

New Yorkers can still step forward by taking two minutes to fill out the Census.

The deadline to fill out the Census has been moved up to September 30th, 2020.

All New Yorkers can access the 2020 Census online at my2020census.gov, by phone at 844-330-2020, or by mail.l

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HOW TO GET A GREEN CARD

8

Ninth Circuit Court Allows Trump’s Plan to End Temporary Protected Status to Go Forward

BY ROYCE MURRAY

I

n a split decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Trump administration’s termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for four countries can proceed. The fate of nearly 250,000 people from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan—and their families—is at stake.

The case, Ramos v. Nielsen, was filed in federal district court after the Secretary of Homeland Security agreed to terminate the TPS designations in late 2017 and early 2018. The plaintiffs in the case argued that the Trump administration changed the way it evaluated whether to extend or terminate TPS—yet the public was not given any notice of the change.

That change allowed the administration to take an unreasonably narrow approach to how it assessed a TPS-designated country’s conditions. Now, the government no longer reviews how current conditions impact whether a country is, in fact, a safe place to which a person can return. It only looks at whether the problems in a country at the time TPS was designated still exist.

The plaintiffs also presented evidence that the terminations were motivated by racial animus, including President Trump’s reference to “shithole countries.”

What does the TPS ruling say?

Although the district court had granted a preliminary injunction, the Ninth Circuit overturned that decision on September 14, 2020. The court ruled that the decision to designate, extend, or terminate TPS is not subject to judicial review.

The judges made clear that they did not see the evidence of racism or hostility by the administration toward nationals of certain foreign countries as sufficiently connected to the decision to terminate these TPS designations.

TPS terminations for two other countries, Honduras and Nepal, were made at a later time and challenged in a separate lawsuit, Bhattarai v. Nielsen. That case remains pending but the decision in Ramos could open the door to terminations for those countries.

What does the ruling mean for TPS holders?

Due to the pending litigation and the preliminary injunction, the terminations have been on hold since they were announced nearly three years ago. TPS holders remained protected from deportation and could renew their work permits—the two main benefits of this status.

The Ninth Circuit ruling does not take effect immediately. New deadlines for the termination of TPS vary by country.

For nationals of Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan, the soonest TPS could end is March 5, 2021; for nationals of El Salvador, the earliest is November 5, 2021. A separate lawsuit in New York challenging the Haiti designation alone, Saget v. Trump, has also blocked Haiti’s TPS designation and could afford those TPS holders more time.

Ahilan Arulanantham of the ACLU of San Diego, who argued the case in court, noted that they plan to ask a full panel of Ninth Circuit judges to review the case, as opposed to the three-judge panel who issued this ruling. This appeal could result in further extension of these deadlines. conitnued on page 9

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9

IMMIGRANTS’ CONCERNS Clear Choice: Biden/Dems

Plan to End TPS/

/from page 1

from page 8

going to be part of what I’m going to send to the United States Congress. It’s a total immigration bill to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented people in the United States of America.”

Meanwhile, President Trump continues to seek to strip protections and deport long-settled immigrants – including TPS holders, Dreamers with and without DACA, and the rest of the 11 million. As the New York Times recently reported, ICE has stepped up a nationwide enforcement effort that has focused on immigrants with long-standing roots in the U.S. and no criminal records.

Biden and Democrats pushing for TPS protections for Venezuelans and other countries while Trump seeks to end TPS: Following the disappointing Ramos Ninth Circuit decision that sided with Trump and his effort to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections for 300,000 individuals, a Biden campaign spokesperson noted, “TPS recipients and their families, whether from Nicaragua, Haiti, or any country affected by this inhumane decision, should be assured that Joe Biden will continue to fight for a fair, humane, and orderly immigration system that is defined by compassion, not cruelty.” Meanwhile, later today, Senate Democrats are seeking unanimous consent for legislation that would establish TPS for 200,000 Venezuelans in

What is the future for TPS holders?

The path forward for TPS holders could be impacted by all three branches of government. An uncertain appeals process leaves the timing and outcome of judicial decision-making up in the air. The outcome of the November presidential election would impact whether TPS—or a similar form of relief known as Deferred Enforced Departure—is provided or ended permanently.

But neither the judicial or executive branch can offer what TPS holders and their families need most: a permanent solution.

The vast majority of TPS holders have lived in the United States for 20 years and have built their lives here.

Approximately 275,000 U.S. citizen children have a parent with TPS. And TPS holders are integral to our communities. 130,000 TPS holders are essential workers helping us all endure and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will take congressional action to ensure that TPS holders and families don’t face the impossible pain of separation. The House passed H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, but it stalled in the Senate. Now is the time for Congress to find the political will and compassion to support—and not separate—these families once and for all.l

Editorial credit: Christopher Sciacca / Shutterstock.com

the United States. Our unfortunate prediction is that Senate Republicans will find a way to scuttle the effort, again, despite several of them supposedly supporting the concept. Broader legislation, the Dream and Promise Act (H.R.6), also drives home the contrast between the parties – the bill would provide citizenship for Dreamers, TPS, and DED holders and passed the House last year, but has been blocked in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Biden talks about undoing Trump’s cruelty toward immigrants as we see horrifying examples of Trump’s dehumanization of newcomers. During the Telemundo interview, Biden reiterated his plan for a moratorium on deportations “for the first hundred days … the only people who will be deported are people who committed a felony while

here.” Other planks of Biden’s immigration policy vision include efforts to keep families together, in contrast to the moral stain of Trump’s family separation policies, and to end private detention, in contrast to the horrifying whistleblower allegations of medical negligence and of forced hysterectomies in ICE-contracted detention.

The contrast between the parties on immigration comes as new polling of 1,500 likely voters across 12 battleground states from Global Strategy Group (GSG) shows that Trump’s antiimmigrant political strategy is not working. In polling conducted August 28 – September 7 for The Immigration Hub, FWD.us and America’s Voice, Trump’s policies and positions on his signature immigration issue are losing him more votes than they gain. l

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10

FAMILY MATTERS

Temper Tantrums and Terrible Twos: What’s a Dad to Do?

A

cross the U.S., over half of consumers have reported cooking at home more often during the pandemic and 49% of consumers have reported eating together as a family more often due to COVID-19.1 In turn, Google searches for "online cooking classes" have increased fivefold2 and "cook with me" videos on YouTube have experienced a 100% increase in average daily views.

You’re at the supermarket, and your daughter is focused on a bag of chocolate candies. When you take them from her, she throws herself on the floor, screaming.

Sound familiar? The toddler years are a trying but rewarding state in your child’s life. Toddlers are learning that they are independent little people, but often lack the language and coping skills to communicate their wants and needs effectively. These years are also an opportunity to teach children the limits of appropriate versus inappropriate behavior, which will impact their success in school, work, and relationships in the long-term.

So, what’s a parent to do?

give consequences right after a behavior.

Short time-outs can be an impactful consequence. Explain time-out to your child beforehand. Avoid yelling at your child or spanking them – this teaches children that anger is the best way to handle things, and research shows that spanking increases their aggression later in life.

After the action, explain why you gave the consequence, and return to positive social behavior.

Stay calm and in control Losing your temper or yelling at your child will only worsen their temper tantrums. Teach your son or daughter good behavior by modelling it.

Teach your child to label and cope with their feelings Young children don’t have the words to explain their many emotions – anger, sadness, frustration, and disappointment.

Talk through feelings with toddler – such as disappointment when his block tower falls over, or when their grandparents leave after a weekend visit. Tell your child, “I know you’re sad that Grandpa

and Grandma are leaving. Let’s go wave goodbye to them and make a plan to see them soon.”

Reward positive behavior Social rewards (like hugs or kisses) are especially effective, and always available! Social rewards teach children to think about how their actions affect other people, as opposed to material rewards like toys or candy. Sticker charts or similar reward programs can also change her behavior.

Give age-appropriate consequences Toddlers have short attention spans, so

Try to prevent situations that may create an environment for tantrums beforehand.

This doesn’t mean making sure your child is never upset or always gets his way. Toddlers thrive on regularity, and major changes in their routine are hard for them. Keep regular, nap, snack, and meal times, and recognize that traveling or having guests over can disrupt this routine. If traveling, make sure to pack snacks and a comfy pillow, and if your mother comes to visit, give the child quiet time at their usual naptime to avoid tired tears later in the evening.l —National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse

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11

EDUCATION

City Launches Department of Education COVID-19 Situation Room

N

EW YORK: Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today (dept 14) announced the opening of the DOE COVID Response Situation Room—a multi-agency partnership between the Department of Education, Department of Health and Mental Health, and the Test & Trace Corps—to facilitate a rapid response to positive COVID-19 cases in public schools. The Situation Room provides a single point-of-contact between schools and agency partners responsible for performing both testing, contact tracing, and ensuring the appropriate interventions are being taken by school communities.

“The Situation Room is the precise system we need to identify, trace, and treat positive cases within our school communities,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “My pledge is simple: every case will be met with swift and decisive action to keep transmission low and our kids and teachers safe.”

This unprecedented school year requires all hands on deck, and that’s exactly what we’ll have in the Situation Room, resulting in quick, decisive action for our schools and clarity and transparency for

De Blasio Editorial credit: rblfmr / Shutterstock.com

all families,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “ Our principals will now have a one-stop shop to raise concerns and receive rapid, coordinated responses that put the health and safety of our school communities first.”

“Keeping our students and teachers safe requires an unprecedented response to an unprecedented time. Through our multiagency partnership we are ensuring a clear path of communication, decisiveness, and transparency to give Principals and school leaders in correct information they need in order to lead their communities as well as providing families and staff with the transparency and clarity of action they deserve. Our focus is the

health and wellbeing of our school communities and we will achieve this together.” said Buildings Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca.

Beginning today, school leaders can call the Situation Room if they receive notice from a staff member, student, or parent/family member of a positive COVID-19 test or if a student or staff member is isolating or sent home with symptoms. School leaders are encouraged to contact the Situation Room if they have any alerts, questions, or concerns related to responding to suspected or confirmed cases.

Upon reporting a possible case to the Situation Room, DOHMH will verify the

case and, if needed, trigger a Test + Trace investigation. Case response will begin within three hours for NYC residents, with documented cases being confirmed as quickly as 15 minutes. Schools will communicate to all families and students within school anytime a case is laboratory confirmed and what next steps need to be taken - including whether or not students and staff need to quarantine or if the school will be temporarily shut down.

The Situation Room will be open Monday through Friday, 5:30 AM – 9:30 PM, and Sunday, 11:00 AM – 9:30 pm.

Response to reported cases will follow the previously announced health and safety policies found here.

In the interest of the health and safety of our entire city, DOHMH recommends that all New Yorkers get tested, whether or not you have symptoms or are at increased risk. School staff and students can receive free, expedited COVID-19 testing at 22 city-run testing locations.

Testing is one component of stopping the spread that, when combined with social distancing, face coverings, proper hand hygiene, and staying home when you are sick, can significantly decrease the risk of transmission.l

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JOBS & RECESSION

12

How to Help Employees Thrive, Even When Their Career Goals Are Uncertain

T

hese uncertain times filled with racial unrest, a global pandemic, massive unemployment and economic anxiety have caused some people to reevaluate their lives and their priorities. Within that introspection, there are a few potential outcomes, whether it’s reassessing career goals, losing sight of them, or coming to the realization that some workers are happy in their job and do not aspire to a higher position.

Whether a worker likes the road they are on or sees a fork in it approaching, company leaders who want to keep valued people should empower them to achieve the career paths of their choosing, says Ed Mitzen, founder of a health and wellness marketing agency and ForbesBook author of More Than a Number: The Power of Empathy and Philanthropy in Driving Ad Agency Performance.

“Don’t steer them down a path that you envision,” Mitzen says. “Some companies have rigid career progressions, and if someone does not want to follow that path, eventually they are shown the door.

We’ve had great employees whom we wanted to promote but who wanted to

Approach performance with guidance and caring. Even the best employees sometimes fall short of performance goals and expectations. Mitzen says it’s incumbent on the company’s leaders – who have invested time in the person and often seen good results – to look for ways to help. “Asking employees how you can help when they are struggling is extremely powerful,” Mitzen says. “By looking for ways to help employees when they need it, you build a stronger relationship with them. Not only will this build loyalty to the company and a culture of caring for each other that positively affects everyone, but a stronger, supportive culture will benefit your clients as well.” stay in the jobs they had. Maybe they aren’t motivated by money, or it’s more important for them to spend time with their families than to get a promotion that may require more travel. At our company, that is not just accepted, but encouraged, because we know the value of a good employee no matter what their career trajectory looks like, and want to support them in that journey.

“Especially now, it’s important for

companies to understand that and respect having valued performers who are happy and productive in their roles as opposed to saying, ‘These people don’t have what it takes to grow within the company; let’s cut them loose.’ “ Mitzen offers the following ways to help employees who might be wobbly on their career paths or struggling in some ways, and let them know they’re worth keeping:

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Strive to make people’s lives better.

“Life is hard, so try to remember that work serves life, not the other way around,” Mitzen says. “Employers should do everything they can to help their people, including outside of work, and especially now, with change and anxiety fairly constant in our lives. If employees have a lot going on at home, understanding those stresses and accommodating for those situations goes a long way. Whatever you can do to ease concerns outside of work is the right thing to do and will drive focus to your employees’ projects in the workplace.”

Celebrate successes. “Most companies don’t celebrate enough,” Mitzen says.

“Those that do find they will keep most of their best employees, who feel appreciated and assured that they’re at the right place in their career. Find reasons to acknowledge the great things your team does. It makes a big impact on your staff and incentivizes them further.”

“Goals can change, people can change, and circumstances can change,” Mitzen says. “But when you’ve taken time to know your people, you as a leader can help them through almost anything that’s throwing them off course. And in the process, you keep your company on track to meet its goals. You end up with great performers at all levels of the company who are happy to be in their roles, and your culture benefits greatly.”l

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CONVERSATIONS

14

How You Can Stop Fake News from Faking You Out

T

he term “fake news” gained traction during the 2016 U.S. presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and it has since become a familiar phrase in the American political vernacular.

Could fake news factor into the current presidential election season? The QAnon movement has been seen by some media and political observers as an example of a politically-driven group promoting fake news. Despite a lack of evidence to support their beliefs, followers of the QAnon movement believe that President Trump is fighting a satanic deep state of global elites. Facebook booted accounts promoting QAnon.

David Dozier, a professor emeritus in the School of Journalism & Media Studies at San Diego State University and author of The California Killing Field, thinks QAnon’s origins and emergence into national news cycles symbolizes the intent of fake news: to influence voters.

“We live in a world where it’s hard to believe almost anything you see related to politics on social media, and sometimes in the mainstream media as well,” Dozier says. “Our democratic process for electing political leaders has suffered

great harm due to these disinformation campaigns.

“Fake news is definitely an issue heading into this critical presidential election.

QAnon is the latest example of how conspiracy theories on the internet can gain traction and build followings.”

Researchers have suggested that false information presented as news fuels public distrust of political leaders and the media, influences people’s attitudes, and damages democracy.

“We’ve never been more polarized as a country, and fake news is dividing us further,” Dozier says. “It’s become a phenomenon, but people still have the power to sort the true from the false.”

Dozier suggests these ways to spot fake news: Don’t fall into the bias trap. People can fall prey to confirmation bias, a tendency to favor information that confirms or supports one’s prior beliefs or values.

“Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum,” Dozier says, “people lend more credence to information that reinforces what they already believe. To counteract the confirmation bias trap, try changing your perspective by taking the other side of the argument. Overall, be skeptical and think critically.”

Pause before you share or retweet.

“Some people have an emotional reaction to a piece of news and think they should share it,” Dozier says. “But it’s important to know that the people who create disinformation are designing it to do just that – trigger an emotional reaction. So wait and ask questions about the content. Who shared it or created it? Why was this shared? Do some investigating.”

Go straight to the source. “The algorithms used by social media and news aggregator sites are designed to make sure we see stories geared to our interests,” Dozier says. “This makes it harder to identify if a story is real or fake, and who created it. Instead of following a link from the outlet that shows up on your social media, go online and head straight to the source. Inspect the poster’s profile and their post history. See if the

poster has affiliations that are in line with spreading a certain point of view.”

Inspect the content the account posted.

Conducting a reverse image search can make it easier to authenticate an image by finding its source. “Fake news/disinformation often uses old images,” Dozier says. “With a reverse image search, you can search for previous instances of an image that appears online and to find if the image used is from a different story.

You can also reverse image search the profile picture to see if that picture or similar photos are being used on other accounts. That’s a common practice to create fake personas online.

“Getting to the facts is getting more difficult,” Dozier says. “We have tons of information coming at us from all angles and platforms. It’s more important than ever to think for ourselves.”l

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GENERATIONS

15

When It's Time to Leave Home

O

ne factor is that people 65 and above are considered to be among the highest-risk groups for severe illness from COVID-19. Thus, as the economy opens back up, baby boomers in particular are thinking twice about returning to office environments that could expose them to an increased risk of contracting the disease. And while in some cases retirement decisions will be voluntary, retirement may be essentially decided for some older workers due to jobs being eliminated as struggling companies restructure.

The decision about whether your parents should move is often tricky and emotional. Each family will have its own reasons for wanting (or not wanting) to take such a step.

One family may decide a move is right because the parents can no longer manage the home. For another family, the need for hands-on care in a long-term care facility motivates a change.

In the case of long-distance caregivers, the notion of moving can seem like a solution to the problem of not being close enough to help. For some caregivers, moving a sick or aging parent to their own home or community can be a viable alternative. Some families decide to have an adult child move back to the parent’s home to become the primary caregiver.

Keep in mind that leaving a home,

community, and familiar medical care can be very disruptive and difficult for the older parent, especially if they are not enthusiastic about the change. You might first want to explore what services are available in your parents’ community to help them in their home—including home health care, housekeeping, personal care, and transportation services.

Older adults and their families have some options when it comes to deciding where to live, but these choices can be limited by factors such as illness, ability to perform activities of daily living (for example, eating, bathing, using the toilet, dressing, walking, and moving from bed to chair), financial resources, and personal preferences.

Making a decision that is best for your parent—and making that decision with your parent—can be difficult. Try to learn as much as you can about possible housing options.

Older adults, or those with serious illness, can choose to: •Stay in their own home or move to a smaller one •Move to an assisted-living facility •Move to a long-term care facility •Move in with a family member Some families find a conference call is a good way to talk together about the pros and cons of each option. The goal of this call is to come up with a plan that

works for everyone, especially your parent. If the decision involves a move for your mom or dad, you could, even from a distance, offer to arrange tours of some places for their consideration.

Experts advise families to think carefully before moving an aging adult into an adult child’s home. There are a lot of questions to consider, for example: •Is there space in your home?

•Is someone around to help the older person during the whole day?

•What are your parents able to do for themselves?

•What personal care are you willing and able to provide—moving your parent from a chair to a bed or toilet, changing adult diapers, or using a feeding tube, for example?

•What kinds of home care services are available in your community?

•What kind of specialized medical care is available nearby?l This content is provided by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health.

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LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

16

Need Some TIPPs to Better Understand How to Tolerate Distress?

BY SARAH O'LEARY, ESTES THERAPY

T

IPP skills are best used when we need to be brought back down to a calm state. Distress can come from feelings of anxiety, sadness, or feeling hurt. These different skills can be used at different levels of distress. When we feel ourselves creeping up the distress scale, we can use the less intense skills that take less time – like paced breathing.

When we’re feeling close to our breaking point, well past the point of logic, we’ll need to turn to more intense skills like intense exercise. (Remember the emotion thermometers, like the anger thermometer? The same idea applies to a distress thermometer.)

T – Temperature When you get worked up about something, your body physically becomes hotter. We can often feel this. However, we often overlook the connection between physical sensations and our emotions. To counter this heating up, hold an ice cube, take a cold shower, blast the AC on your face. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it lasts for at least 30 seconds to 1 minute. If you’re 10/10 extremely heightened and emotional, dunk your head in ice water (if

doing so is possible/realistic). This activates our mammalian diving response, signaling a chemical change in our body.

This change will bring us back to a more relaxed state. Whether you need the intense ice water head dunk or the less intense holding of an ice cube, cooling down your body physically can help cool you down emotionally.

I – Intense Exercise Exercise releases endorphins.

Endorphins reduce our perception of pain as well as trigger positive feelings (this usually happens after 20-30 min-

utes). This means exercise helps combat sadness, anger, and anxiety while increasing feelings of happiness. What we’re talking about with this skill, however, is intense exercise and its immediate benefits. This isn’t a light jog around the block – this is a sprint down the street, a hard session with a punching bag, or doing jumping jacks. Your intensity of emotion and fitness level will play into what you decide to do for this TIPP skill. When you increase your oxygen flow, it decreases your stress levels.

Exercising intensely can help you feel like you’re expelling the bad energy and negative thoughts. It can help you feel like you’ve accomplished something with your intense emotion, instead of letting the emotion control you. It’s hard to stay “out of control” upset when you’re exhausted. Try to wear yourself out.

P – Paced Breathing Relaxing and focusing on being mindful and present increases the release of dopamine, serotonin, melatonin, and endorphins. Paced breathing is a form of meditation that helps take you from a heightened state to a more relaxed state.

This TIPP skill is best used when you’re lower on your scaling of emotion, from around a 4 to a 7. There are different

types of paced breathing. One form is box breathing. Picture your breaths as a box.

Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7, breathe out for 8, hold for 7. Repeat. Try to focus on your breathing until you notice you start to calm down. This one is especially useful after a frustrating email as you can use your computer screen as a guide! Breathe in as you trace the top of your monitor, hold as you trace the side, breathe out as you trace the bottom, and hole as you trace the other side. Explore different breathing techniques by checking out a breathing app or just heading over to Google for some ideas.

P – Paired Muscle Relaxation This skill is my personal favorite. I hold a lot of my negative emotions in my shoulders and jaw and it can be hours before I notice. (Which also indicates to myself I need to be making more time for mindfulness.) Paired muscle relaxation is when you progressively tighten and then relax muscles/muscle groups. Purposefully tightening an already tense muscle allows you to get to the next step of relaxing that muscle. Often only afterwards do we realize how tense we were. If you can, I like to start from my forehead and work all the way down to my toes. However, this

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continued on page 17

HEALTH

17

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

C

hildhood Cancer Awareness Month is a time when we celebrate advances in childhood cancer treatment and care, remember the children we've lost, and engage new advocates to join in our mission of achieving a day when every child with cancer can live a long and healthy life.

This year, we also recognize the challenges and hardships that COVID-19 has created for families dealing with a childhood cancer diagnosis -- delayed appointments, severe financial strain, and overwhelming anxiety, exacerbated by social isolation. This month, approximately 1,400 families will hear the words no one wants to hear – your child has cancer – in the midst of a global pandemic.

These families need support and awareness, now more than ever.

Facts about Childhood Cancer from Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2) •46 children per day or 16,850 children per year are expected to be diagnosed with cancer.

•Childhood cancer is not one disease – there are more than 12 major types of pediatric cancers and over 100 subtypes.

Cancer is the number one cause of death

by disease among children. Worldwide, 100,000 children lose their lives every year to cancer.

•Since 1980, only four drugs have been approved in the first instance for use in children. This is compared with hundreds of drugs that have been developed specifically for adults only.

•A diagnosis of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is normally terminal with less than 25% of children surviving even two years.

•More than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have a significant health related issue by the time they are 45 years of age; these health related issues are sideeffects of either the cancer or more commonly, the result of its treatment.

Children’s Cancer Cause COVID-19 has challenged all of us this year, especially children with cancer who have compromised immune systems.

Here are just a few of the ways we’ve stepped up to try to help more families during this difficult time: •We provided a record number of scholarships to childhood cancer survivors through our College Scholars Program in recognition of the devastating financial impact of this pandemic.

•We are fighting for expanded paid fami-

ly leave policies to protect Americans most at-risk, including childhood cancer survivors with chronic health conditions like heart and lung damage.

•We are mobilizing to secure increased childhood cancer research funding, including emergency funds to help restart clinical trials disrupted by the pandemic.

•We’re launching a brand new program this fall aimed at empowering, educating, and connecting the nation's 500,000 childhood cancer survivors. Sign up at www.childhoodcancersurvivorship.org to be among the first to know when we are live!l —www.childrenscancercause.org

TIPPS

/from page 16 might not always feel possible.

Scrunching your face in a work meeting may not be ideal. So, in those moments pick a muscle group that feels doable – like working from your glutes down to your toes or shoulders down your arms to your fists. Relaxed muscles require less oxygen, so this will lead to your breathing and heart rate slowing down.

Different levels of distress call for different techniques to bring yourself back down. The more heightened you are, the more intense your skill will need to be to work. When you’re close to your highest point, paced breathing won’t help, but intense exercise will. When you’re at a lower level of distress, paced breathing can do wonders and take significantly less time. The goal is to get used to paying attention to your body cues that you’re starting to get heightened and catch it as soon as possible. This will help stop you from getting to a high level of distress that may lead to you avoiding loved ones, shutting down, acting out, or hurting yourself or others.l Sarah O'Leary is captivated most by the importance of relationships and emotions and their impact on our everyday lives. She works under the supervision of Jennine Estes, MFT. Jennine is a Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego, CA. Certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples.

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ELECTIONS 2020

18

Citizenship Backlogs at USCIS Will Block Hundreds of Thousands from Voting in the 2020 Election The Pandemic’s Effect on the Backlog The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this problem. Temporary USCIS office closures brought citizenship interviews and naturalization swearing-in ceremonies to a halt for months.

USCIS did manage to work through the backlog of 110,000 applications that got delayed due to the pandemic. Agency staff conducted drive-thru citizenship ceremonies to help close the gap.

But unfortunately, that did very little for the thousands of people already stuck in a bureaucratic limbo before COVID19 hit the United States.

BY MELISSA CRUZ

H

undreds of thousands of immigrants might be prevented from voting in the 2020 election— even though they are just one step away from becoming new Americans.

Years of fiscal mismanagement at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)—coupled with a series of policy changes under the Trump administration—have led to an enormous backlog of citizenship applications at the immigration benefits agency.

Now, an estimated 300,000 people will not be able to take the citizenship oath— the final step in the naturalization process—by the October 13 voter registration deadline.

A Growing Backlog The backlog of citizenship applications at USCIS has skyrocketed under the Trump administration. A myriad of changes has contributed to this problem, including increased vetting of applicants and conducting more interviews with

fewer USCIS staff members.

The wait time between filing a naturalization application and taking the citizenship oath has increased to an average of nearly nine months. And in some cases, becoming a naturalized citizen can now take up to three years. This is a substantial increase from 2016, when the wait time was just over five months.

How the Backlog Could Impact the Election Newly naturalized U.S. citizens are one of the fastest growing voting blocs in the country. But the number of new immigrant voters are not on track to match up with previous years.

In February, the Pew Research Center found that over 23 million naturalized citizens would be eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election. It was estimated they would make up 10% of

the entire electorate, the highest percentage ever recorded.

The majority would be voting in five states—California, New York, Florida, Texas, and New Jersey. Notably, both Florida and Texas are battleground states in this year’s election.

But given the backlog of naturalizations, the composition of the electorate may change. Over 15% of those who would have been able to vote in the election if not for the delays are from Mexico. Another 13% come from the Caribbean, while over 9% are South American.

Preventing these would-be voters from participating in the 2020 election makes the electorate less diverse—and less representative of what the United States actually looks like.

USCIS needs to prioritize completing these oath ceremonies by the October voter registration deadline. Aspiring Americans should not miss their chance to help decide the future of the country they have made their home.l

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BECOME A US CITIZEN. BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THE 2020 ELECTIONS!

This Citizenship Program does not apply to anyone who has ever been arrested since getting their Green Card.

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The lawyer you hire, does make a difference!

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