The Immigrant’s Journal - Vol. 139

The Immigrant’s Journal Vol. 139

Our leaders who stood for Unity & Justice

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Protecting God’s Children From Distant Lands

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June 3, 2021

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Haitian Nationals Win a Reprieve in the Form of TPS

BY WALTER EWING

T

he Biden administration announced that eligible Haitians currently living in the United States can once again apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Those individuals who qualify for TPS can live and work in the United States for a period of 18 months.

The Trump administration tried to end TPS for Haitians in 2017 but multiple lawsuits prevented it from doing so.

TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to the nationals of designated continued on page 9

Workers Denounce Airline Catering Provider Labor Abuse in Queens

Washington, DC – October 23, 2017: Immigration reform protesters demonstrate outside the White House calling for no further deportations and a means to gain legal residency and a path to citizenship.Editorial credit: Phil Pasquini / Shutterstock.com

Stop Suffering In Silence: Free Mental Health Services .... 17

Son of Immigrants, Antonio Reynoso is Ready to be the Next Borough President of Brooklyn Councilmember Diana Reyna as Chief of Staff in 2009.

He considers himself progressive and promotes his candidacy based on his personal experiences as an offspring of immigrants. His parents are immigrants who leveraged on policies in the society to raise him. His desire to serve as the next Brooklyn Borough President is a way of paying forward, according to him, “An opportunity to give back to a community that has given him a lot.”

BY EDITORIAL TEAM

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orn to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, Antonio Reynoso, who considers himself a Caribbean man, commenced his political career over a decade ago, backed with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He knows how to engage with community members through his earlier experiences as a Community Organizer for NYC ACORN, before joining

Antonio Reynoso. Photo courtesy Reynoso Campaign

continued on page 2

Preparing For An Emergency With An Elderly Parent ....11

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards with the workers.

A

coalition of food service workers was joined on May 27, by elected officials and UFCW Local 2013, to call on DO & CO NY, a leading airline catering company that prepares gourmet food for primarily international flights, to immediately restore seniority rights and benefits for over 40 employees who were laid off during the pandemic but are now being recalled as the economy reopens.

In a press conference held in front of DO & CO NY’s headquarters in Jamaica, Queens, the workers denounced that the company is being unfair and abusive by refusing to grant its workers called back since last Fall, and to be recalled going forward, immediate reinstatement of seniority rights and benefits, following layoff during the pandemic. These loyal employees who previously worked there from 1 to 8 years are instead being continued on page 15

ELECTIONS 2021

2 Borough-wide Approach A borough-wide approach to addressing infrastructure issues such as limiting the construction of waste stations in lowincome communities of color is an approach he intends to explore in addressing some of the challenges faced in the borough. Reynoso believes that when issues and solutions are uncoordinated, inequities grow.

Reynoso feels that economic inequality is an injustice and is committed to putting an end to it.

Antonio Reynoso/ from page 1 Track Record While representing City Council District 34, he has focused on issues of transportation, especially transit, environmental justice, and police accountability. He also chaired various committees, including Sanitation and Solid Waste Management.

He considers himself an outspoken activist for ambitious and bold reforms, such as challenging policies that encourage police brutality. As a City Council member, he called for greater police accountability and reallocation of funds.

He has said, “New Yorkers are sick and tired of hollow promises – we need real action so that no family is forced to endure another tragedy at the hands of the police….”

Issues and Plans for the Boorugh Convinced of his ability to make a significant difference, City Council Member believes he can deliver if elected as the next Borough President of Brooklyn because of his knowledge and understanding of the main issues that can make a difference. He intends to focus on land use and development issues, minority health equity, immigration, diversifying community boards, promoting infrastructural policies that will benefit more working people, and limiting policies

Antonio Reynoso speaks at a rally commemorating the life and legacy of George Floyd.Photo: Reynoso Campaign

that quickly affect minority groups.

Specifically, he is determined to creating health equity for Black women who have endured poor health outcomes over the years. In his view, he wants to address discussions on Black women’s health during childbirth. He considers it one of the most significant forms of inequities in New York City, particularly in Brooklyn.

Reynoso also plans to advocate for comprehensive planning legislation, including providing technical assistance to community boards. What’s more, he plans to strongly encourage community participation and apply a holistic approach to the borough’s development strategy rather than the imposed rezoning and the use of blocks of development strategy.

Child of Immigrants As a child of immigrants and with such a diverse immigrant population in Brooklyn, Reynoso is very conscious of immigrants’ challenges. As Borough President of Brooklyn, he plans to set up a pro-bono legal service to assist with critical issues, such as Temporary Protective Status (TPS).

On education, Reynoso opposes any increase in the charter school cap because he feels that there are some fundamental issues of concern, such as the double standard that is obtainable in charter and not public schools.

Reynoso believes in and strongly supports public transit. For example, he supports the building of more dedicated busways, bike-riding, and building protected bike lanes for riders, and he will be expanding both plans if elected.

Endorsements For all his ideas and convictions, a combination of notable people in the progressive organizations, elected officials, and community members has endorsed him.

Some public figures and colleagues include City Council Members like Helen Rosenthal, Margaret Chin, and Brad Lander. State Senators Julia Salazar and Jessica Ramos have also endorsed his ambition.

Additionally, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Assembly members Marcela Mitaynes and Maritza Davila, and former New York governor candidate Cynthia Nixon also support him.

Terrence Floyd (brother of George Floyd), Victoria Davis (sister of Delrawn Small), who are victims of police brutality, also supports his ambition and groups like the Working Families Party, Make the Road Action, and the New Kings Democrats. l

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5/24/21 2:55 PM 5/24/21

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TIME FOR ACTION

On Immigration, Biden Regains His Footing

BY AMERICA’S VOICE

Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip

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resident Biden seems to have his immigration mojo back. After a flurry of pro-immigrant policymaking in the early days of the Biden administration, the right wing media-driven “Biden border crisis” storyline hit the front pages. The “Biden border crisis” was always overblown and overhyped, but it did slow the administration down as they focused on processing unaccompanied minors in a safe, humane and orderly way.

In the last three weeks, however, the administration has made significant progress in managing the arrivals at the southern border, and is back on the front foot on immigration.

•TPS has been granted to 150,000 Haitians in America, a huge win in a campaign led by Black immigrant leaders and groups.

•DHS announced the closing of two notorious detention centers, including the Irwin, Georgia facility that engaged in unwanted hysterectomies and the forced sterilization of healthy young women.

•First Lady Dr. Jill Biden spoke at the virtual commencement ceremony for 1,000 graduates of the TheDream.US, the largest college scholarship provider for Dreamers.

•President Biden met with six DACA recipients in the Oval Office and called

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

President Biden Editorial credit: Stratos Brilakis / Shutterstock.com

on Congress to enact legislation to legalize millions.

•President Biden lifted the refugee cap to 62,500, as originally promised, after an earlier hesitation caused huge blowback from Democrats and pro-immigrant advocates.

•DHS began reuniting families ripped apart by the Trump administration in the United States.

•The administration cancelled border wall contracts and the diversion of appropriated funds related to the border wall.

•Biden revoked a Trump policy – a Stephen Miller special – that required nearly all immigrants to demonstrate private health insurance coverage in order to be admitted – a backdoor maneuver to slash legal immigration levels.

According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice: The Biden administration is regaining its footing on immigration. It’s a reminder of why elections matter. It revives hope that we will be able to move forward to build a fair, humane and functional immigration system and enact transformative legislation that puts millions on pathways to citizenship.

Of course there is a lot more to do, including lifting Title 42 restrictions, restoring asylum, extending TPS to other nationalities from Africa and Central America, and reforming and reducing our nation’s bloated detention and deportation machinery, in addition to winning citizenship for millions.

The Biden administration is back on offense. Now is the time to put the pedal to the metal.l

ICYMI: Secretaries Buttigieg and Walsh Highlight Need for Immigration Reform

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TEAM Publisher I.Q. INC.

n Washington, DC, Secretary Buttigieg and Mary Kay Henry, International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), hosted an immigration roundtable discussion with 32BJ SEIU’s airport workers at Reagan National Airport (DCA).

In the roundtable, essential workers discussed their unique experiences as immigrants, the ways in which they have risked their lives during the pandemic, and the urgent need for a pathway to citizenship. An estimated 20,000 SEIU members are TPS holders; emphasizing why passing permanent protections is

not only vital for immigrant communities, but key to our nation’s ability to recover from the pandemic. As Secretary Buttigieg has noted, “We’ve got a lot more work to do and we know that includes comprehensive immigration package that the [Biden/Harris Administration] has proposed- including a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants, an expedited path for farmworkers, for Dreamers, and for those with temporary protected status and good policies that address the root cause of migration in Central America.”

And in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ,

Secretary Walsh met with immigrant workers, business and labor leaders, and state and local officials to discuss the American Jobs Plan, and highlight how solid immigration policy is intrinsically connected to our country’s economic recovery.

As Secretary Walsh made clear during yesterday’s event, “This Administration knows that the fight for immigrant rights and the fight for workers’ rights are the same. In order to build an inclusive workforce and economy, we need to value and protect the rights of immigrant workers.” l (FWD.us)

Visit www.ijlef.org www.falaw.us www.cawnyc.com www.workersworldtoday.com Volunteering at THE IMMIGRANT'S JOURNAL LEGAL & EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC. Internship positions available throughout the year.

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.

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IIMMIGRANTS’ CONCERNS

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ICE Spread COVID-19 Across the Country, Not Just in Immigration Detention Centers

BY KATE GOETTEL

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.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) mishandled the coronavirus outbreak in detention centers so badly that it not only lead to horrific conditions and deaths among people in its custody, it is also responsible for the spread of COVID-19 in surrounding areas.

A recent New York Times investigation emphasized that ICE’s practice of transferring thousands of people around the country during the pandemic was responsible for the increased spread of COVID19 in communities with detention centers in them. A lack of testing, inability for people in detention to socially distance or take other precautionary measures, and inconsistent tracking all contributed to outbreaks of the virus.

ICE has reported over 12,000 cases of COVID-19 inside its facilities since the pandemic began. But the numbers are likely much higher, as in the early months of the pandemic ICE officials refused to test many people out of fear that an outbreak would require them to release people. Infection rates in immigration detention centers have been 20 times higher than the national average

and 5 times higher than prisons.

The consequences of ICE’s inaction were devastating, fueling cases in both detention centers and the communities that surround them. But despite these clear consequences, ICE resisted major changes throughout the pandemic, leading to federal judges ruling that ICE had been deliberately indifferent to the health of those it was detaining in certain detention centers.

Earlier in May, DHS Secretary Mayorkas terminated the contract of one such facility in Bristol, Massachusetts, citing the fact that only 7 people were being detained there, as well as the facil-

ity’s history of abusive conditions. DHS also announced plans to discontinue the use of the notorious Irwin detention center in Ocilla, Georgia that is the subject of ongoing investigations relation to egregious medical abuse.

The new investigation makes clear that ICE should be quickly drawing down the number of individuals in its custody and safely releasing more people to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and has had the lawful discretion to do so since well before the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Unfortunately, the opposite is happening. ICE detention numbers have been increasing since President Biden’s inauguration, topping 22,000 people as of May 21, 2021. This is nearly a 50% increase from the end of President Trump’s time in office.

With detention numbers increasing, and the knowledge that ICE’s actions have made detention centers epicenters for the spread of COVID-19, DHS still has no plan to widely vaccinate people in detention. Vaccination efforts have instead been left up to local governments.

At a recent hearing in front of Congress, Acting ICE Director Tae Johnson testified that just 20% of people in ICE deten-

tion have been vaccinated, a rate far lower than the rest of the country.

Members of the Colorado congressional delegation are trying to change these disturbing trends, introducing a bi-cameral bill to restrict ICE’s ability to transfer people between detention centers. The bill would also require detention centers to release people if CDC guidelines cannot be met.

This is the only humane solution to the dangers immigration detention poses to communities, particularly in the time of COVID-19. Advocates have been calling for DHS to increase its use of alternatives to detention–particularly communitybased programs. Data indicate that detention is not necessary to ensure that an immigrant will appear for court.

Over a year into an historic pandemic, the largest immigration detention system in the world still does not have a plan to keep the people in its custody and in surrounding communities safe. The rising number of people in detention is of significant concern. DHS can and should release people from detention and continue to close detention centers to avoid continuing to spread this deadly disease.l

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IIMMIGRANTS’ CONCERNS

5

It’s Time to End Title 42

BY REBEKAH WOLF

O

ne policy first created by the Trump administration is responsible for the greatest restriction on access to our immigration system for asylum seekers than any other. It provides no meaningful opportunity for people caught in the policy to request humanitarian protection. Yet four months into the Biden administration, this policy is still in effect.

The policy is called “Title 42,” a reference to the section of an old U.S. public health law that allows the government to “prevent the introduction” into the United States of anyone who may be responsible for “spreading disease.”

In March 2020, the Trump administration pressured the CDC—against its own medical experts’ opinions—to implement an order under Title 42. The order targets all migrants who enter across a land border, even those who are already in the U.S. and who want to ask for protection. The directive was renewed in October 2020 and remains in effect today.

On its face and in its implementation, the CDC’s order reveals that the true intention of the policy was not to prevent

NYC, YOU’RE RIGHT, YOU SHOULD KNOW!

Editorial credit: 4kclips / Shutterstock.com

the spread of COVID-19, but to close the land borders almost completely to asylum seekers. The premise of the order is that people “who would otherwise be introduced into a congregant setting in a land Port of Entry (POE) or Border Patrol station” are prohibited from entering to stop the spread of COVID-19.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) have expelled individuals over 700,000 times since Title 42 began. In many cases, however, the expulsion is not immediate. People sometimes spend weeks or months in detention before being expelled. Additionally, the Mexican state of Tamaulipas—which neighbors the Rio Grande and Texas— began to refuse to accept families with

small children forced back into Mexico under Title 42.

In response, CBP began the use of socalled “lateral flights.” CBP put migrants on airplanes from the Rio Grande Valley to San Diego or El Paso, where they were then expelled into Mexico at an unfamiliar city hundreds of miles away from where they entered. These policies are exactly the kind of congregant settings the Title 42 order was supposedly intended to avoid.

Recently, the Biden administration announced that they would be implementing a policy to identify particularly vulnerable individuals for exemptions from Title 42. But this process, while a step in the right direction, will only apply

to a small number of people. It is also unclear as of now how a person can request one of these exemptions. This is insufficient to ensure that all people have reasonable access to the asylum process in this country.

Over a year ago, the Trump administration misused an outdated public health law to “trump” the United States’ own laws designed to protect asylum seekers. With the country’s evolving knowledge of how COVID-19 is spread, no legitimate public health justification for its continuation, and the wide range of alternatives to detention that are available, Title 42 should be ended immediately.l

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5/13/21 3:22 PM 5/13/21

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CIIVL RIGHTS

Senate Confirms Kristen Clarke as First Woman — and First Black Woman — to Lead the Civil Rights Division

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n Tuesday, May 25, 2021, history was made. Kristen Clarke was confirmed as the first woman and first woman of color to lead the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice. Clarke’s career was launched in the office that she now leads. She personally prosecuted crimes based on hatred and bigotry, human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault.

She has served at two of the nation’s oldest civil rights organizations, where she worked on everything from voting rights to equal education and employment. At the Department of Justice, she will continue advancing civil rights progress, including on police reform. With her mom Pansy Clarke holding a bible, Clarke was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC. New York Attorney General Letitia James celebrated the confirmation of Kristen Clarke to lead the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division. Clarke becomes the first Black woman nominated and confirmed to lead the division. Earlier in her career,

Kristen Clarke. Editorial credit: Wikipedia, Creative Common License

Clarke led the Civil Rights Bureau in the Office of the New York Attorney General.

“Kristen Clarke is a true public servant who has dedicated her career to bettering the lives of others, and, following today’s bipartisan vote to confirm her nomination, that selfless work will continue,” said Attorney General James. “Kristen’s a first-generation American who has broken barriers throughout her life and did so again today, and I am confident that she will refocus the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division on fighting for all marginalized communities throughout this nation.

From the beginning, the Biden-Harris Administration has shown its deep commitment to inclusivity and diversity, and has made the nomination of qualified individuals a cornerstone of its picks. I have no doubt that putting the Civil Rights Division in Kristen’s capable hands will continue that tradition.”

The bipartisan vote in the United States Senate confirmed Clarke by a vote of 5148.

Washington Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the

following statement after the Senate’s bipartisan vote confirming Kristen Clarke as assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice: “This is an historic, important moment for our nation as Kristen Clarke becomes the first woman, and notably, the first Black woman, confirmed to lead the Civil Rights Division. In this crucial role, Clarke will no doubt continue her lifelong commitment fighting tirelessly for equal justice under the law for every individual in this country, including people of color facing racial and sex discrimination, LGBTQ people, and religious minorities targeted because of their faith. The Justice Department is in superb hands as it continues to restore its role as chief enforcer of our civil rights.”

In February, The Leadership Conference released a letter signed by more than 100 civil and human rights organizations in support of Clarke’s nomination. A wide range of leaders and organizations have also submitted letters of support. l

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FAMILY MATTERS

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How to Raise a Healthy Eater at Every Stage of Childhood learning. Engage their natural curiosity in the world around them by planting a small vegetable, fruit or herb garden for your tiny chefs to tend to ─ it can be as simple as a windowsill garden.

Gardening helps children understand where healthy, nutritious foods come from. Plus, children are more likely to eat what they’ve grown, which means more fruit and veggies in their diets.

D

aily food choices can have a profound impact on overall health and well-being. Not only do healthy dietary patterns help maintain good health, but they also reduce the risk of chronic diseases throughout all stages of life.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, and nutrition experts agree it is vital to establish healthy eating habits early and maintain them throughout childhood.

“Research shows toddlers who eat a wide variety of foods are more likely to carry those habits into adulthood, so it’s important to introduce and reinforce healthy eating habits from the time a child starts to eat solid foods,” said Courtney Hines, KinderCare Learning Centers’ registered dietitian. “In fact, the first two years of a child’s life are often referred to as ‘the golden window’ because this is when kids are most open to trying new foods and flavors. By encouraging variety and healthy eating early in life, parents and families can dramatically reduce picky eating habits

many toddlers and children develop over time while also helping their children develop balanced relationships with food they’ll carry with them into adulthood.”

Consider these tips and tricks to try at home with kids of all ages to build healthy eating habits and excitement around trying new foods.

Babies When babies are ready for solid foods, be sure to expose them to a wide variety of whole, unprocessed foods with varying flavors and textures. Start with soft foods like mashed potatoes, avocados, cooked rice and bananas until your children are

ready for firmer solids.

Toddlers Toddlers who turn up their noses at veggies or fruit may be more open-minded if they’re an active participant in mealtime prep. Ask your children to pick one new fruit or vegetable and agree that you’ll both taste it. Asking your children to describe the appearance, texture, taste and smell of the food can also be a fun way to build vocabulary.

Preschoolers Around the 2- or 3-year mark, children become interested in investigating and

School-agers The kitchen is chock-full of learning opportunities for all ages. School-agers can work on their math skills as they measure ingredients for recipes.

“Cooking together also gives parents an opportunity to talk about nutrition in terms children can understand,” Hines said. “For example, carbohydrates, like bread, provide energy for our bodies and brains. When we eat carbohydrates, our bodies store them for later. That’s why we’re having whole-grain pancakes for breakfast, so you have the energy you need to fuel your brain and body all morning.”l (FamilyFeatures)

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BIDEN ADMINISTRATION

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Vice President Harris Launches a Call to Action to the Private Sector to Deepen Investment in the Northern Triangle

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n her role overseeing diplomatic efforts within El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (the “Northern Triangle”), and with Mexico, Vice President Kamala Harris announced on May 27 a Call to Action for businesses and social enterprises to make new, significant commitments to help send a signal of hope to the people of the region and sustainably address the root causes of migration by promoting economic opportunity. As part of this Call to Action launch, 12 companies and organizations announced commitments to support inclusive economic development in the Northern Triangle, including: Accion, Bancolombia, Chobani, Davivienda, Duolingo, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Mastercard, Microsoft, Nespresso, Pro Mujer, the Tent Partnership for Refugees, and the World Economic Forum.

Our comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of migration will involve significant commitments of U.S. government resources to support the long-term development of the region—including efforts to foster economic opportunity, strengthen governance, combat corruption, and improve security. This approach will leverage commitments and resources from the governments in the Northern Triangle, as well as partnerships with multilateral development banks and international financial institutions.

Supporting the long-term development of the region, and in the Western Hemisphere more broadly, will require more than just the resources of the U.S. government. For this reason, Vice President Harris is calling on the private sector to draw on its unique resources and expertise to make commitments to support inclusive economic growth in the Northern Triangle. Together, we can work to overcome obstacles to investment, promote economic opportunity,

productivity and crop resilience.

•Climate Adaptation and Clean Energy – Commitments to support the region’s resilience to climate change through adaptation and mitigation efforts; support industries impacted by climate change; and transition to clean energy.

•Education and Workforce Development – Commitments to expand job-training programs; support greater access to technical and secondary education; and create higher paying formal sector jobs, especially for women and in rural areas.

Vice President Harris. Editorial credit: NumenaStudios / Shutterstock.com

and support long-term development in the region. The Administration looks forward to increased collaboration with private companies—U.S., foreign, and local in the Northern Triangle and Latin America more broadly—to build upon this Call to Action in the months and years to come.

tunity. As part of the broader strategy, this Call to Action aims to generate new commitments from businesses and social enterprises in six focus areas with an emphasis on supporting vulnerable populations, including women and youth, in the Northern Triangle region. These focus areas include:

U.S. Government Long-Term Commitments and Call to Action Focus Areas This Call to Action is one component under the U.S. government’s comprehensive, long-term strategy to address barriers to investment and to promote economic opportunity in the Northern Triangle. Just as government action alone will not be enough to achieve meaningful outcomes, private sector commitments will be facilitated and supported by strong U.S. government initiatives to address longstanding impediments to investment-led growth. Under our broader strategy, near-term private sector commitments will be mutually reinforced by sustained U.S. government efforts to foster a business-enabling environment, increased private sector investment, and sustainable economic growth and oppor-

•Reform Agenda – Commitments to support greater transparency, predictability, and stability in the business enabling environment by facilitating regional government efforts to adopt international best practices in licensing, permitting, procurement, regulation, and taxation.

•Digital and Financial Inclusion – Commitments to expand affordable internet access and participation in the digital economy; facilitate access to financial technologies and capital for small businesses, particularly women- and indigenous-owned businesses; and ensure that the most vulnerable and the most likely to migrate have access to basic public services and financial institutions.

•Food Security and Climate-smart Agriculture – Commitments to combat food shortages by increasing agricultural

•Public Health Access – Commitments to support regional governments in addressing the impact of COVID-19 on their populations; build robust and resilient health economies to confront future health challenges; support access to clean water and sanitation; and ensure inclusive access to healthcare.

The Partnership for Central America is a non-profit organization that was developed in support of the Vice President’s Call to Action. The Partnership aims to coordinate practical solutions to advance economic opportunity, address urgent climate, education and health challenges, and promote long-term investments and workforce capability in support a vision of hope for Central America.

The Administration and the Partnership welcome additional commitments to join this initiative and promote economic opportunity in the Northern Triangle.

Vice President Harris invites interested parties to get involved by contacting the State Department Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at jointhecall@state.gov.

In addition, the Partnership for Central America can be reached at support @centampartnership.org.l

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Source: whitehouse.gov

HOW TO GET A GREEN CARD

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Haitian Nationals Win/ continued from page 1 countries that are experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or some other “extraordinary and temporary conditions” that make those countries unsafe. Individuals who qualify for TPS can obtain protections from deportation for as long as the TPS designation is in effect. They also receive permission to work in the United States.

Haiti was first designated for TPS in January 2010 following a catastrophic earthquake that devastated the country.

The TPS designation was extended several times after that in response to other disasters, including a deadly cholera epidemic and widespread damage caused by hurricanes.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced the new TPS designation for Haiti on May 22. He explained the designation by pointing out that: “Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty, and lack of basic resources, which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The designation allows Haitian nationals who were residing in the United States as of May 21 to file an application for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The application must be filed within a speci-

New York, NY - November 8, 2020: Members of Haitian women for Haitian refugees organization rally for restoration of TPS and permanent status for refugees from Haiti on Ocean AvenuEditorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

fied registration period that will begin when the new TPS designation is published in the Federal Register.

As many as 150,000 Haitians currently living in the United States could receive TPS under the new designation.

Haitians are the latest group to benefit from the Biden administration’s restoration of TPS protections for vulnerable populations. These protections had been systematically attacked during the Trump administration. For years, Trump had tried to end TPS for the nationals of El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Sudan as well as Haiti.

Since the beginning of the Biden administration, Myanmar, Venezuela, and Syria also have been designated for TPS.

Currently, the following countries are designated for TPS: •Myanmar •El Salvador •Haiti •Honduras •Nepal •Nicaragua •Somalia •Sudan •South Sudan •Syria •Venezuela •Yemen Some of these countries only have TPS designations because efforts by the Trump administration to terminate those designations have been challenged in

court. The Biden administration will have to redesignate TPS for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan before their current designations expire.

Many recipients of TPS have lived in the United States for decades and have families and careers that are firmly rooted in this country. As a result, they need a more permanent solution to their immigration status than the redesignation of TPS for their home countries. The Dream and Promise Act of 2021 would accomplish this by creating a pathway to U.S. citizenship for most beneficiaries of TPS. The Dream and Promise Act was passed by the House of Representatives on March 18, though its future in the Senate is uncertain.l

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GENERATIONS

11

Preparing For An Emergency With An Elderly Parent adult child may want to consider a durable power of attorney form. A durable power of attorney authorization is more encompassing than just a general power of attorney, as the durable power of attorney extends if the parent becomes totally incapacitated or passes away.

Having a durable power of attorney will authorize the adult child to make almost all medical, legal and financial decisions, including those needed after a parent dies.

BY JANET HOWARD

A

ging parents create a dilemma for their adult children. They want to live as independently as possible, but inevitably the time will come where they will experience a medical emergency. Adult children need information to help manage medical and financial needs, and it's always easier to have the information on hand before the emergency. The added stress of finding needed documents in the midst of an emergency can be avoided with just a bit of planning in advance. These conversations may be difficult to initiate, but will save everyone anxiety in the midst of a crisis.

Document Copies When talking with aging parents, ask for a copy of important documents to keep on hand. Critical documents include a driver's license, social security card, medical insurance card and banking information. Having copies of these documents will make it infinitely easier for an adult child to get information from medical facilities during an emergency.

Almost all agencies and offices will give a child information if he or she can pro-

vide date of birth and social security number. Many insurance companies will also provide information in an emergency as long as this information is provided. At a minimum, adult children should have copies of these documents to be able to respond quickly in an emergency.

In addition to these critical documents, adult children may want to have account information of utility companies, car payment information, home and insurance information, employment information (including supervisor name and phone number) and any other regular expenses. While this information is not

critical for coordinating care, addressing these areas will help maintain a parent's good employment and financial status.

Power of Attorney Forms As medical issues become more frequent or severe, adult children may want to consider power of attorney forms. The most limited power of attorney is a medical power of attorney, which will allow the adult child to make medical decisions for the elderly parent. However, a medical power of attorney authorization will not allow an adult child to make financial or legal decisions for the parent. If these authorizations are likely to be needed, an

Advance Medical Directives and Living Wills While no one wants to discuss death with an elderly parent, it's important to have the conversation while the parent is healthy and competent. A parent can give details on how he or she wants medical care to proceed in an emergency or terminal condition. In addition to discussing wishes, an aging parent can also create an advance medical directive or living will, both of which set out in writing guidelines for medical care boundaries.

Having this document in writing and notarized will be invaluable when dealing with hospital or hospice staff during continued on page 12

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JOBS & RECESSION

12

How the USO Prepares Service Members for Civilian Careers

M

ore than 200,000 American men and women in uniform complete their service and transition out of the military each year.

The shift to civilian life – especially the search for a new career – can be challenging for many. Veterans often struggle to translate their skills and experiences into qualifications for a civilian role and may encounter stereotypes impacting their ability to be hired.

To overcome these challenges, the USO works with military families through its Pathfinder Transition Program, which provides professional development services support throughout the service member or military spouse’s career, as well as when they settle back into civilian life.

Here are some of the ways the USO helps service members plan their next career move: Pathfinder Action Plans USO Transition Specialists work one-onone with Pathfinder program participants to identify their personal and professional goals and develop individualized action plans that provide a roadmap for achieving them. These action plans also help participants identify and take full

Photo Source: (c) USO Photos

advantage of services and resources in the areas of employment, education, financial readiness and mentorship that are the best fit for their needs.

Transition to the Trades The USO offers periodic webinars to help educate service members and their spouses about career opportunities in

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various industries, including the skilled trades. Recent webinars with Lowe’s Home Improvement highlighted careers and benefits of working in the electrical field, appliance repair, plumbing and the HVAC industry. More than 150 men and women participated in the webinars, with many indicating they would further consider career opportunities in the trades.

Elderly Parents/ from page 11 a medical crisis. Be sure that all regular medical providers have a copy of any advance medical directives and living wills. It's also important to have 3-5 dated and notarized copies on hand if they are needed during medical emergencies.

Wills and Estate Planning Everyone should have a will, even if the person has few or no assets. Wills shorten the probate process, as well as make it easier to close bank accounts, sell real estate and divide furniture and other personal property. Without a will, all estate decisions will be decided by the probate court. With a will, families will not be faced with squabbles over assets in the midst of the grief of losing a loved one.

If an aged parent has heirlooms or sentimental furniture, jewelry or other items, a will and detailed estate plan will eliminate confusion as to which heir is to receive which property.

As the number of elderly Americans grows exponentially, the need for planning for medical, legal and financial issues becomes even more important. It's so important to talk with older parents before a crisis emerges to be sure all aspects are in place. A few difficult conversations now will save hours of grief and heartache in the middle of a medical emergency.l

Professional Development Workshops Other webinars help transitioning service members hone networking and other skills that can lead to their next career.

The USO’s Transition Talks sessions cover topics such as navigating LinkedIn and leveraging its networking opportunities as well as building a stand-out resume for federal job opportunities.

Sessions also include training and certification programs and are available to service members and their spouses.

Google IT Support Professional Certificate Through a partnership with Google, the Pathfinder Transition Program also incorporates the Google IT Support Professional Certificate for service members, veterans and military spouses. The eight-month certificate program provides participants with the skills and experience needed to qualify for entry-level IT support positions, helping them launch a new career in an in-demand field. After earning their certificate, participants are connected to a consortium of national employers hiring IT candidates.

To learn more and sign up for the USO Pathfinder Transition Program, visit USO.org/programs/uso-pathfinder-transition-program.

Service members and military spouses who are transitioning out of the military have years of employment and unique life experiences. Thanks to programs designed to support them during this time, they are better able to successfully launch post-military careers. l(StatePoint)

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We Speak NYC Conversation Classes are now online!

We Speak NYC (WSNYC), developed by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, is an Emmy Award-winning English language learning program for intermediate level learners.

WSNYC provides civic-focused instruction through videos, education materials, community conversation classes, an interactive website, and now, in response to COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, We Speak NYC is offering online conversation classes!

Participants can register to be a part of an online community and safely meet people, learn about NYC services, and practice their English conversation skills with peers. Each class covers information on important topics such as workers' rights, healthcare, and workforce development.

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WELCOME TO AMERICA

15 Coalition calls on leading provider of catering service for airlines, hotels and airports, to immediately restore all seniority rights and benefitsto recalled staff, as pandemic lifts and the economy reopens.

Labor Abuse in Queens/ from page 1 recalled as new hires, with no accrued seniority nor benefits.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, City Council Member Adrianne Adams and UFCW Local 2013 representatives, among other leaders, attended the press conference and called on the company to stop this unfair labor practices that penalize dozens of hardworking New Yorkers at a time of highneed and a major global crisis that no one could foresee. A statement from Local 2013 President Louis Mark Carotenuto was delivered to the workers. In March 2021, DO & CO received a $2 million PPP Loan from the government, intended for employee pay and benefits due to the pandemic.

“While nobody could’ve imagined just how long the impact of this pandemic would have on the country and the world, we are finally seeing businesses return to some semblance of normal and DO & CO NY has begun to recall our members.... unfortunately, however, they are doing so in a way that not only takes advantage of these workers - it kicks them while they’re down,” Local 2013 President Carotenuto said in his statement. “DO & CO needs to restore the seniority of each and every recalled worker who was laid off as a result of the COVID19 Pandemic and they need to do so now!”

At the time of the layoffs due to

Workers at the location.

COVID-19-related closings, DO & CO NY’s guaranteed the reinstatement of seniority rights and benefits for a sevenmonth recall – which at the time was an estimation of how long the pandemic and related-closures might last. Workers and leaders at the press conference emphasized that at the time of the seven-month recall agreement, no one knew what loomed ahead with the pandemic, and now, 14 months into the crisis, it is not fair that these employees should suffer for a longer than could possibly be expected pandemic-layoff timeframe.

“It’s not our fault, we didn’t quit or leave – it was the pandemic,” said Bibi Roopnerine, who worked at DO & CO for 5 years in Logistics.

Bibi was laid off in July 2020, and the company called her back to work in September. Yet upon expressing health concerns about returning to work still

during the peak of the pandemic, she was told that not returning to work due to health concerns would not affect her employment because it would be considered a “furlough.” She was recalled again in March 2021 and upon returning to work, she had to fill-out paperwork as a new employee. Bibi now has to wait a year before she can go on vacation with her family. Her kids have been cooped up all year due to the pandemic and were all looking forward to traveling together.

Liliana Bermudez-Garcia, who started to work at DO & CO in May 2018, said: “I’m frustrated because I lost my vacation days and my annuity contribution. I am sad to now only have one week of vacation again, to spend with my children. It is not fair to lose our rights because of a pandemic that is not our fault.”

Liliana was laid off during the pandem-

ic and was called to return to work at 7 months into the layoff, but by then, she was 8-months pregnant, and the company suggested that it would not make sense for her to return to work to enter maternity leave in a matter of weeks.

The workers, mainly immigrants from local communities, ended the press conference with a chant vowing that they will do all they can in partnership with UFCW Local 2013, local elected officials and community leaders, to have their seniority rights benefits immediately restored, and send a powerful signal to other employers in New York and across the nation who might intend to use the COVID-19 pandemic to unfairly and even unlawfully, take away workers’ seniority rights and benefits that were accrued before the pandemic hit in March 2020.l

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LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

16

Accountability for Abusive Partners

BY LINDA NWOKE SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL

W

hen an individual experiences domestic violence, the nearest persons around will claim they are offering support to the victimsurvivor of abuse. However, when the abuser is a friend or a family member, several explanations and justifications can result in victim blame, or the victim will hide the situation for fear of responsibility. A scenario that researchers have shown does not happen if they do not know the people involved personally.

It takes a lot for a victim of domestic abuse to come forward with their story.

Often, it is because of the fear of unbelief, taken seriously, or ridiculed- the fear of becoming a subject of gossip and unfair judgment. Sometimes, the situation becomes complicated by the person’s circumstances and the nature of the story, resulting in a lot of effort, deliberation, time, and conviction for the victim to take the first step.

Upon crossing the first hurdle of starting the journey of escape, the victim often confronts other forms of challenges, including systemic abuse. It is a known fact that there is a history of irregular actions in the criminal justice sys-

tem, which can deter the victim from seeking help. There are cases of women who sought help from the criminal justice system and ended up losing their lives because the system worked against them.

Such stories and cases often influence the victim’s resolve to either seek help or endure the abuse for a long time. More often than not, the person affected by abuse can choose to have the abuser removed from their life rather than through the criminal justice system.

Invariably, individual differences

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ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

always play a role in choosing the coping method employed to handle the situation and respected, by the support group of family, friends, and professional help, especially during the therapy. Support can come in various forms, from something as simple as listening, believing, being there, and explaining to other people when they need to. It can take the form of physical, spiritual, or psychological support. Still, whatever form it takes, it is a much-needed help confirmed by Angelina Rosado, the Director of the Returning Hope Organization, dedicated to empowering survivors and educating the next generation. She shared some experiences over the years working with people in the system.

During the virtual town hall discussions organized by the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, she shares some of the feelings experienced by victim-survivors.

According to her, some of the victimsurvivors feel traumatized going through the system when seeking help. They feel shut down and can develop depression while going through the motions. Besides dealing with the abuse from home, there are also abusers in the system.

Sometimes, the workers - social workers, the house workers, treat the victims without respect.

She recollected taking action and saying,” …No enough is enough. Who in God’s name do I talk to about this because this idea is not acceptable? I remember going to the shelter director and speaking to her. I sat down with her.

I didn’t even know it is allowed. I never knew much about the shelter system. But I knew that what was happening wasn’t okay, and someone had to speak up to it.

I learned a whole bunch of things from this woman. I learned that many of them are adequately trained; needless to say, they did not like that. Abusers do not like being called out. They don’t appreciate you telling them that what they are doing is wrong.”

However, it proved that what is required to support survivors of domestic, sexual, or emotional abuse is to keep their abusers accountable for their actions, regardless of who they are, including friends. Sometimes, being

faced with the reality that a close or distant friend could harm a person is hard to believe and incapacitating. It could even be a partner, classmate, or workmate.

They could be another person’s abuser, which is hard to cope with, but focusing on one’s reactions rather than thinking about the survivor’s emotions about the abuse is unjust to the survivor and the abuser who, if left unaccountable, will continue in their ways.

These were some of the explanations given by Hailey Nolasco, MPA, an advocate for criminal justice reform in the NYC Crisis Management System.

Nolasco is presently working with the Center for Court Innovation, an organization that helps the court and communities respond creatively and effectively to domestic violence issues, sexual assault, among others.

She shared how they have learned from research and used those findings to provide community-based, research-based support to various communities across the country. They aim to enhance responses to domestic violence.

Part of the work is done through the support of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office, Violence Against Women, which is to use hands-on training and assistance, rejecting a one-sizefits-all approach in supporting victims and the abusers. The organization addresses domestic violence issues through training, services, and intervention for abusive partners who are not involved in the criminal justice system.

“The project focuses on creating community solutions to intimate partner violence, improving law enforcement responses to emotionally disturbed abusers without recourse to the criminal justice system,” she said.

While keeping abusers accountable is important and can be achieved in many different ways, ultimately, the goal is to support the survivor, whichever way they feel most comfortable to explore. Several organizations are working to provide the victim-survivor the necessary support they need to go through the journey.

The person should not be left with the sole decision to keep their abusers accountable. Despite the failings of the criminal justice system, they should know of the various options.

With the option not to use the criminal justice system to hold the abuser accountable, the victim-survivor requires a lot of support from people to bring healing, finding other means of having their abuser accountable. In this approach, it is essential to ask the survivor what they want, ask them to explain their feelings and expectations, always avoid insisting on an option that works for you but not for them.

According to Angelina Rosado, it is essential to remember that “Domestic Violence doesn’t have a gender attached to it. It doesn’thave a race attached to it.

I’m (we are) fighting a big monster with several different faces attached to it.”l

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HEALTH

17

Stop Suffering in Silence: Free Mental Health Services are Available for all New Yorkers

BY VICTORIA FALK SPECIAL TO JOURNAL

M

ay was Mental Health Awareness Month and a great time to encourage New Yorkers to get the help that they need.

Despite the stigma in communities of color around receiving mental health services, getting help is still the better option than trying it alone. Some people view seeking help as a sign of weakness.

However, quite the contrary, it is a sign of strength when someone is aware of their circumstances enough to know they need help and takes steps towards getting that help.

How do you know that you need help?

“During this pandemic, people have been separated from family and experiencing intense amounts of stress. It’s important for New Yorkers to be able to recognize signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression,” stated Dr. Torian Easterling during a community conversation on mental health. Someone may be experiencing one or more signs over a prolonged period. The following list is not all-inclusive.

However, it is a start to aid in the discussion of possible service needs. If any of these signs persist, you may need to seek mental health services: •Lack of interest in activities that used to bring you joy •Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much •Loss of appetite or overeating Increased desire and use of drugs and alcohol •Overwhelming feelings of sadness •Constant worry and anxiety over issues you cannot change

New York City’s First Lady, Chirlane McCray, and Dr. Torian Easterling have teamed up to bring the message about the importance and availability of free mental health services for all New Yorkers.

During recent public forums with community media, McCray stated, “We need your help to get the word out.” When The Immigrant’s Journal asked about the availability of services for immigrant populations, Ms. McCray answered, “These services are indeed for all New Yorkers, no matter their immigration status.

We do not want people from immigrant communities to be afraid to get the help they need. We want everyone to feel safe and comfortable to ask for help. Services are free, and you will not be asked for your ID.,” assured McCray. “During this pandemic, a record number of people have been suffering from anxiety and depression, “stated First Lady McCray, “…and we want New Yorkers to get the help they need.” “There are high rates of relapse for people suffering from alcohol and drug issues, and people who never reported using drugs and alcohol before are now relying heavily on drugs and

alcohol,” added Dr. Easterling.

Among those suffering during this pandemic, the city’s first responders, essential workers, and frontline medical workers were the doctors and nurses.

Mental health reports stated that “…if there is a bad outcome, they’re often blaming themselves, which further compounds their risk of depression and suicide.” There have even been reports of young children taking their lives. Mayor Bill de Blasio regrettably reported to the media, “there have been several deaths by suicides in recent weeks among New York City public school students…pointing to the pandemic for causing isolation and leading to the tragedies.” Suicide rates across the board have reportedly increased during the pandemic.

According to the New York City Health Department’s Health Opinion Poll, “health care workers, adults with children in the household, adults afraid of interpersonal violence due to actions or threats of a current or former partner and adults who have a family member with a chronic health condition are more likely continued on page 18

GET BACK TO FRIENDS

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and will help us all get back to the people and activities we have missed.

Get 琀e facts.

Get facts. Get Get 琀e vax. vax To get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines, visit nyc.gov/covidvaccine.

Visit nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) to find a vaccination site to get your COVID-19 vaccine.

Health

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Bill de Blasio Mayor Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc Commissioner

HEALTH

18

Keeping Your Prostate Happy & Healthy

Y

ou should know what your prostate is and what it does.

Over 30 million men suffer from prostate conditions that impact their quality of life. Each year over 230,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 30,000 will die from it.

What is the Prostate?

The prostate is a part of your sex organs that produce fluid and contributes to the production of sperm. It’s small, about the size of a walnut, and surrounds the urethra, a tube that takes urine from the bladder to the penis. The urethra also carries semen during ejaculation. The prostate gland grows during puberty and then doesn’t change much until about age 40. Then it begins growing again and may continue to grow with age.

Some men aren’t bothered by the growth, but others will develop one of three prostate diseases and sometimes, more than one.

Prostate Screening Tips According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), most

test, which can be abnormal (not normal) for several reasons besides prostate cancer.

The only way to know if an abnormal test is due to cancer is to do a biopsy. A biopsy is a surgery to get small pieces of the prostate to look at under a microscope. If the biopsy shows there are cancer cells, then your doctor will discuss treatment options.

prostate cancers found by screening are small and slow growing and may not be fatal. Some men may have a faster growing prostate cancer and will benefit from early treatment.

Older men, African-American men, and men who have a family history of prostate cancer have a greater risk for developing prostate cancer. If you are concerned that you may have a greater risk for prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about screening.

Screening for Prostate Cancer One screening test for prostate cancer is a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood

Treatment of prostate cancer may include: •Close monitoring and follow-up visits.

•Radiation.

•Surgery to remove the prostate.

Side effects from radiation or surgery may include: •Impotence.

•Loss of bladder control •Problems with your rectum.

Screening Recommendations Some medical groups have different screening recommendations.

Talk with your doctor or nurse to decide together if prostate cancer screening is right for you.l

Stop Suffering in Silence/ from page 17 to experience adverse mental health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Thus, it is imperative to do as New York City’s First Lady, Chirlane McCray, and Dr. Torian Easterling requested of community media and get the word out to all New Yorkers about free mental health services for all New Yorkers. “We are doing more for mental health. There will be mental health check-ins for adults and universal screening for all students returning to school in the fall.”

We have been working with faith-based leaders and community-based organizations to bring mental health services into communities where there has been a stigma around receiving mental health services, to help people feel more confident in them,” added McCray.

“It’s tough to take that first step, but the first step is most important. Take the first step,” McCray urges New Yorkers regarding seeking mental health services.

“Staff at vaccination sites are trained to talk to people to find out how they are doing and connect them to support,” added Dr. Easterling. “Services are free and confidential,” Dr. Easterling reassures New Yorkers.

If you or someone you know needs support or mental health services, dial 1888-NYC-WELL for crisis intervention counseling. Services are provided in over 200 languages.l

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

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