The Immigrant’s Journal - Vol. 142

The Immigrant’s Journal Vol. 142

Our leaders who stood for Unity & Justice

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Protecting God’s Children From Distant Lands

www.ijlef.org

July 2, 2021

26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY 11242 Tel: 718-243-9431 Fax: 718-222-3153 Email: immjournal @aol.com

The Dip in the US Birthrate Isn’t a Crisis, but the Fall in Immigration May Be

AG James Reminds New Yorkers of Child Tax Credit Payments Beginning July 15

BY ADRIAN RAFTERY THE CONVERSATION

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he U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in May 2021 that the nation’s total fertility rate had reached 1.64 children per woman in 2020, dropping 4% from 2019, a record low for the nation.

The news led to many stories about a “baby bust” harming the country. The fear is that if the trend continues, the nation’s population may age and that will

AG James. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

continued on page 11

Fast Food Worker Just Cause Job Protections Effective July 4

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EW YORK, NY: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Acting Commissioner Sandra Abeles today announced that the groundbreaking just cause law for fast food workers goes into effect on July 4 and that resources for employers and employees are now available. Under the new law, fast food employers cannot fire or lay off workers, or reduce their hours by more than 15 percent without just cause or a legitimate economic reason. The just cause

DCWP Acting Comissioner Abeles. Photo DCWP

law adds critical new job protections for fast food workers in addition to the existing fair scheduling protections under the City’s Fair Workweek Law. “For too long, fast food workers—a predominately minority and female workforce—have been treated as if they were disposable and yet they have been there for us on the frontlines throughout the pandemic,” said DCWP Acting Commissioner Sandra Abeles.

“These workers deserve better and no continued on page 2

Save Communities of Color By Getting Vaccinated .... 15

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EW YORK: New York Attorney General Letitia James today reminded New Yorkers that, starting July 15, 2021, families across New York will gain access to new, expanded child tax credit benefits.

Families with qualifying dependents could receive up to $300 monthly for each child under the age of 6, or $250 monthly for older dependents. Half of the total credit will arrive monthly between July and the end of 2021, and the rest of the amount will be included in tax refunds after 2021 filings are made next spring.

To help families through the process of receiving the funds, the IRS has opened up an online portal to make sure non-filers receive their first check on July 15.

“The expanded Child Tax Credit is an important resource for parents in the fight against child poverty,” said Attorney General James. “Children from our poorest communities bear the brunt of the financial impacts of the COVID19 pandemic that we’re still facing today.

I encourage all families who have experienced hardship during this crisis to take advantage of the tax relief.”l

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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Fast Food Worker Just Cause/from page 1 worker should be left jobless for unjust reasons – ever. This vital law will bring additional stability to the lives of these low-wage workers and ensure they can’t be fired on a whim.”

Under the new just cause law, fast food employers: •Cannot fire or reduce hours without just cause. Employers must give workers who passed their probation period retraining and an opportunity to improve and can only fire underperforming workers after giving them multiple disciplinary warnings in a year or for egregious misconduct.

•Cannot lay off current workers except for economic reasons. Layoffs must be in reverse order of seniority, with the longest-serving workers laid off last.

•Must give a written explanation for firing, reduction of hours, or layoff.

•Must give laid-off or current workers priority to work newly available shifts.

Employers must advertise open shifts on posters in the restaurant and by text or email. Employers can only hire new workers if no laid-off or current NYC workers accept the shifts by the posted deadline.

The just cause protections go into effect on July 4 and workers can immediately enforce their rights in court through a private right of action. DCWP will

Editorial credit: junpinzon / Shutterstock.com

begin enforcing the just cause law on September 2. Beginning in January 2022, workers also can request to resolve their complaints through binding arbitration by a DCWP administered panel of arbitrators.

Under the Fair Workweek Law, which went into effect in November 2017, fast food employers in New York City must also give workers regular, predictable general schedules, two weeks’ advance notice of their work schedules covering specific dates, premium pay of between $10-$75 for schedule changes, and the opportunity to work newly available shifts before hiring new workers. Fast food employers also cannot schedule workers for a morning shift the day after a night shift unless workers consent in writing and are paid a $100 premium to work the shift. Similarly, fast food employers must obtain workers’ written consent before adding any time to their

work schedules with less than two weeks’ notice and may not penalize them for declining to work. Under the Law, retail employers must also give workers advanced notice of work schedules and may not schedule workers for on-call shifts or change workers’ schedules with inadequate notice.

Fast food employers must post the new NYC Fast Food Workers’ Rights Notice in English and any language that is the primary language of at least five percent of the workers if available on the DCWP website. Employers and employees can visit nyc.gov/workers or call 311 (212NEW-YORK outside NYC) for the new Notice, which will soon be available in 16 languages, as well as an overview of the law, information about the required progressive discipline policy, templates, and soon-to-be added FAQs about the law. Starting this month, DCWP will be conducting a series of educational walks

and roundtables to educate workers and employers about the new protections.

32BJ SEIU President Kyle Bragg said, “The 175,000 members of 32BJ SEIU are proud to have fought alongside fast food workers to win historic just cause protections that will help turn fast food jobs into good jobs with stable hours.

The workers who keep New Yorkers fed shouldn’t have to worry about whether they’ll be able to put food on their own tables because they can be fired or have their hours cut for any reason or no reason at all. Just cause protections for fast food workers means that bosses can no longer use at-will employment to keep workers silent in the face of injustice.”

“The new Just Cause provision signifies a major boost to the protections that the tens of thousands of NYC fast food workers were enjoying under the local Fair Workweek Law,” said Maria Figueroa, Director of Labor and Policy Research at the Worker Institute, Cornell University-ILR School. “This new provision not only grants workers with protections against wrongful discharge, but also empowers them to exercise their workplace rights without fear of retaliation.

The enactment and implementation of Just Cause is an example of effective local level policymaking to achieve worker protections. The hope is that additional cities across the country will replicate this approach to improve labor standards in the fast food industry.”l

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TIME FOR ACTION

The Necessary Independence of Democrats and Republicans

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

BY MARIBEL HASTINGS AND DAVID TORRES, AMERICA’S VOICE

Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Anvar Sabirov

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he 245th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States this Fourth of July, the first since Donald J. Trump is not president, is a good time to reflect on how things are going as a country, as a society. But especially about where we are going and how the elected Democratic administration, after the traumatic management of Trump—and emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic—has the enormous challenge of producing palpable results on diverse issues.

This challenge is just, necessary, and urgent. Not for an easy way out of a set of promises, but as part of a commitment and a mission that is no longer located in the political realm, necessarily, but which has transcended into moral, humanitarian, and historic terrain.

We are not referring to the strict patriotic sense of the celebration of Independence but how, after these two facts that have marked us as a nation, the Trump presidency and the pandemic, it is time to free ourselves—that is, become independent—from the many walls that have impeded progress on so many things.

Let’s take, for example, the Democrats who took back the White House and Senate, by a close margin, and maintained the majority in the House of Representatives. Despite this, they continue to be involved in a fight against Republicans in order to advance the legislative agenda of President Joe Biden.

Yes, it’s true that there are rules in the Senate and that in an ideal world, measures would be approved in a bipartisan fashion for the common good. But we don’t live in this ideal world.

That is precisely why we have to keep our feet on the ground, at least in this moment in which we have to confront the possibility of historically transcending a presidential administration, which also offers the opportunity to engage in the most concrete application of power to serve the common good.

The steps Biden has taken, of course, seem to be in the right direction, elimi-

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nating in five months some of the barriers that had been imposed, for example, on immigrants to keep them from entering the country or, failing that, discouraging their attempts to seek refuge here.

But the biggest delay in this issue, the thing that has stolen the dream of millions of immigrant families over years, seems eternally stuck due to the ineffective political negotiations they have seen transpire over generations and generations of people hoping to be considered part of this society.

This pending matter, for example, is a litmus test for any government that considers social policies to be part of its most American essence, committed to their own history, their homeland.

It would be marvelous if the Democrats would declare their independence from the hesitations and fears that keep them from acting and recognizing the power that they have. Because they do have power. They should be freed from the negative influence that Republican pressure has over them. No matter that they are the minority, the Republicans continue acting like they are the majority.

On the migration issue, how beneficial it would be for the future to have a reform that would legalize eleven million people, that the Democrats overcome the paralysis that is created in them when the Republicans pronounce the magic words

“border security” as a prerequisite for any legislation. In reality it’s just the same old Republican song to obstruct and block progress.

This strategy is so obvious that it has even risen to the category of an insult to the nation’s intelligence. That is, it’s an insult like the insufferable Republican obstructionism, as well as the prophylactic contemplation of the Democrats.

On the other hand, how productive would it be if at least a handful of Republicans break free—become independent—of Trump’s yoke, which the Party has assumed at the expense of its dignity and integrity. Let’s hope that at least a smaller Republican sector will shake off the prejudice, racism, sexism, xenophobia, evil, and cruelty left by Trump, because with just this handful any legislation could advance. But it seems like they are stuck in the mud that will take its toll—both political and historic, in that order—sooner or later.

In the end, would that in place of the parades and patriotic speeches, they really put into practice what the The U.S. Declaration of Independence says: “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”l

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.

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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SPLC: Congressional Action Needed to Restore and Strengthen VRA

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ASHINGTON, D.C.: Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee and Arizona Republican Party v. Democratic National Committee. The SPLC filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the plaintiffs and against two Arizona laws that ban ballot assistance and throw out a voter’s entire ballot solely if they mistakenly voted in the wrong precinct.

In a 6-3 decision, the Court held that Arizona’s policies disenfranchising incounty voters who cast a ballot but at the wrong precinct and criminalizing the return of a voter’s ballot by someone other than a postal worker, elections official, caregiver, or household or family member do not violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The Court declined to announce a test that would govern all Section 2 claims involving election administration policies, with no guidance as to how future voting restrictions should be evaluated.

In her dissenting opinion, Justice Elena Kagan wrote: “...But the majority today lessens the [Voting Rights Act] — cuts Section 2 down to its own preferred size. The majority creates a set of extra-textual

exceptions and considerations to sap the Act’s strength, and to save laws like Arizona’s. No matter what Congress wanted, the majority has other ideas. This Court has no right to remake Section 2.

Maybe some think that vote suppression is a relic of history—and so the need for a potent Section 2 has come and gone...But Congress gets to make that call. Because it has not done so, this Court’s duty is to apply the law as it is written.”

The following statement is by Nancy Abudu, interim director of strategic litigation for the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC): “A true representative democracy in the U.S. will be achieved when every American, no matter their race, ZIP code, or income level, has easier and open access to cast a ballot free from unnecessary and discriminatory obstacles. The Arizona laws the Supreme Court upheld today are the kind of unnecessary and discriminatory laws the ‘monumental’ Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) was designed to block.

“Today’s decision makes clear Congress must step up again and ensure every American can cast a ballot and have it counted in future elections. That will happen when the John Lewis Voting Right Act is re-introduced and passed, and the

anti-discriminatory protections within the VRA are fully restored free from the Supreme Court’s erosive decisions.

“The VRA is one of the most important and successful civil rights laws ever passed. Section 2 of the VRA has been an essential tool for voters to fight back against racial discrimination in voting.

The majority opinion today creates the conditions for a piecemeal chipping away at Section 2 with every negative election administration decision counties and states continue to make.

“Last week was the anniversary of the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision, in which the Court gutted Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Without the protection of Section 5, some states and jurisdictions which previously had to preclear new voting changes with the federal government have implemented voting changes – like photo ID laws, polling place closures, and massive voter purges - that have harmed voters of color.

“In 2021 alone, nearly 400 restrictive voting bills have been introduced in 48 state legislatures across the country based on lies advanced by extremists and the disgraced former president about the security and accuracy of elections held last year.

“Without preclearance in effect, Section

2 of the VRA has been a critical tool for voters to successfully sue states and jurisdictions and end the implementation of laws, policies, and practices that deny or dilute the right to vote for voters of color.

“Section 2 has been used to successfully challenge many laws passed since the Shelby decision, and is a key building block in the recently filed SPLC litigation challenging Georgia’s SB 202, a sweeping voter suppression bill passed earlier this year.

“This decision today weakens Section 2 significantly and upholds the Arizona laws at issue.

“Ultimately, with the Shelby decision gutting Section 5, the decision today undermining Section 2 and the difficulty in mounting successful voting rights litigation generally, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act needs swift reintroduction and passage at the federal level now more than ever. The federal government must clarify Section 2’s broad anti-discriminatory intent and restore Section 5’s guarantee of robust Justice Department oversight so states and jurisdictions that erect barriers to voting that harm voters of color have to clear their voting changes once again with the federal government.”l

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IMMIGRANTS’ CONCERNS

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‘Information Blocking‘ in the 21st Century Cures Act & Survivors of Domestic Violence

BY LINDA NWOKE SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL

D

o you know that policies affect members of society differently based on individual circumstances? Take the 21st Century Cures Act, designed to aid a fast and efficient delivery in developing innovative medical products and advances to patients.

The Act contributes to increasing accessibility and choice for health care providers and patients in the delivery of research health services and pharmaceuticals. However, it contains considerations that can penalize the provider or expose the patient to harm because of reporting sensitive data.

The rules require that requests for electronic health information, including doctors' notes, be actioned and sharing the requested information requested between providers. However, this policy can have damaging consequences for survivors of intimate partner violence.

Despite the apparent advantages, the Cure Acts rule raises several concerns about sharing patient survivors' sensitive information gathered during the visit, such as patient's circumstances, authorized persons who can access sensitive health information. All of this creates a need to clarify how survivors can maintain control over sharing their personal health care cases and other sensitive information.

To raise awareness on the issue, Futures Without Violence co-sponsored the event with the National Health Collaborative on Violence and Abuse (NCHVA). The objective includes creating a healthier nation where people live free from the pain of violence and abuse, without the fear of harm or retaliation, organized a forum for discussing the challenges and solutions of the legislation as it affects the survivors of domestic abuse and violence.

The organization operates with a mandate to create a community where adults and children thrive from respectful relationships. They find collaborative ways to bring societal and cultural changes through linking health organizations with community partners and groups. They work in the advancement of health policies at the government level, developing the capacity of health professionals and promoting infrastructures towards the prevention and address of exposures to violence and abuse.

To this end, practitioners and professionals gathered to discuss the implication of the new federal rules on sharing of healthcare information and data.

Specifically, the rules promote better coordination of care and stop the practice of "information blocking" for survivors of domestic or intimate partner violence

and healthcare providers who serve them.

Implication for survivors of domestic violence and abuse Under the facilitation of Lisa James, Director of Health Futures Without Violence, the discussions reviewed the new rules, addressed concerns raised by patients, and clarified knotty areas experienced by the health care practitioners in the field.

Lena O'Rourke of O'Rourke Health Policy Strategies shared perspectives on questions that concern survivors. She also emphasized the importance of adhering to privacy principles when dealing with such clients that will enable them to comply with the Acts requirements.

According to her, some of the common concerns expressed by domestic violence survivors over the legislation include accessibility to their personal records and detailed information, especially their status as domestic violence survivors, especially among unauthorized providers, including employers. Besides, they want assurance that their information will be safeguarded from the abusive or controlling person perpetuating the harm. They also expressed concerns about the nature of information gathered and consequences, especially in the details generated, their rights, people's reaction or treatment based on the information such as the reaction and prejudice from their care team when they discover their status as survivors of domestic violence or abuse.

Thus, part of the recommendation covered the importance of acknowledging, reassuring, and ensuring the protection of patients' privacy and confidentiality, helping them understand what, how, why, who, and when the health data can be used and getting their consent about sharing the data.

It is noteworthy that health providers have broad discretion under the 'laws' exemptions', to limit the exchange of information when disclosing can harm the patient while maintaining transparency when gathering the data. She advised that they should also put in place necessary procedures geared towards protecting sensitive information using 'de-identification, ' which is the restriction of per-

sonally identifiable information for usage or not authorized for release.

Operationally, providers must be aware that 'the Cures Act' does not override other health information privacy laws like the—Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—HIPAA. Thus, in a situation where a patient does not permit access to their health information, the law will not apply. Furthermore, there is a limitation to the risk associated with electronic information only.

Using Exceptions to the Cures Act' Information Blocking rule' to Protect Patients' Confidentiality Despite the importance of the legislation, some situations result in health providers flaunting the law, which has legal implications. According to Deven McGraw, Chief Regulatory Officer and Cofounder of Citizen Corporation, there are prohibitions on 'information blocking' regulations and guidance to implement them among specific professionals.

Professionals such as health care providers, certified health information vendors, and those considered health information networks.

She explained that certain conditions exempt the implementation of the Cures Act termed 'information blocking' on patients' electronic health information or the designated record set under HIPAA. Mainly, such exemption is considered in specific cases with evidence that the decision not to provide information/data by the provider is to prevent harm and protect a person's privacy. continued on page 6

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IN THE COMMUNITY

QBP Richards Launches Immigrant Welcome Center at Queens Borough Hall

21st Century Cures Act/ continued from page 5

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UEENS, NY: Alongside elected officials, advocates and leading immigration service providers in The World’s Borough, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. cut the ribbon today on Queens Borough Hall’s new Immigrant Welcome Center — a first-of-its-kind service hub at The People’s House, representing an unprecedented investment in immigration-related resources available for the more than 1 million immigrants who call Queens home.

“There’s a reason why we’re called ‘The World’s Borough.’ Every day, families from all corners of the globe come here to Queens to start businesses in our neighborhoods, send their children to our schools and be integral parts of our thriving communities,” said Borough President RICHARDS. “We could not be prouder to open the first-ever Immigrant Welcome Center at Queens Borough Hall to better serve our immigrant families and provide a vast array of critical services.”

More than one-third of New York City’s three million immigrants reside in Queens, with nearly 50 percent of the borough’s 2.4 million residents were born abroad. Beginning with the June 15 soft launch of the Immigrant Welcome Center and continuing into the future as capacity and the variety of available services expands, families contacting or

Immigrant Welcome Center Ribbon-Cutting (6/15/21) Photo credit: Queens Borough President's Office

visiting Queens Borough Hall will be connected with comprehensive, multilingual services such as legal assistance and referrals to community-based organizations and city services.

The Immigrant Welcome Center will be staffed by a full-time coordinator and Borough President Richards’ Director of Immigrant Affairs — both of whom are immigrants themselves and fluent in Mandarin and Spanish, respectively — and will assist in case management.

“Immigrant New Yorkers have been resilient leaders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to be key to New York City’s recovery,” said Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Deputy Commissioner MAY MALIK. “As we celebrate their contributions this Immigrant Heritage Month, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs is thrilled by the opening of the Queens Borough President’s Immigrant Welcome Center, a resource that will help address needs within immigrant communities. By focusing on language access and connecting visitors to City and community-based programs, the center signals that further supporting our immigrant neighbors is critical to the City’s future. We look forward to partnering with the Center to empower and advocate for immigrant communities across Queens.” l

However, in such situations, it is pertinent that the provider should have existing documentation of policies, which serves as a system safeguard that protects sensitive information in their organization. The provider is expected to document the reasons for not disclosing the request and keep a separate record for such decisions. Ms. McGraw also mentioned no guaranteed protection against penalties. However, they are not adjudged 'guilty' of information blocking as each case is evaluated individually.

During the meeting, scenarios were presented where the law requires that the patient give consent and the patient has not consented, yet they requested the patient's information. In which case, the person asking for the information is responsible for getting the patient's consent. In another situation, the health care provider could be acting on not sharing the data based on an individual's request; they can also refuse to provide information in cases where a denial of the request will significantly reduce the risk to the individual under the HIPAA requirement.

Challenges to the Cures Act in Practices of Healthcare Providers Responding, Dr. Kim Chang, a family physician and site director at the Asian Health Services, confirmed the observations and challenges encountered in the field while implementing the law.

Consistent with the findings, she shared some of the practical applications they practice as providers.

First, she acknowledged that there is an increase in the categories of intended readers of a patient health record under the Cures Act, which affects the type of information gathered and sometimes creates conflicts among the primary provider, patient, and third party-other health care providers. She agreed that having institutional /organizational policies helps them settle disputes when conflicts arise between patient and provider.

Furthermore, she explained that it has been essential for them to discuss some of the ground rules during initial documentation with patients before addressing sensitive topics.

The practice of information blocking is enforced to protect domestic violence survivors' privacy and confidentiality request; however, the health provider must comply with essential requirements like adhering to documented organizational policy or based on an individual case. l

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FAMILY MATTERS

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Fathers Need to Care for Themselves As Well As Their Kids – But Often Don’t

BY DEREK M. GRIFFITH ELIZABETH C. STEWART THE CONVERSATION

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f you had to choose, which would you rather have: a healthy father or a good father?

Studies suggest men often choose being a good father over being healthy.

Becoming a father is a major milestone in the life of a man, often shifting the way he thinks from being “me focused” to “we focused.” But fatherhood can also shift how men perceive their health. Our research has found that fathers can view health not in terms of going to the doctor or eating vegetables but how they hold a job, provide for their family, protect and teach their children, and belong to a community or social network.

As founder and director of the Center for Research on Men’s Health at Vanderbilt University and as a postdoctoral fellow from Meharry Medical College, we study why men live shorter lives than women, male attitudes about fatherhood, how to help men engage in healthier behavior – as well as what can be done to reduce men’s risk of Type 2

diabetes and heart disease.

Work, sex and health Working with men to try to get them to be more physically active, eat healthier and maintain a healthy weight, we found that for many, their own physical and mental health is not high on their list of priorities. Men, we found, treat their bodies as tools to do a job. Health is not always important or something they pay much attention to until poor health gets in the way of their ability to go to work, have sex or do something else important

to them. These roles and responsibilities are often the ways they define themselves as men and how others in their lives define their worth.

While many aspects of gender roles have changed, we have found that many men still recognize they are often defined as good or successful if they have paid employment that is enough to take care of their children and other responsibilities. Fathers generally aspire to be able to look after their children, spouse, partner or other loved ones. That may mean less sleep, longer hours at work and less free

time for hobbies and exercise.

Wanting to be a great dad can motivate men to push themselves to work longer and harder than they may have thought possible, but these choices can come at a cost, particularly if they also are not making time to take care of themselves.

We have seen evidence of despair, such as depressive symptoms, having thoughts of suicide, heavy drinking and marijuana use, among adults in their 20s and 30s.

These behaviors tend to be higher in men during the time when they tend to become fathers for the first time.

Consistent with this pattern, unintentional injuries and suicide are leading causes of death for men across racial and ethnic groups in their 20s and 30s. This is not the case for women.

By age 45, heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death for all groups of men. These chronic diseases can be prevented, to some degree, by not smoking, eating healthier foods and drinking less alcohol. Also, improving sleep, sitting less and moving more are important behaviors for good health.

Rather than trying to restart these behaviors after taking a break from them continued on page 8

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FAMILY MATTERS

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Trump Border Visit Is A Political Ploy: We Need Action Not Words

Fathers Need Care/ continued from page 7 for a number of years, studies have found that it is important to help men keep healthy behaviors a part of their lives as they age.

As men age, they may not make deliberate choices to engage in less healthy behavior, but they may just do so because their lives and environments make unhealthy choices easier than healthy ones. Policymakers have to think about how to make it easier to make healthy choices in men’s daily lives and to incorporate health into the time fathers spend with children and family or at work. Men don’t have equal access to healthy foods or the same opportunities to go to the doctor, be physically active or earn a living wage, and yet, if asked, they all want to be healthy and have a positive influence on their children and families.

Where does making time for their own mental and physical health fit into dads’ busy, stressful lives? We have found that it will be different for every father, but loved ones have to help them find a way.

Based on our research, we believe that families, particularly women in men’s lives, can play an important role in encouraging fathers to eat healthier and take better care of their health.

Wives in particular often provide emotional support, offer advice, facilitate men going to the doctor and promote

healthy behavior. Wives, daughters and other women in fathers’ lives are important sources of information about men’s health, and they often play a key role in helping fathers and other men better understand and cope with stress.

As we celebrate fathers, it is important to recognize that fathers, generally speaking, may not place health at the top of their priorities. Many fathers gladly sacrifice to see their children happy, safe and successful. The problem is that if fathers think only about these goals, their own health can often suffer. l Derek M. Griffith is a Professor of Medicine, Health & Society and Founder and Director of the Center for Research on Men's Health, Vanderbilt University.

Elizabeth C. Stewart is a Postdoctoral Fellow, Vanderbilt University.

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ATIONWIDE: The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) Executive Director Nicole Melaku issued the following statement in response to former President Trump’s visit to the southern U.S. border: “After nearly collapsing the refugee resettlement system, gutting the asylum processing system, and perpetuating the tragedy of child separation at the border, the former President is continuing to spread hate and white supremacy as he desperately clings to the political stage and the 2022 midterm elections near.

After four years of cruel and inhumane policies at the southern U.S. border, most U.S. voters want a modernized immigration system that works and see today’s visit to a wall at the U.S./Mexico border for what it is: naked political posturing.

Former President Trump’s speech will likely lack any real solutions, but NPNA

Trump.Editorial credit: Evan El-Amin / Shutterstock.com

and the We Are All America network will continue to push for realistic policy solutions such as immediately ending Title 42, a measure enacted under the previous administration that prevents asylumseekers and other migrants from entering the U.S. In order to welcome asylum seekers with dignity and open arms, we need to dismantle barriers to migration and end the military-like tactics at the border.”l

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Do You Qualify for Temporary Protected Status?

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n 2017 and 2018, the Trump administration ended TPS designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan. Those terminations were initially blocked by courts.

But, on September 14, 2020, a federal appeals court issued a decision that allows terminations of TPS for those countries to move forward. The termination of Haitian TPS is still blocked under a separate court order.

However, on February 16, 2021, the Court agreed to pause the proceedings for 90 days in anticipation of action from the Biden Administration that could impact the litigation. TPS remains in effect for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan.

Due to the ongoing legal challenges, on December 9, 2020, USCIS automatically extended the validity of TPS documents for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan through October 4, 2021.

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allows individuals from certain countries to remain in the United States if it is unsafe for them to return to their home country due to a humanitarian emergency there. For example, the federal government may designate a country for TPS if there is an armed conflict (e.g., civil war) or a natural disaster (e.g., earthquake). TPS enables recipients to work in the United States lawfully and protects them from deportation as long as the TPS designation is in effect.

In order to receive TPS, applicants must prove that they have lived continuously in the United States since a date specified by the federal government.

Countries' TPS designations come up for renewal at 6 to 18-month intervals, at which point the federal government again makes a determination about whether a given country can absorb its returning nationals safely.

Recipients must re-register for TPS if a TPS designation is extended, or in some cases ended.

Updates on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Program The federal government has recently made new announcements and published new guidelines regarding the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, which provides temporary legal status to certain immigrants.

Haiti Redesignated for TPS On May 22nd, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated Haiti for TPS for 18 months. This would allow any Haitian national currently residing in the United States to file appli-

cations for TPS. However, this redesignation has not yet gone into effect; a notice with details about how to apply will be available later.

Under this new redesignation, existing Haitian TPS beneficiaries will still be able to retain their TPS and TPS-related documents, and DHS will continue to extend the benefit and documents as required to comply with court orders.

These beneficiaries can also choose to apply under the new designation to receive TPS for the entire 18-month period that will be described in the soon-tobe published Federal Register notice.

TPS Updates for Burma/Myanmar The Department of Homeland Security designated Myanmar/Burma for Temporary Protected Status in March and has recently made this official by publishing the policy in the Federal Register.

Through this Federal Register Notice, DHS is officially designating Burma for TPS for 18 months, effective through November 25, 2022. This designation allows eligible Burmese nationals who have continuously resided in the United States since March 11, 2021 and have been continuously physically present in the United States since the date of publication to the Federal Register, to apply for TPS. Eligible individuals must apply

by November 22, 2021.

TPS for Venuezuela As of March 2021, the Biden Administration announced TPS for may qualify if you are a Venezuelan national who has been continuously in the United States from March 8, 2021 to the date you file your application. Consult with a trusted legal service provider to determine if you are eligible to applyVenezuelans who meet certain requirements may be eligible to apply.

Other Countries Nepal: USCIS automatically extended TPS documents through October 4, 2021.

The TPS designation for Nepal remains in effect pending further court order.

Somalia: TPS extended through September 17, 2021.

Sudan: USCIS automatically extended TPS documents through October 4, 2021.

The TPS designation for Sudan remains in effect pending further court order.

South Sudan:TPS extended through May 2, 2022.

Syria: TPS extended through September 30, 2022.

Remember, immigration law is complicated. Beware of fraudulent immigration providers who may make false promises.l

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9

IN THE NEWS

10

Useful Citywide Updates

T

he Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) strives to make New York City a more just and accessible place for immigrant families.

As the City charts a recovery for all from the COVID-19 pandemic, and while immigrant communities still bear the brunt of its impact, there is a solid commitment to a more equitable pandemic recovery. Here are some forms of assistance: Rental Assistance Available for New Yorkers The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is open for New Yorkers with unpaid rent. If you qualify, you could get up to 12 months of your back rent paid, along with up to 3 months of additional future rental assistance, up to 12 months of electric or gas payments to cover utility arrears, and access to additional protections. All payments will be made directly to your landlord. Individuals do not need to have a lawful immigration status to qualify for the program. You can also apply for rental assistance through ERAP even if you have an eviction case pending against you. There are community-based organizations in all five boroughs who can assist you with application and directly process payments. Learn more about eligibility and learn how to apply

which provide funds for households to meet the costs of heating and cooling their homes. Applications are being accepted right now on a first-come-firstserve basis. Learn more about eligibility for the Home Energy Assistance Program and Cooling Assistance Benefit from ACCESS NYC.

at the HRA website for the New York Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) (nyc.gov).

For more information on landlord-tenant mediation, payment plans, accessing other public benefits, and more, call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline. The Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenant’s website also offers current information on the eviction moratorium and tenant rights.

Utility Assistance Available for New Yorkers New Yorkers are encouraged to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Cooling Assistance Benefit,

Use Your IDNYC to Apply for Affordable Housing Did you know? You can use your IDNYC to apply for affordable housing and access a wide variety of other discounts and services across the five boroughs.

Housing Connect is your portal to find and apply for affordable housing, including rental and homeownership opportunities. Rentals are regulated so the rent cannot go up too much over time, and condos, co-ops, and 1-4 family homes have restricted prices.

With IDNYC, you don't need a driver’s license, social security card or birth certificate to be eligible for housing on Housing Connect. All New Yorkers above the age of 18 can sign up for Housing Connect. Your immigration status does not matter.

NYC Artists: Apply for a $5,000 Grant Through New York City Artist Corps Artists working in any discipline are

encouraged to apply for a one-time, $5,000 grant to engage the public across New York City's five boroughs this summer and fall. Through the New York City Artist Corps, more than 3,000 working artists will be selected and empowered to participate fully in the overall recovery of the City. Applications for the next cycle open on July 6. Learn more about City Artist Corps Grants, including how to apply, on New York Foundation for the Arts' website. Additional information about City Artist Corps is available at nyc.gov/cityartistcorps.

New Paid Safe & Sick Leave for New Yorkers As we continue to recover from the pandemic, it’s important for all New Yorkers to know that NYC’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law is strong and broad. No matter if you have a cold or COVID-19, workers have a right to paid leave. And some workers are now entitled to even more leave than ever. If you work for a private employer, including as a domestic worker, you can get up to 40 or 56 hours of leave a year to care for yourself or family. For health or safety reasons.

Visit nyc.gov/workers to learn more about your rights as a worker or your responsibilities as an employer in NYC.l

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HOW TO GET A GREEN CARD

11

Fall in Immigration/ continued from page 1 lead to difficulties in funding entitlements like Social Security and Medicaid for seniors in the future.

But as a statistician and sociologist who collaborates with the United Nations Population Division to develop new statistical population forecasting methods, I’m not yet calling this a crisis. In fact, America’s 2020 birth rate is in line with trends going back over 40 years. Similar trends have been observed in most of the U.S.‘s peer countries.

The other reason this is not a crisis, at least not yet, is that America’s historically high immigration rates have put the country in a demographic sweet spot relative to other developed countries like Germany and Japan.

But that could change. A recent dramatic decline in immigration is now putting the country’s demographic advantage at risk.

Falling immigration may be America’s real demographic crisis, not the dip in birth rates.

A predictable change Most countries have experienced part or all of a fertility transition.

Fertility transitions occur when fertility falls from a high level – typical of agricultural societies – to a low level, more common in industrialized countries. This transition is due to falling mortality, more education for women, the increas-

ing cost of raising children and other reasons.

In 1800, American women on average gave birth to seven children. The fertility rate decreased steadily, falling to just 1.74 children per woman in 1976, marking the end of America’s fertility transition. This is the point after which fertility no longer declined systematically, but instead began to fluctuate.

Birth rates have slightly fluctuated up and down in the 45 years since, rising to 2.11 in 2007. This was unusually high for a country that has made its fertility transition, and put the U.S. birth rate briefly at the top of developed countries. nnnA decline soon followed. The U.S. birth rate dropped incrementally from 2007 to 2020, at an average rate of about 2% per year. 2020’s decline was in line with this, and indeed was slower than some previous declines, such as the ones in 2009 and 2010. It put the U.S. on par with its peer nations, below the U.K. and France, but above Canada and Germany.

Using the methods I’ve helped develop, in 2019 the U.N. forecast a continuing

drop in the global birth rate for the period from 2020 to 2025. This methodology also forecast that the overall world population will continue to rise over the 21st century.

The ideal situation for a country is steady, manageable population growth, which tends to go in tandem with a dynamic labor market and adequate provision for seniors, through entitlement programs or care by younger family members. In contrast, countries with declining populations face labor shortages and squeezes on provisions for seniors. At the other extreme, countries with very fast population growth can face massive youth unemployment and other problems.

Many countries that are peers with the U.S. now face brutally sharp declines in the number of working-age people for every senior within the next 20 years.

For example, by 2040, Germany and Japan will have fewer than two working-age adults for every retired adult. In China, the ratio will go down from 5.4 workers per aged adult now to 1.7 in the

next 50 years.

By comparison, the worker-to-senior ratio in the U.S. will also decrease, but more slowly, from 3.5 in 2020 to 2.1 by 2070. By 2055, the U.S. will have more workers per retiree than even Brazil and China.

Germany, Japan and other nations face population declines, with Japan’s population projected to go down by a massive 40% by the end of the century. In Nigeria, on the other hand, the population is projected to more than triple, to over 700 million, because of the currently high fertility rate and young population.

In contrast, the U.S. population is projected to increase by 31% over the next 50 years, which is both manageable and good for the economy. This is slower than the growth of recent decades, but much better than the declines faced by peer industrialized nations.

The reason for this is immigration. The U.S. has had the most net immigration in the world for decades, and the projections are based on the assumption that this will continue.

Migrants tend to be young, and to work. They contribute to the economy and bring dynamism to the society, along with supporting existing retirees, reducing the burden on current workers.

However, this source of demographic strength is at risk. Net migration into the U.S. declined by 40% from 2015 to

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continued on page 13

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BIDEN ADMINISTRATION

13

Praise for Biden Plan to Proactively Promote Citizenship

W

ASHINGTON: U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a report on plans to proactively promote naturalization to the over nine million immigrants eligible for citizenship. The report reflects many of the issues the National Partnership for New Americans has been advocating for, including taking steps to reduce citizenship application backlogs, reducing fees for the citizenship process, and increasing funding for organizations working with the community.

“The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) applauds the administration's plan to proactively promote naturalization, turn the tide on previous barriers to citizenship, and work directly with immigrant communities — changes which we have fought for over many years. As we celebrate and come together as a country on July 4, the importance of easing routes to becoming an American is more clear than ever," said Nicole Melaku, executive director of NPNA. The plan would implement an executive order from the first days of the Biden/Harris administration and be carried out by a working group of federal agencies' heads, chaired by the U.S.

President Biden. Editorial credit: NumenaStudios / Shutterstock.com

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary. The report lays out the administration's plan to: •Raise awareness of citizenship, eligibility, and the economic, social, and civic benefits that come with naturalization, as recently detailed in a NPNA briefing paper; •Integrate immigrants into United States society; •Promote civic integration and inclusion of immigrants; •Build community capacity for naturalization; •Eliminate fears related to applying for citizenship; and •Advance equity in access to naturalization for those who have been historically excluded based on race, gender, lack of

English-language proficiency, disability, and LGBTQ identities.

The plan would coordinate among federal agencies and work with state and local entities like the Offices of New Americans. The plan also models provisions from the New Deal for New Americans Act, introduced earlier this year by Rep. Grace (D-N.Y.) Meng and Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), as the first comprehensive immigrant integration legislation at the federal level, with provisions that would reduce barriers to naturalization, institute voluntary, automatic voter registration for new citizens, and promote workforce development programs for immigrants as an economic recovery engine.l

Fall in Immigration/ continued from page 11 2019, likely at least in part because of unwelcoming government policies.

If this is not reversed, the country faces a demographic future more like that of Germany or even Japan, with a rapidly aging population and the economic and social problems that come with it. The jury is out on whether family-friendly social policies will have enough positive impact on fertility to compensate.

If U.S. net migration continues on its historical trend as forecast by the U.N., the U.S. population will continue to increase at a healthy pace for the rest of the century. In contrast, if U.S. net migration continues only at the much lower 2019 rate, population growth will grind almost to a halt by 2050, with about 60 million fewer people by 2100.

The fall in migration would also accelerate the aging of the U.S. population, with 7% fewer workers per senior by 2060, leading to possible labor shortages and challenges in funding Social Security and Medicare.

While the biggest stream of immigrants is from Latin America, that is likely to decrease in the future given the declining fertility rates and aging populations there. In the longer term, more immigrants are likely to come from subSaharan Africa, and it will be important for America’s demographic future to attract, welcome and retain them. l

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HEALTH

15

Save Communities of Color By Getting Vaccinated older adults or people with underlying health conditions.

BY DR. EBONY HILTON

B

lack and Brown Americans are dying of Covid-19 at roughly three times the rate of their white

peers.

Despite this tragic loss, many people of color, especially younger ones, aren't planning to get vaccinated. In a National Foundation for Infectious Disease poll, 41 percent of Black adults ages 18-44 said they wouldn't get a vaccine. Another 21 percent were undecided. Many respondents — no doubt reacting to the myths and misinformation they've seen online — expressed concerns about safety and side effects.

These vaccines are some of the safest, most effective ever invented. It's a message I stress with all of my patients. But I also know from talking with patients that it's going to take more than telling them the vaccines are safe. It also requires dispelling myths about them so that we can finally end this pandemic.

Here are just some of the myths I hear on a regular basis along with the facts that everyone should commit to memory.

Myth: The vaccines offer little added

protection against Covid-19.

Fact: All available vaccines are virtually 100 percent effective in preventing hospitalization and death.

Myth: The vaccines were rushed into distribution.

Fact: Contrary to internet rumors, these vaccines went through all the standard safety testing required for FDA approval.

Clinical trial administrators pointedly refused to rush the process.

Myth: Vaccinations can spread the infection.

Fact: None of the vaccines use live versions of the virus, so it is impossible for the vaccine itself to give people Covid19.

Myth: Vaccines cause infertility and are unsafe for pregnant women.

Fact: No one spreading these claims has produced a shred of evidence of any vaccine impact on pregnancy or fertility. The vaccines are safe for pregnant women.

The CDC actually recommends that states prioritize vaccinating pregnant women because Covid-19 can cause potentially deadly complications during pregnancy.

Myth: Healthy young people have little to gain from getting vaccinated.

Fact: Vaccination is the best way for people to protect their loved ones.

Although healthy young people are at a low risk of severe Covid-19, they can still carry the disease and spread it to

Myth: The side effects of the vaccine are more dangerous than Covid-19 itself.

Fact: So far, over 160 million Americans have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. The overwhelming majority have experienced nothing worse than normal and mild side effects such as arm soreness or fatigue. Medical professionals and health care regulators continue to monitor the vaccines as they are being administered, and are exercising abundant caution at every phase.

The Covid-19 death toll remains highest in minority communities. Let's not allow myths and misinformation to guide our decisions. Get the facts and take the shot. The best way for young Black and Brown people to protect their friends, family members, and themselves is to get vaccinated as soon as possible. l Dr. Ebony Hilton, MD is a practicing physician at the University of Virginia Charlottesville. This piece originally ran in the Virginian-Pilot

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GENERATIONS

16

Managing Money Problems in Alzheimer's Disease

P

eople with Alzheimer’s disease often have problems managing their money. In fact, money problems may be one of the first noticeable signs of the disease.

Early on, a person with Alzheimer’s may be able to perform basic tasks, such as paying bills, but he or she is likely to have problems with more complicated tasks, such as balancing a checkbook. As the disease gets worse, the person may try to hide financial problems to protect his or her independence. Or, the person may not realize that he or she is losing the ability to handle money matters.

Signs of Money Problems Look for signs of money problems such as trouble counting change, paying for a purchase, calculating a tip, balancing a checkbook, or understanding a bank statement. The person may be afraid or worried when he or she talks about money. You may also find: •Unpaid and unopened bills •Lots of new purchases on a credit card bill •Strange new merchandise •Money missing from the person’s bank account

A family member or trustee (someone who holds title to property and/or funds for the person) should check bank statements and other financial records each month to see how the person with Alzheimer’s disease is doing and step in if there are serious concerns. This can protect the person from becoming a victim of financial abuse or fraud.

Take Steps Early Many older adults will be suspicious of attempts to take over their financial affairs. You can help the person with Alzheimer’s feel independent by: •Giving him or her small amounts of cash or voided checks to have on hand •Minimizing the spending limit on credit cards or having the cards cancelled •Telling the person that it is important to learn about finances, with his or her help

To prevent serious problems, you may have to take charge of the person’s financial affairs through legal arrangements.

It’s important to handle the transfer of financial authority with respect and understanding.

You can get consent to manage the person’s finances via a durable power of attorney for finances, preferably while the person can still understand and approve the arrangement. You can also ensure that the person finalizes trusts and estate arrangements.

Guard Against Financial Abuse and Fraud People with Alzheimer’s may be victims of financial abuse or scams by dishonest people. Sometimes, the person behind the scam is a “friend” or family member.

Telephone, email, or in-person scams can

take many forms, such as: •Identity theft •Get-rich-quick offer •Phony offers of prizes or home or auto repairs •Insurance scams •Health scams such as ads for unproven memory aids •Threats Look for signs that the person with Alzheimer’s may be a victim of financial abuse or fraud: •There are signatures on checks or other papers don’t look like the person’s signature.

•The person’s will has been changed without permission.

•The person’s home is sold, and he or she did not agree to sell it.

•The person has signed legal papers (such as a will, power of attorney, or joint deed to a house) without knowing what the papers mean.

•Things that belong to you or the person with Alzheimer’s, such as clothes or jewelry, are missing from the home.

If you think a person with Alzheimer’s may be the victim of a scam, contact your local police department.l —National Institute On Aging

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WELCOME TO AMERICA

18

Will Immigrant Investors and Regional Centers Benefit From Court Win or Has Time Run Out?

BY LESLIE DELLON

A

recent court win that restored lower minimum investment amounts was good news for regional centers and immigrant investors in the EB-5 program. But the bad news is the EB-5 regional center program will end on June 30, because Congress did not extend it. While Congress may restore the program, it’s uncertain how long immigrant investors and regional centers will be in limbo.

Congress established the immigrant investor program in 1990. This program allows immigrants to invest at least $1 million in an American business that creates at least 10 full-time jobs. Congress also set a smaller minimum investment of $500,000 for a business in a “targeted employment area,” which was defined by a certain level of unemployment or population. Congress gave the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary the authority to increase the minimum investment amounts by regulation.

In 1992, Congress authorized regional centers—which are “public or private economic units” designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)—to promote economic growth, like job creation or increased U.S. capital investment. Congress also set aside 3,000 of the 9,940 annual visa limit in the immigrant investor category for investors in regional centers.

Regional centers have been attractive to immigrant investors. Centers give them the opportunity to invest in projects run by professionals who had past success with similar projects. Immigrant investors could also use regional centers to meet the job-creation requirement indirectly, as jobs created by the project

could be attributed to their investment.

As of January 2021, USCIS had approved 673 regional centers.

In 2019, then-Acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan issued the “EB-5 rule,” increasing the minimum investment amounts to $900,000 and $1.8 million, respectively. Among other changes, the rule also changed how USCIS designated targeted employment areas, which the agency estimated would place 54% of investments in areas that would no longer qualify for the reduced investment amount.

Behring Regional Center filed a lawsuit in the federal district court for the Northern District of California challenging the EB-5 rule in December 2020.

While the regional center had several claims, the court directed the parties to address only the issue of whether the rule was invalid because McAleenan’s appointment as DHS Secretary was unlawful.

Current DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas provided a “ratification,” filed with the court in April 2021. Secretary Mayorkas maintained that since he was properly appointed, he could affirm and ratify the EB-5 rule and thus end any question about the legality of McAleenan’s action.

The court concluded that McAleenan was not lawfully appointed, and Secretary Mayorkas could not “save” the EB-5 rule with an “after-the-fact ratification.” The court also joined “numerous other courts” in deciding that McAleenan could not succeed the former DHS secretary under the applicable succession order. Issuing the EB-5 regulation was part of a DHS secretary’s duties. Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (FVRA) vacant office provision, McAleenan did not lawfully serve as sec-

retary. The EB-5 rule he issued, therefore, had no “force or effect” and could not be ratified. The district court vacated the EB-5 rule under the FVRA. Because the regional center authorization ends on June 30, the immediate benefit of the court decision may be limited to immigrant investors making direct investments in job-creating American businesses and not through regional centers.

In March 2021, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2021, with co-sponsor Patrick Leahy (D-VT). The bill would reauthorize the regional center program through Fiscal Year 2026 and make changes including oversight and enforcement provisions. While Senator Grassley tried to advance the bill, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) blocked passage by unanimous consent. As the Senate is currently in recess, no action can be taken before July 12.

While many expect the regional centers to be reauthorized, it is not clear when and under what terms. It’s possible the government will appeal the court deci-

sion striking down the EB-5 rule, issue new regulations, or reissue the EB-5 rule.

USCIS announced that while regional center authorization is lapsed the agency will not accept new applications from regional centers or investor petitions based on regional center investment.

USCIS will hold, rather than deny, pending applications or petitions.

Noncitizens who have received conditional residence based on a regional center investment will still be able to file petitions to remove their conditional residence status and USCIS will continue to process those petitions. Investors should anticipate that U.S. embassies and consulates will not proceed with immigrant visa applications based on regional center investment.

Immigrant investment should be part of strengthening our economy as we emerge from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Congress should immediately reauthorize the regional center program. Even a short-term reauthorization through September 30, the end of the current fiscal year, would provide some breathing room while the legislation advances.l

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GET YOURSELF ON THE PATH TO U.S. CITIZENSHIP TODAY!

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

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