The Immigrant’s Journal - Vol. 144

The Immigrant’s Journal Vol. 144

A Journey for a Better Life & Justice

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Protecting God’s Children From Distant Lands 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY 11242

www.theimmigrantsjournal.com Tel: 718-243-9431

August 27, 2021

Email: immjournal @aol.com

Federal Court Orders Biden to Restore the ‘Remain in Mexico’ Program

BY AARON REICHLIN-MELNICK IMMIGRATIONIMPACT.COM

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he Trump administration’s Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the “Remain in Mexico” program, inflicted extreme harm on vulnerable people seeking asylum at the border beginning in January 2019. Thankfully, President Biden suspended the program on the day he took office. However, a new decision from a federal judge in Texas threatens to force the Biden administration to resume MPP.

On Friday, Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk of the Northern District of Texas issued a decision in a case brought by the states of Texas and Missouri ordering the Biden administration to restore MPP “in good faith.”

The decision also bars the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from ending MPP until it has “sufficient detention capacity” to hold all asylum seekers at the border. The Trump-appointed judge ruled that DHS would have “sufficient” capacity when no asylum seeker ever continued on page 2

Breakup: 6 Steps to Get Off the Emotional Roller Coaster ....21

Chancellor Porter: Vaccination for All NYC DOE Workers ....7

Hidden Costs When Buying a Home ....6

NYC Loses Jobs as Pandemic Recession Takes Growing Toll on Workers of Color

BY GREG DAVID, THE CITY

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ew York City’s recovery crashed into a pothole in July with a decline in jobs for the first time this year amid more displays of the disproportionate impact of the pandemic recession on Black and Latino workers.

Three major data points paint a worrisome picture for the city:

•New York lost 14,000 jobs in July, while the rest of the country saw its strongest employment growth in a year, numbers released Thursday by the state Labor Department show. The local unemployment rate declined slightly to 10.5% primarily because people stopped looking for work, rather than because they found jobs. The rate remains about double the national figure. continued on page 4

Four Steps to Finding a Job .... 18

Brian Figeroux, Esq.

5 Things You Should Know Before Getting Divorced ....9

Green Cards for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens....13

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Remain in Mexico/ continued from page 1

gets released at the border because of a lack of detention resources—something that has never occurred in modern history.

On taking office, the Biden administration immediately suspended all new enrollments into the program, fulfilling a campaign promise. In the months that followed, as part of a multinational “wind-down” process carried out with the assistance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, approximately 13,000 people entered the United States to pursue their claims in safety.

Last Friday’s decision threatens to destroy much of that progress. The only way to avoid reinstatement of this humanitarian disaster is if the Biden administration successfully obtains an emergency stay of the decision from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court.

In his decision, Judge Kacsmaryk accepted as valid the whitewashing assessments of MPP carried out by the Trump administration, while ignoring mounds of evidence about the program’s failings and the harm it has created for tens of thousands of immigrants and families. To experienced immigration lawyers and experts on border processing, the decision was a head-scratcher.

Judge Kacsmaryk is a Trump appointee. Editorial credit: Windover Way Photography / Shutterstock.com

For example, at one point, Judge Kacsmaryk held that the Biden administration would violate a decades-old law if they chose not to send people back to Mexico under MPP—even though MPP did not exist until 2019 and was not applied across the entire border until January 2020.

The decision also declares that ending MPP set off a “border surge.” But MPP was largely suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just 1.19% of people encountered at the border from April 2020 through January 2021 were ever put into MPP. In reality, border encounters had been rising every single month since April 2020 due in part to the Title 42 policy put in place when the pandemic hit. This policy has resulted in

2 people repeatedly attempting to cross the border, with some trying as many as 30 times.

The decision also ignores the clear prosecutorial discretion afforded to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to decide how to process people who arrive at the border. Judge Kacsymaryk declared his opinion that CBP had only two choices when encountering an asylum seeker: either send them to mandatory detention or send them to Mexico under MPP. But there are multiple other options available to CBP, including choosing to issue a notice to appear for a court hearing inside the United States, granting parole, or releasing asylum seekers on bond.

It is unclear how DHS would begin to restart MPP if this decision is allowed to stand. The Biden administration would be forced to negotiate with Mexico to accept individuals back under MPP, something the Mexican government may be unwilling to do. The country is already hosting thousands of people expelled back across the border under Title 42.

Regardless of this decision, the reality is that MPP was a disastrous program that inflicted severe harm on thousands.

Sadly, Friday’s decision shows that the Biden administration’s ability to dismantle the inhumane policies of the prior administration remains at risk.l

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TIME FOR ACTION

America’s Ending in Afghanistan Must Ensure Safe Passage for Our Afghan Allies

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

BY MOHAMMED NAEEM

Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Kendrick Williams Anvar Sabirov

A

Email immjournal@aol.com

cross centuries, Afghanistan has been a nation unconquerable.

From the conquest of Alexander the Great to the United States military, insurgent forces have beat back the offensive from some of the world’s most powerful armies. Though the context may have been different across each of these historical periods, the most recent fall is both stunning in speed and devastating for the tens of thousands who supported the U.S. mission over the last two decades.

Each of these brave Afghans, emboldened to build a democratic society, saw their hopes and dreams crumble over the span of 10 days. The makings of the current crises were long predicted by members of Congress, international allies, civil society, and veteran groups. But presidential administrations did not move with urgency to build out an infrastructure that could’ve ensured safe passage for our Afghan brethren.

This moment is fundamentally about loyalty to our word: that we would protect all those who served for our cause.

Before the current crises, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report had numbered the total processing time for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants to be at 996 calendar-days. Our government shouldn’t have accepted this as status quo for the visa, created for Afghan and Iraqi nationals who assisted the U.S. armed forces.

Shortening that time, Congress passed emergency appropriations legislation funding to allow for an additional 8,000 SIVs for Afghans who worked with the U.S. government, in addition to the 26,500 already authorized. These measures did expand our government’s capacity to respond. But there remained significant bureaucratic red-tape for those eligible, such as securing proof of time-inservice and relevant documentation.

Additionally, under the United States Refugee Admission Program (USRAP),

Visit www.ijlef.org www.falaw.us www.cawnyc.com

Editorial credit: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com

eligibility has been expanded according to two separate priorities (P1 or P2).

First, Afghans can be P1-eligible if the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), a U.S. embassy, or NGO refers an applicant to USRAP. Secondly, those who do not qualify for an SIV can become P2-elgibile if they worked for contractors (and/or the broader Mission Resolute Support), a U.S. government funded program, or a U.S. based media or NGO organization.

According to the estimates, Afghans that qualify for either of these program priorities number in the tens of thousands.

While this expansion was much needed, the fall of the U.S.-backed government exposed the real lack of preparation in building the needed infrastructure to respond to such a crisis. Furthermore, the uneven access that applicants have to Kabul, the site of the last operational airport across all of Afghanistan, further complicates evacuation efforts. Many civilian flights have been curtailed or cancelled altogether. And so, for many Afghans, this effort will potentially be too little, too late.

The Biden administration is in active discussions with international allies to support the broader resettlement effort,

by serving as third-country hosting sites as applications are being reviewed. But the government has already conceded that this process may take over a year.

At the very least, we have a moral obligation to fully and unequivocally protect our Afghan partners. This should include all the thousands of applicants who supported our mission in their home provinces but have been unable to reach Kabul. Let history show that the United States did not walk away from this tragedy. Instead, we must protect human life and support all those who believed in the vision and promise of our mission to create a united, democratic Afghan society.

While the latter may not have been fully achieved, we can still stand by those who bravely sacrificed for us.l

Mohammed Naeem is the Senior Manager for Strategy and Partnerships at the Center for Inclusion and Belonging, guiding the direction, facilitation, and build of its programmatic portfolios. The Center houses the signature culture and narrative change strategies of the American Immigration Council.

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

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IMMIGRANTS’ CONCERNS

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NYC Loses Jobs from page 1 •The unemployment rate for Black workers is four percentage points higher than whites. For Latino workers, the gap is seven percentage points.

•Even college degrees haven’t seemed to help narrow the racial gap: Nearly 40% of college-educated Black and Latino residents are mired in low-wage occupations, compared to less than 17% of white and Asian New Yorkers. That’s according to a just-released report from the group Here to Here — underscoring the structural inequality that makes it difficult for workers of color to move up the economic ladder.

While local economic statistics can be volatile and July could be an aberration, the details of Thursday’s jobs report revealed weakness in key sectors of the city’s economy.

Another troubling sign: The July data was collected before the virus case rate began to rise, noted James Parrott, an economist at the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School.

“The report is surprisingly weak,” he said.

Meanwhile, the local outlook for August and September has worsened with back-to-the-office plans stalling and some unemployment insurance benefits expiring.

‘We Are Losing Jobs’ Leisure and hospitality jobs continued to rebound in July, with a gain of 12,500

overall and 5,000 in restaurants, although that was less than in previous months.

The crucial financial services and real estate category lost about 5,000 jobs in July and remains 25,000 positions below its pre-pandemic peak. Just this week, the financial services company State Street announced plans to close its Manhattan offices permanently, with some employees relocating and others working remotely, increasing concern about an exodus of such firms.

“The city and state government have been sending negative signals to business for several years about how little value they place on job creation, while other states have been extending the welcome mat to New York’s large employers,” said Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City. “It should come as no surprise that we are losing jobs.”

Transportation and warehouse jobs

slipped by 8,000, possibly in response to the slowdown in online retail sales growth.

The normally stable health and education category also declined by almost 8,000 jobs with losses at private schools and universities.

“For the average worker, we are a long way from a full recovery,” Parrott said.

“And given the earlier and steeper impact that COVID has had in New York City relative to the rest of the nation, a local labor market recovery is some distance down the road.”

It’s not just the unemployment rate that shows how weak the city’s recovery has become compared with the rest of the country. New York City remains almost 510,000 jobs below its pre-pandemic record — an 11% decline. That’s almost four times the 2.9% deficit for the country as a whole.

The city is also trailing the recovery

elsewhere in the state. Sales tax collections statewide soared 21% in July compared with the same month a year ago, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli reported this week. The city’s increase: 14%.

The unemployment rate in the city for Black and Latino workers is above 12%, compared with a little over 9% for whites, according to Parrott’s research.

Underemployment, which includes those with part-time jobs who want to work full-time and those who have stopped looking for work, is almost 20% for Latino New Yorkers and more than 17% for Black residents — compared to 13% for whites living in the five boroughs.

Part of the problem, said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Randy Peers, is that businesses owned by people of color have been hit hardest by the pandemic, and they tend to employ more diverse workforces. This shows the need for support — especially financial help — for minority-owned businesses, he added.

A Pipeline Push The pandemic has only worsened what was already a chasm between workers of color and white workers that isn’t narrowed even by college degrees, according to a new study from Here to Here, a Bronx-based group that seeks to create a better employment pipeline for young New Yorkers of color. continued on page 5

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IMMIGRANTS’ CONCERNS

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NYC Loses Jobs from page 5 Here to Here found that only 14% of locally born Black and Latino residents are in occupations that pay either middle or high wages although they make up half of the workforce.

Meanwhile, 40% of Black and Hispanic New Yorkers with college degrees work in low-wage occupations — more than twice the figure for whites.

“New York faces a labor market challenge that others don’t,” said Lazar Treschan, vice-president for policy and impact. “Most places have a problem with brain drain. We get so much talent from other places it is a challenge to compete with them.”

To deal with that issue, Here to Here is championing an educational overhaul in city schools and especially the City University of New York that emphasizes hands-on learning and internships.

The group joins a growing chorus for reform from many organizations, like the Center for an Urban Future and the New York City Employment and Training Coalition, both of which are loudly calling for a revamp of the city’s workforce development programs to help New Yorkers of color compete for the thousands of tech jobs being created here.

“No college students have the handson skills to go into paying jobs,” said Gabe Forman of Duro UAS, a start-up company based in the South Bronx that

Francis Catalino-Rosario, 19, has an internship at The Bronx’ Montefiore Medical Center as a part of a program to get more young people of color in the jobs pipeline. Hiram Alejandro Durán/ THE CITY

is developing low-cost autonomous monitoring systems for water. “A lot of companies want hands-on experience, even for internships.”

Forman has created a separate workforce unit that has helped 300 students go through programs that give them internships and skills to win higher paying jobs.

All five of his engineers joined the company after internships with Duro.

His company is also part of Here to Here’s Pathways to Prosperity NYC, an organization trying to build public support for job training reforms.

Another member of Pathways, the Bronx-based Montefiore Health System, has created a series of programs to push students into higher paying jobs in health

care.

One program, called Invest, offers paid internships, career counseling and help with everything from child care to clothing needs. Funded by City Council grants, all nine participants since 2016 have landed jobs in the system.

Watching Vaccine Impact Francis Catalino-Rosario, a Hostos Community College student who has interned at Montefiore Medical Center since she was in high school, is working on the customer service desk this summer.

“I’m the first person you see when you come to the hospital,” she said.

The internships have helped her financially with college and given her crucial

experience, the 19-year-old added.

“When I was in high school I wanted to be a doctor, but the internships have convinced me I am a people person and I hope to become a registered nurse,” she said.

In the meantime, one key to the nearterm future may depend on the success of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s rule that only vaccinated people can enter restaurants, stores, museums and other indoor spaces.

“We’re still more than 100,000 jobs short of pre-pandemic levels in the industry,” notes Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York Hospitality Alliance. “I’m waiting to see what, if any, meaningful impact the new vaccine requirement for restaurant workers and indoor dining will have on employment since you can argue that some people may return to work because they feel safer.”

At the same time, the previously expected surge of workers returning to their offices after Labor Day is likely to be delayed until later in the fall. And the expiration of some unemployment benefits in early September could mean $500 million less flowing into the city every week.

“August is not looking good,” Parrott warned.l This story was published on August 19, 2021 by THE CITY.

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HOME OWNERSHIP

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Hidden Costs: What to Know When Buying a Home

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at least $1,000 but could easily end up costing $5,000 or more based on the loan you are receiving.

Since they can be so significant, it's a good idea to receive a full title cost statement a few days prior to closing.

hen purchasing a home, most people focus on what their costs of ownership will be after they close on the sale.

While the costs of a mortgage, insurance, taxes, and maintenance need to be accounted for, many people end up overlooking the costs that could occur prior to and during the loan closing.

Prior to purchasing a home, there are many unexpected costs that all home buyers need to be aware of: Third Parties The first cost that buyers need to be aware of is the cost of third-party services. When purchasing a new home, most mortgage lenders will require a borrower to order an appraisal and property inspection report. Most buyers will also benefit by hiring an attorney to review the loan documents and handle the closing.

While these services are very valuable, they can be quite expensive and could end up costing a few thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the purchase. Buying a home is a huge investment, you want to avoid shortcuts and oversights that may come back to haunt

you. Prevention is always better than cure.

Bank Charges Another commonly overlooked expense is the cost of closing with the bank.

While mortgage lenders are very forthright with their interest rate offers, they may not always tell you — and sometimes simply don't know — exactly what the total closing costs will be until the deal gets closer to completion.

Closing costs with banks will include the origination fees, mortgage points, underwriting fees, title costs and various other costs. These expenses are typically

Tax Bill A significant fee that many home buyers forget to include in their budget is the cost of paying city or state taxes.

Depending on what state the home is being bought in, there could be hefty purchase costs, mortgage stamp taxes or transfer fees. In many cases, these fees could cost over one percent of the purchase price, not to mention the ongoing property tax bill after you purchase the home.

Overall, buying a new home makes perfect financial sense for many Americans.

It's just important that you know what one-time expenses to expect so there are no surprises at the closing table.

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

Now that you are ready to make the commitment, help is just a phone call away. Call us at 888-670-6791.We are ready to assist! l

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HOT TOPIC

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Beginning September 27th, City Will Require Proof of Vaccination for All NYC DOE Workers

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EW YORK: Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner (DOHMH) Dr. Dave A. Chokshi today announced a new health care mandate requiring all New York City Department of Education employees to provide proof of first dose of vaccination by September 27th.

“Keeping our students and staff healthy is our top priority,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “To keep our schools healthy and safe, we are now requiring all Department of Education staff to have at least one dose of the vaccine by September 27. Together, we will create a safe and welcoming school experience for our kids.”

“As a parent, I put the health and safety of my children first, always. Parents can be assured this fall that their school communities and the phenomenal school staff our children interact with every day are protected by safe, effective vaccines,” said Schools Chancellor Meisha

Porter. “This is another layer to our multi-layered health and safety strategy and an important step in keeping our school communities safe.”

“The vaccine is both a personal defense against disease and a community defense against spread,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi.

“When it comes to younger children, our defenses are their defenses. This is the

right policy where it matters most – in our schools.”

This mandate is in alignment with recommendations from the CDC, which has recommended that school teachers and staff be vaccinated as soon as possible because vaccination is the most critical strategy to help schools safely resume fully in the fall. It will apply to all 148,000 Department of Education

(DOE) employees, including schoolbased and central staff, as well as DOE contractors who work in school-based settings. Currently at least 63 percent of DOE employees have at least one dose.

This number will continue to increase in the lead-up to the first day of school and reach one hundred percent by September 27th.

Employees will upload proof of their first dose to the DOE Vaccination Portal, which allows all DOE employees and students to provide their vaccination status and to upload proof of vaccination.

Accepted uploads can be an image of a vaccination card, NYS Excelsior Pass, or another government record. Submitting this information will support New York City’s pandemic response and recovery efforts, and help ensure that the DOE is a safe place to work for all employees and a safe place to learn for all children.

More information about locations where New Yorkers can receive a vaccine for COVID-19 can be found at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. l

YOU ALWAYS KEEP THEM SAFE. WITH VACCINES, THEY’LL BE EVEN SAFER. CHILDREN AGES 12-17 CAN NOW BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

Get your child vaccinated for a safe return to school. Children who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to get and spread COVID-19.

LET’S KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE AND OUR SCHOOLS COVID-FREE. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and where to get one, visit nyc.gov/covidvaccine.

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EDUCATION

Overcoming Learning Loss Begins at Home

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chool closures. Widespread distant learning and hybrid classrooms.

Two summer breaks. Since the pandemic started in March 2020, students in the United States have faced numerous challenges. While educators nationwide have done their best to shift learning to reach all students, studies show cumulative learning loss could impact students for years to come, especially for students of color.

What is learning loss?

"Learning loss refers to how much knowledge a student loses or misses over a period of time," said Dr. Rebecca Palacios, Age of Learning, Curriculum Board Member. "Summer learning loss happens when schools close for summer vacation, but new studies show the shifting learning environment during the pandemic had a similar impact on knowledge gain and retention."

On average, students lose between 25% to 30% of their school-year learning over the summer, according to the Brookings Institution, with Black and Latino students losing more over the summer compared to white students. This learning loss is compounded by pandemic learning loss.

Last fall, McKinsey research found that students in grades K-5 were on average three months behind in mathematics due to the pandemic. Students of color were about three to five months behind in learning, while white students were

about one to three months behind.

Reading skills loss was found but not as significant, with students a month and a half behind historical averages.

Hispanic communities in particular have faced pandemic hardships, which exacerbate student learning loss.

According to the Pew Research Center, about half of Latinos in the United States have a family member or close friend who has been hospitalized or died from the coronavirus. Additionally, a similar amount say they or someone in their household has lost a job or taken a pay cut during the pandemic.

How to help students One of the most impactful ways you can assist students with learning loss happens at home. Palacios said parents and caregivers can create an environment of learning by taking a few simple steps and encouraging kids to engage in learning every day:

Step 1) Quality screen time Children have more readily relied on screens for entertainment throughout the pandemic, but not all screen time is created equal. Monitor what your kids watch on TV and opt for educational programming that underscores age-appropriate social and educational skills.

Choose smartphone and tablet apps that are a positive influence on their development as well.

One example of fun, quality screen time is ABCmouse. Designed by educational experts, and utilized in classrooms, this affordable program features more than 11,000 learning activities in literacy, math, science, social studies, art, music and more. Parents, caregivers and children can navigate major features in English or Spanish, and there is a tracker that allows parents to see how much progress a child is making.

Step 2) Daily reading Reading is an important activity that helps support the developing brain in addition to helping children learn important literacy skills. Whether it's reading out loud to a young learner or helping select a book to grow a new reader's confidence, supporting students' reading matters.

In addition to traditional books, explore audio books, digital or e-books, as well as other sources for reading such as newspapers, comics and magazines.

Know a second language? Make time to read in both with children. Just 20 minutes of reading a day can have a big impact on students learning and help them catch up from learning loss.

Step 3) Teachable moments Hands-on learning is one of the most effective ways for students to retain knowledge, and fortunately for parents and caregivers, learning opportunities present themselves every day. Shift to an educator's mindset and look for ways you can include your child in daily activities to help them learn new skills.

For example, involve kids in measuring and mixing while cooking in the kitchen.

Get the family outdoors to help grow a garden. Count your change together at the grocery store. Have older children help you build a project or fix something around the house. Life is full of teachable moments if you take the time to pause and get children involved. (BPT)l

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FAMILY MATTERS

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5 Things You Should Know Before Getting Divorced how things will work. Understand that you may have to make some sacrifices to get the things you really want. It will be best if both parties agree on who gets what without dragging it out in court.

BY JANET HOWARD, 311DIVORCE.COM

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ivorce has become more common than in previous years. There has been significant research into understanding the reason behind these changes and the essential things an individual must know before getting a divorce. Divorce is serious, and sometimes couples end up working things out and remarrying, but that is not the usual outcome.

Being sure about the divorce is one of the key factors to focus on when deciding whether or not to get a divorce. Once you are sure that divorce is the best option, the working pieces of the divorce will come into play. If the two of you have purchased a home together or any other property, there will need to be discussions that include how property will be split between the two parties. In addition to property distribution, an understanding must also be reached regarding custody of children as well as the responsibility of any joint debts. Finally, hiring an attorney may be in your best interest. Some divorces can be completed due to "no contest" laws in which both parties are amicable and agreeing on all aspects of

the case. This type of divorce often requires that no children were born from the marriage. Understanding these five concepts can assist in the planning necessary when divorce is the selected path.

Are You Sure?

Getting a divorce can be challenging to deal with. Deciding that the person you swore your life to is no longer the person you want to grow old with is devastating.

You may have feelings of regret that cause you to question everything. If you are the one who walked away, it can be challenging to stick to your decision and follow through with the divorce. If there

is any question in your mind, stop and take a few days to process. This is why you need to be sure that you no longer want to be with your spouse. Once you have come to a solid conclusion that you want to be divorced, you can move on to other things.

How Will Property Be Split Once you are sure that divorce is what you want, you must figure out how the property will be split. When you get divorced, dividing property can be an issue. If this is an amicable divorce, the two of you can agree on splitting everything 50/50. Most of the time, this is not

Where Will The Children Go? One of the most difficult components of divorce is the children. No one wants to be the parent stuck with weekends and holidays. There is a short end of the stick with this, and there is no uncomplicated way to go about doing it. If the two of you cannot agree, it will have to go to the courts. When this happens, your divorce case can extend an extra 6 months to a year. It is vital to keep your cool during this phase so you do not jeopardize your chance of maintaining at least an equal portion of custody over the children.

Think about their schooling and how they may be uprooted from everything that they know. What may have previously been their comfort zone is likely to be snatched away, and children often have difficulty processing the accompanying emotions. Just remember that your children have feelings too, and they will have strong feelings but may be unable to show

continued on page 10

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FAMILY MATTERS

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WARNING: Email from FTC Chair Lina Khan About Coronavirus Money is Fake

BY ALVARO PUIG

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cammers are impersonating Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan in a new phishing scheme. The email says the FTC wants to send you Coronavirus relief funds and tells you to send some personal information, like your name, address, and date of birth. The FTC is not distributing Coronavirus economic stimulus or relief money to people. The email is a scam.

Don’t reply.

If you get an unexpected email that asks you to reply – or call or click a link – to give somebody personal or financial information, don’t. It’s probably a phishing scam trying to steal your money.

Report the phishing email to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and forward it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at report-

phishing@apwg.org. (If scammers contact you by text message or phone, report that, too.)

Scammers lie and make up fake stories to rip people off.

Learn how to recognize and avoid other phishing l Alvaro Puig is a Consumer Education Specialist at the FTC

Before Getting Divorced continued from page 9 them. They also may worry that they will be forced to choose between their two parents.

Know Your Debt Another critical component involves you and your money. You must be aware of and understand any debts you owe. Even if it is your spouse's account, but your name is on it, you could be responsible for the debt. The best thing you can do is call your creditors and have them put the debt in the name of whoever's planning to keep control of the asset. For example, if you both are on the loan you received for your house, you are both responsible. It is a good idea to go ahead and split debts and add the correct name to them so that you won't be blindsided by bill collectors calling.

Hire An Attorney One of the most important things to do is to hire an attorney. Getting a divorce is complex, and having an attorney to draft and file the paperwork makes it much more manageable. They also have more excellent knowledge regarding divorce and can give you some valuable tips and tricks. There are many tasks involved with a divorce that will cost quite a bit of money. Your attorney will put together the paperwork and have a processor serve your spouse.

This service is not free and is just one of the many extras that may come with hiring an attorney. On the bright side, an attorney will know your rights and be able to get your divorce started and completed within a reasonable timeline.

Overall, many things factor into your getting a divorce. You must be sure to keep all these things in mind when you start the process.

It could take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on each factor. You must stay strong and vigilant so that you can get things done in a reasonable time. l

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MONEY MATTERS

11

Auto Loan Refinancing Scams

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f you're having trouble paying your car loan, you might think about doing business with a company that says they can get you lower monthly payments. But not all refinancing companies play by the rules. Scammers will just take your money and do nothing in return. Learn how to recognize, avoid, and report these scams.

What the Scammers Tell You Scam companies that promise to lower your car payments often: •say they have relationships with lenders when they don’t f•eature fake testimonials from “satisfied” customers on their websites •falsely claim to have a money-back guarantee if they can’t make a deal with your lender •make specific, but false, claims about how much they will reduce your monthly payment How the Scam Works After promising you that their services will lower your payments, the company will make you pay several hundred dollars up front, in what they sometimes refer to as an “enrollment fee.” The company might tell you to stop making car payments while it negotiates a deal with

your lender. In some cases, the company then tells you it needs more money to keep working on your case. The company might even tell you to make your payments directly to it so the company can pay your lender on your behalf.

In reality, the company isn’t negotiating with anyone, and if you are start making your monthly payments to the company those payments are likely going straight to the scammers’ pockets (and not to your loan). You may only realize that when your lender contacts you about missed payments or your car is repossessed.

What to Do if You Can’t Afford Your Payments If you’re having trouble making car pay-

ments, contact your lender as soon as possible to talk about your options. The longer you wait, the fewer options you’ll have.

Auto loan modifications usually involve pushing missed payments to the end of the loan or extending the loan term — say, from 60 months to 72 months. A modification can get you some breathing room now but it will increase the total amount you pay in interest over the life of the loan, even with a lower interest rate. Lenders rarely cut the total amount of principal or interest rate you have to pay as part of an auto loan modification.

What to Know About Repossessions If you don’t make your car payments on time, your lender might have the right to repossess your car without going to court or telling you in advance. Your lender also might be able to sell your loan to a third party — called an assignee — who may have the same right as the original lender to take your car.

Report a Problem If you think you’ve been ripped off, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general.l

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IN THE NEWS

12

AG James Announces Indictment of Bronx Clinic Owner for Stealing More Than $4 Million from New York Taxpayers

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EW YORK: New York Attorney General Letitia James on August 20, announced the indictment of Leslie Montgomery, 50, of the Bronx for defrauding New York state out of millions of dollars in false Medicaid claims.

Montgomery — who did business as Healthy Living Community Center (Healthy Living) and owned LCM Livery P/U, Inc. (LCM Livery) — allegedly scammed individuals and taxpayers through an elaborate scheme, whereby Montgomery advertised a fake housing assistance program to lure lowincome New Yorkers into providing their personal information, including their Medicaid numbers. Montgomery then used that personal information to submit false claims for custom-molded back braces to MetroPlus Health Plan, Inc. (MetroPlus), a Medicaid-funded managed care organization, for braces that were not needed and never ordered by

patients. Montgomery is accused of stealing more than $4 million from the illegal scheme.

“Cheating taxpayers by preying on vulnerable New Yorkers is disgraceful and unacceptable,” said Attorney General James. “This alleged scheme took advantage of those most in need, baiting individuals with fake promises of affordable housing, only to use their personal information to steal more than $4 million from taxpayers. This fraud will not go unchecked. We will go after anyone who steals from New Yorkers.”

In the indictment, the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) alleges that Montgomery regularly used social media to advertise a sham housing assistance program as a ruse to lure low-income New Yorkers to Healthy Living. Healthy Living then required New Yorkers to divulge personally identifiable informa-

Editorial credit: a katz / Shutterstock.com

tion — including their Medicaid numbers — in order to qualify for the purported program. But instead of helping New Yorkers find housing, Montgomery used their personal information to submit false claims to MetroPlus for highly customized back braces that she never provided to the Medicaid recipients. From time to time, Montgomery provided a

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$20 “off-the-shelf” back brace that was mailed directly from Amazon to the recipient. However, most of the time, she provided no brace at all, yet still billed MetroPlus between approximately $750 and $1,550 per back brace. Altogether, Montgomery is accused of pocketing more than $4 million from the scheme.

The indictment — filed in Bronx County State Supreme Court — charges Montgomery with one count of Grand Larceny in the First Degree, a class B felony; one count of Health Care Fraud in the First Degree, a class B felony; one count of Money Laundering in the First Degree, a class B felony; and five counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree, a class D felony. In addition to the charges against Montgomery, LCM Livery is also charged with one count of Money Laundering in the First Degree. If convicted on the top charge, Montgomery could face up to 25 years in state prison.

In conjunction with the criminal case, the OAG has also filed a civil complaint against Montgomery, LCM Livery, and other companies owned and controlled

by Montgomery. The complaint — which asserts violations of New York’s False Claims Act, Section 145-b of New York’s Social Services Law, and other causes of action — seeks to recover millions of dollars in Medicaid money obtained by these defendants as a result of their fraudulent conduct.

The charges against the defendants are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty in a court of law.

Reporting Medicaid Provider Fraud: MFCU defends the public by addressing Medicaid provider fraud and protecting nursing home residents from abuse and neglect. If an individual believes they have information about Medicaid provider fraud or about an incident of abuse or neglect of a nursing home resident, they can file a confidential complaint online on the OAG website or by calling the MFCU hotline at (800) 7717755. If the situation is an emergency, please call 911. l

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HOW TO GET A GREEN CARD

13

Green Cards for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens f you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you can become a lawful permanent resident (get a Green Card) based on your family relationship if you meet certain eligibility requirements.

You are an immediate relative if you are: •The spouse of a U.S. citizen; •The unmarried child under 21 years of age of a U.S. citizen; or •The parent of a U.S. citizen (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older).

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•You are admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residence or eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief; and •You merit the favorable exercise of USCIS’ discretion.

•An approved Form I-130 on your behalf; •A pending Form I-130 (that is ultimately approved); or •A Form I-130 (that is ultimately approved) filed together with your Form I-485.

This article provides specific information for immediate relatives in the United States who want to apply for lawful permanent resident status while in the United States. This is called “adjustment of status.”

Bars to Adjustment Depending on how you entered the United States or if you committed a particular act or violation of immigration law, you may be barred from adjusting status. You are ineligible to apply for adjustment of status if one or more bars to adjustment listed in section 245(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) apply to you.

Eligibility for Adjustment of Status If you are currently in the United States, in order to be eligible for a Green Card as an immediate relative, you must meet the following requirements: •Inspected and Admitted or Inspected and Paroled •Generally, to be eligible to adjust status, you must be present in the United States after being “inspected and admitted” or

“inspected and paroled” by an immigration officer. There are some limited exceptions to this eligibility requirement.

Eligibility to Receive an Immigrant Visa You are eligible to receive an immigrant visa if you are the beneficiary of: •You properly file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; •You were inspected and admitted or inspected and paroled into the United States; •You are physically present in the United

States at the time you file your Form I485; •You are eligible to receive an immigrant visa; •An immigrant visa is immediately available to you at the time you file your Form I-485 and at the time USCIS makes a final decision on your application; Note: A visa is always available for immediate relatives.

•The relationship to the family member who filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for you still exists; •None of the applicable bars to adjustment apply to you;

Applying Under INA 245(i) You may be able to adjust status under INA section 245(i) even if you are subject to one or more adjustment bars and continued on page 14

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HOW TO GET A GREEN CARD As House Budget Resolution Passes, Latinx Community Gets Closer to Pathway to Citizenship and More!

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ATIONWIDE: The House of Representatives took a critical step in building back better for Latinx and other communities when it included a pathway to citizenship in the $3.5 trillion budget resolution passed on August 24. The framework establishes a way forward for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries, and millions of essential workers, in addition to paid leave and climate initiatives. The House of Representatives is set to hold a second vote on the $1 trillion infrastructure package by Sept. 27.

"We applaud the representatives who stood with their constituents to empower our communities. But this fight is not over. Poder Latinx will continue to push our lawmakers to ensure these provisions remain in future versions of this bill. The 'Build Back Better' agenda holds the promise of a pathway to citizenship, access to quality education, paid leave, and action on the climate

crisis," said Adonias Arevalo, national organizing director for Poder Latinx.

"Our community has worked for decades to see an impactful agenda such as this advance. This budget resolution provides a pathway to citizenship for millions of essential workers, paid leave for families, and so many other provisions that we have fought for tirelessly over the course of a generation," said Ben Monterroso, senior advisor for Poder Latinx.

"We're proud of our work to ensure that this deal was passed and commend the decision of lawmakers who heard the voices of their constituents in this legislation. When this resolution finally becomes law, Americans from all walks of life will benefit. However, if there are any attempts to strip this bill of the key provisions benefitting our communities, we will once again raise our voices and make sure our elected officials are held accountable to us, their constituents," said Yadira Sanchez, coexecutive director at Poder Latinx.l

14 Immediate Relatives/ continued from page 13 are therefore ineligible for adjustment of status under INA section 245(a).

Grounds of Inadmissibility To qualify for a Green Card, you must be admissible to the United States. Reasons why you may be inadmissible are listed in INA 212(a) and are called grounds of inadmissibility.

In general, USCIS can only approve your Green Card application if none of the grounds of inadmissibility apply to you. As the immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, the following grounds of inadmissibility does not apply to you: •Labor certification and qualifications for certain immigrants (INA 212(a)(5)) If you are inadmissible, the law may allow you to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief. See Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility and Form I212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States after Deportation or Removal. If a waiver or other form of relief is granted, USCIS may approve your application for a Green Card if you are otherwise eligible.

Whether a waiver or other form of relief is available depends on the specific inadmissibility ground(s) that applies to you and the category you are adjusting

under. Eligibility requirements for waivers and other forms of relief vary.

How to Apply If you are currently in the United States and you meet certain other requirements, you may file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status to apply for a Green Card without leaving the country. This is called “adjustment of status.”

As an immediate relative, you may file your Form I-485 together (“concurrently”) with the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative filed on your behalf, while the Form I-130 is pending, or after the Form I-130 is approved (and remains valid).

Immigrant visas for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are unlimited, so the visas are always available.

Family Members If you are the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen’s immediate relative, you must independently qualify for a Green Card and file your own application. You cannot qualify for a Green Card as the derivative beneficiary based on the immediate relative’s application.l —USCIS.gov Note: Immigration Law is complex.

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BIDEN ADMINISTRATION

15

TX Court Issues Stunning Order: US Gov’t Can’t Set Priorities for Immigration Enforcement

BY REBEKAH WOLF

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udge Drew Tipton of the Southern District of Texas on August 19 blocked a set of enforcement priorities the Biden administration had issued in January and February 2021 in an attempt to focus limited enforcement resources. This preliminary injunction will be in effect beginning September 3 unless it is overturned. It can remain in effect until the full case against the enforcement priorities is decided.

The enforcement priorities are laid out in two memos from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and have been in use since February 18. They directed local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices to focus their efforts to arrest, detain, and remove certain categories of people. The priorities are those who were deemed a Public Safety Risk, a National Security Risk, or a “Border Security” Risk (people who entered the U.S. on or after November 1, 2020). Significantly, the enforcement priorities are written as “guidance” and

allows for local offices to also conduct enforcement activities against people who do not fall into those categories as well.

The states of Texas and Louisiana sued the U.S. government in April. They claimed the enforcement priorities harmed them by allowing ICE to not detain immigrants they say the government “must” detain: those with specific criminal histories, both during their removal proceedings and after a removal order is final during the “removal period.”

Texas and Louisiana claimed that they were harmed in two ways: that their citizenry was being subjected to crime committed by immigrants the U.S. govern-

ment should be detaining, and that they were having to use state resources to pay for the education and medical expenses of immigrants who should be detained.

The U.S. government pointed out that enforcing immigration laws is within the authority of the federal government, and the executive branch, specifically. The U.S. government does not have the capacity to enforce immigration proceedings against the millions of people who may be subject to removal from this country. It therefore must set priorities.

Additionally, it pointed out that the enforcement priorities do not prohibit enforcement against anyone—they are guidance only.

Unfortunately, the Court agreed with

the states of Texas and Louisiana. In doing so, it ordered ICE to stop using the enforcement priorities, beginning September 3.

The Texas court ordered ICE to detain immigrants in a much more restrictive way than the agency has ever had to since this law was enacted. For example, ICE has never been required to immediately detain someone when they are released from criminal custody. Often, ICE takes months or even years to detain someone for an old criminal conviction.

Or it has chosen not to detain those people at all. The Texas judge is now telling ICE to detain anyone subject to this section of the law, and report to it every month when it does not take someone into its custody directly from criminal custody, and why.

It is clear that the state of Texas is leading a charge to try to force the Biden administration to continue the dangerous, inhumane immigration enforcement policies of the Trump administration.

Unfortunately, it has found sympathetic ears in some courts.l

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GENERATIONS

17

Gratitude: Pass It On

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people feel cared for and appreciated by reaching out to them. If someone has been on your mind lately, give them a call and ask how they've been doing.

Even doing someone as small as sending a text or email to let them know you care can mean a lot.

Thank People When They Do Something Nice for You One of the easiest ways to express your gratitude to someone after they have done something nice for you is to simply tell them thank you. For instance, whenever someone gives you a gift, invites you to join them on an outing, or offers you their well wishes, you need to make it a point to personally thank them. By thanking them, you let them know that you appreciate their act of kindness and generosity. While handwriting a thank you note might sound a bit old fashion, don't overlook its power in expressing gratitude. Most people consider a handwritten note more thoughtful than sending an electronic (text or email) message.

Lend a Helping Hand to Those in Need Lastly, one of the best ways to show your gratitude toward others is by offering to help them when they have a need. For example, let's say that a friend is moving to a new apartment. You could ask them if they need any help packing and moving. If you aren't able to help them pack/move, you could offer to get them some moving boxes and packing material. Even if they decline your offer for assistance, they will likely still appreciate it. Plus, they might return the favor by helping you someday.

In short, don't go through life without expressing your gratitude for those who mean a lot to you. Take the time to tell others thank you when they do something nice for you, as well as include them in your plans. If you know someone who has had a lot on their plate lately, cook or buy them a meal. Furthermore, you should reach out to those who might be lonely and isolated from others. If you know someone who has a need, offer to help them meet it if you can.l

BY CHRIS TOBIAS here's nothing more rewarding — for yourself and those around you — than to live your life with an attitude of gratitude. Not only does being grateful for what you have make you a happier person — but it also shows others in your life just how much you value them. Here are some tips on how to show your gratitude toward others.

Include Others In Your Plans Another way to express your gratitude to others is by including them in your plans.

For example, you can likely think of someone to invite when you are planning an outing like catching a ballgame, attending a concert, or even just going out to eat at your favorite restaurant. Take the time to invite someone. Chances are, they will really appreciate you asking.

It's common for people to feel left out when all of their family and friends seem really busy. Therefore, you can make someone feel good by knowing that you want to include them in your plans.

Buy or Cook a Meal for Someone as a Thoughtful Gesture Food is one of the best ways to warm someone's heart, as well as show them how much you appreciate them. If you

have a friend, family member, or colleague who has been especially busy, surprise them with a meal. For instance, if you know their favorite food, you could cook it for them or buy a meal from one of their favorite restaurants. Very few people will say no to a free meal. In fact, most people will feel really special after you take them time to cook or buy food for them.

Reach Out to Others As mentioned, people can feel left out sometimes in life. Furthermore, it isn't that uncommon for people to also get lonely — especially if they don't have a lot of friends and/or family around.

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JOBS & RECESSION

18

Four Steps to Finding a Job

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

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veryone needs a job, but few applicants actually know how to get one. For most people starting out in the job market, it's a process of trial and error-- mostly error. But it needn't be that way. Finding the right opening and conducting a professional interview is part common sense, part luck. It can all be boiled down to four simple steps: locate, prepare, execute, and follow up.

Locate The most obvious step is to locate the right position for yourself. This is perhaps the most time-consuming and crucial step of all because you don't want to waste time applying for positions that you have little chance of getting, and you do not want to be stuck in a miserable place.

You should be scanning all the online job boards and put together a good, flattering but honest résumé that is brief, accurate, and tells the potential employer what you can do for them.

Write a short but forceful cover letter that sells the hiring manager on your drive and ability to help them get work done. There are countless examples online; look for example at the Career Resources tab of Monster.com, where you will find a lot of advice.

Prepare Research local employers where you would like to work; study their websites, look at the positions they have advertised, and read the news about the company. When you write your cover letter, you should sound like you know exactly what they need. You are your own best advocate, so sell yourself.

When you go in for an interview, you should know as much about the company as possible. Don't blow this off because you're too busy, or you doubt they'll hire you. Doubt translates into failure. Do the work up front and you will delight and amaze the hiring manager with your knowledge of the business. It doesn't matter whether you're going for a minimum wage job stocking shelves or a computer programming job; be a winner and let them know you're a winner.

Execute From the minute you arrive, you are executing your plan to advance your career.

That means, you show up well-dressed, with a comfortable safety margin and, if necessary, wait in your car or at the café or in the lobby until it is five minutes before the appointment, then go in and get the job.

You do not want to show off your nose stud and forehead tattoo. Societal norms are evolving, but it's safer to project a moderate, pleasant persona who will get

along with 20-year-olds and with 75year-olds. Don't make a political statement of any kind in how you dress and comport yourself.

Above all, you want to project strength and confidence and humor. You are pleasant and easy to get along with and you have prepared answers to average interview questions (more on that below). If you can execute this plan well, the hiring manager will enjoy meeting with you and will come away from the interview feeling great about you.

Even if you don't get the job after the first meeting, you have made an inroad that may pay off later.

Interview questions are a topic for an entire article unto itself. To summarize: questions are generally designed to test your ability to get along and become a valuable team player. They may ask you questions about your home life, what kind of food you like, what sports you follow; this is just to get an impression of you as a human being. Give them honest answers and don't forget to smile and be humble. This is your chance to show them you're a fun person to be around.

They may try to test your knowledge, sometimes with ridiculous trivia questions that can be most annoying. They may give you a written test. Take it all with a grain of salt, and be good spirited about it. Chances are, they had to go through the same thing, so show them

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you understand that it's a necessary chore to get through.

Challenging questions are usually meant to see how you respond under pressure.

If you have no ready answer to an odd question, provide a smooth, comforting response that reassures them you know how to find the answer. People in customer care are expected to handle great stress, and this is your opportunity to demonstrate that ability.

Follow up Don't neglect this final, crucial step. It may be that they will close the interview with something like "Thank you for your time; we will get back to you by Friday."

Don't wait by the phone. Go ahead and email the hiring manager or recruiter if you have their email and thank them for their time. It's surprising how many people forget that the hiring process is tedious and time-consuming for those involved, and a little appreciation goes a long way.

You may also feel free to send them more information about yourself. "After our interview, I realized you might be interested in more details about my previous work..." "Here's another story of how I helped a customer solve a big problem."

Don't flood them with follow-up emails; one is sufficient. If they say, "Don't contact us; we'll be in touch" then you obviously need to respect that rule but be thinking of ways to stand out from the crowd. It's reasonable to ask them an informational question, for example, as an excuse to be in touch: "Sorry to bother you, but I was wondering about this detail about your 401(k) plan." If this kind of inquiry annoys them, then you have learned something valuable about this company -- they might not be a place you wish to work!

The most important thing of all is to not become discouraged. Job hunting is like building Rome: it doesn't happen in a day. The more you do it, the better you will become, and the more jobs you get, the easier it gets to find the next one.

And one last thing: remember to have fun!l

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HEALTH

20

Immunocompromised People Make Up Nearly Half of COVID-19 Breakthrough Hospitalizations 19: T cells and B cells. B cells make antibodies that can bind to and inactivate viruses. T cells kill off virus-infected cells, prevent infection from further spreading and organize the body’s overall defense response. Different types of immunocompromising conditions and treatments can either kill or decrease the effectiveness of these key immune cells.

That can result in a hampered response to vaccines. As a result, people who are immunocompromised often need to follow different vaccination guidelines from people who are not immunocompromised to best protect themselves from infection. After a bone marrow or solid organ transplant, for instance, patients are routinely revaccinated against such infections as hepatitis B.

BY JONATHAN GOLOB THE CONVERSATION

T

he U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially recommended on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13, 2021, respectively, that people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

One reason for this recommendation is high hospitalization rates among immunocompromised people who are vaccinated. As of July 2021, nearly half of the vaccinated people hospitalized with breakthrough COVID-19 infections were immunocompromised – despite making up only 2.7% of the U.S. adult population. In comparison, the rate of breakthrough cases among vaccinated people who are not immunocompromised was less than 1%.

I am a physician scientist specializing in infections in immunocompromised patients. As someone who researches autoimmune disease and has worked on the COVID-19 vaccine trials, I agree that

a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine can help protect those with weakened immune systems.

What does it mean to be immunocompromised?

People who are immunocompromised have weakened immune systems. This can result from certain diseases and their

medical treatments, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, untreated HIV, organ transplant medications and some forms of kidney disease. The common thread is that the body’s defenses against infection are impaired.

Two parts of the immune system seem to be particularly important in protecting people from getting sick with COVID-

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COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for the immunocompromised Early on in the pandemic, researchers learned that immunocompromised people infected with COVID-19 tend to have particularly severe and long-lasting infections. This leads to prolonged viral shedding, meaning that the period during which these infected people release the virus as they breathe, talk and eat is much longer. Thus, they have a higher chance of transmitting the virus to others.

Long infections with poor immune responses are also ideal environments for the virus to evolve and adapt in ways that allow it to better infect people.

While immunocompromised people were not included in the initial COVID19 vaccine trials to avoid putting them at risk, subsequent studies revealed that the authorized two-dose mRNA vaccine regimens do not stimulate as strong a defense against COVID-19 for immunocompromised people. In particular, organ transplant recipients seem to develop fewer COVID-19 antibodies after vaccination. That’s not surprising, given that the medicines used in transplantation intentionally hamper antibody development to prevent the immune system from rejecting the donated organs. But since then, pilot trials in organ transplant recipients have shown that an additional dose of vaccine can help boost immune response.

The best protection for everyone against COVID-19 is to have as many people vaccinated as soon as possible. In the interim, a third vaccine dose can safely and effectively decrease the likelihood of severe COVID-19 in immunocompromised people. And consistently wearing masks, regardless of vaccination status and whether or not you’re immunocompromised, can also significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19.l

Jonathan Golob is an Professor of Infectious University of Michigan

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Assistant Disease,

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

21

Breakup: 6 Steps to Get Off the Emotional Roller Coaster

BY JENNINE ESTES, ESTES THERAPY

B

reakups, suck. Plain and simple.

A relationship breakup can be extremely difficult, painful, and emotionally draining. We often find ourselves on a horrible roller coaster of emotions. From day to day you shift between feelings of anger, depression, hopelessness, fearfulness, anxiousness, and a sense of being overwhelmed.

While in a relationship, people will plan for a future with their partner, along with the feelings of connectedness love, and belonging. However, once the relationship is over, these feelings often swing the other way, and you now have to face an aspect of the relationship that you never planned for or expected. No matter how long your relationship was, or the type of relationship, breakups are almost always an emotionally painful experience. Here are a few tips that can help recover from a breakup.

1. Let out some air Imagine for a second you have a balloon in your body. Now, imagine stuffing emotions down into this balloon every time you get sad, angry, or frustrated.

Just as helium balloons pop when they get full, so do the emotional balloons within us. The feelings you experience during a breakup can burst this balloon, leading to physical side effects like headaches, depression, and stomach aches. One of the best methods to release the internal pressure before it pops is talking about your frustrations with a trusted friend or therapist.

2. Journal Emotion can force our mind to go over the same thoughts time and again, forming a continuous thought loop. Cyclical thinking doesn’t get you anywhere and is counter-productive to eliminating an emotional roller coaster. Continuing these mental cycles only increases the pain, fostering more negative thinking.

Besides talking about your emotions, another way to confront these feelings is to journal. By writing down your thoughts, your brain gets time to relax.

Journaling solidifies your thoughts and can help you gain clarity.

3. Spend time with Friends and Family Time by yourself can be the biggest hur-

dle to getting off the emotional roller coaster. Rather than moping, spend time with a friend or family member for support, get help with being distracted, hear another perspective, and find some time for laughter. Being with the ones you love reminds you that life does go on, and you can still have good times in the future, despite your breakup.

4. Keep track of your thoughts We often ask ourselves questions which we cannot immediately answer in the wake of a breakup. These questions include: Why did this happen? What could I have done? What will happen now? Getting trapped in these questions often leads to a state of no longer being present in the moment; you leave the real world and go to a world of doubting thoughts and unanswered questions. You can get so caught up in the thoughts that all other aspects of your personal life get left behind. The thoughts can ignite an emotional roller coaster and will only keep you hurting and seeing the negative about the situation. Tell yourself to stop and shift your thoughts onto another topic.

5. Take it Off Your Radar Recovering from a breakup can cause you to be hyper-aware of your surroundings, especially when it comes to other couples and how they seem to be so happy. Try to refocus your attention on the more helpful parts of the environment. Notice the colors, the fresh air, and the beautiful environment. Avoid the thoughts of what you don’t have and shift your thoughts to what you do have.

6. Have Fun I think the title explains itself. Do activities that you enjoy, that give you pleasure, and that help you feel good about yourself. In this time of emotional pain, a little smile will go a long way.l

Jennine Estes, MFT is a Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego, CA. She is certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and a Supervisor. She write srelationship and self-growth advice for her column Relationships in the Raw. She is also the creator of #BeingLOVEDIs campaign.

MFC#47653

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WELCOME TO AMERICA

22

People of Color Made Up All of the United States’ Population Growth in the Last 10 Years

BY WALTER EWING

D

emographers have known for decades that the United States is well on its way to becoming a predominantly multi-racial and multiethnic society. New data from the 2020 Census reveals how rapidly that transformation is taking place.

Increasing numbers of people identify racially as either Asian or multi-racial.

Growing numbers of people identify ethnically as Latino (which can include people of any race). Meanwhile, the number who identify as non-Latino white-only has begun to decrease for the first time in U.S. history.

These trends should serve as a warning to politicians who rely on racist and xenophobic rhetoric to exploit the unease that many native-born, non-Latino whites feel about these demographic changes. Politicians who encourage fear of immigrants and minorities are playing to a shrinking base. Meanwhile, the number of Americans who come from minority or immigrant backgrounds continues to grow.

(The Census Bureau cautions that some of the differences between the results of the 2010 census and the 2020 census reflect improvements that were made in how race and ethnicity were measured in the 2020 census.)

The new data, as summarized by the Census Bureau and analyzed by The Brookings Institution, highlights several important demographic trends.

People of color are growing in number while the white-only population declines In 2020, more than two-fifths (42%) of people in the United States were people of color—meaning that they identified as belonging to a racial or ethnic category other than non-Latino white-only. This number has been increasing for decades.

People of color accounted for 36% of the U.S. population in 2010 and 31% in 2000.

Between 2010 and 2020, the growingnumber of people of color accounted for all population growth in the United States. The largest increases were in the number of people who identify as Latino

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(up by 11.6 million), multi-racial (up by 7.6 million), and Asian American (up by 5.2 million).

At the same time, the number of people who identify as non-Latino white-only shrank for the first time. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of non-Latino whites decreased by 5.12 million (a decline of 2.6%).

People of color now account for more than half of all young people The trend toward more people of color

and a smaller non-Latino white-only population is more pronounced among the nation’s youth. In 2020, people of color accounted for 53% of all young people in the United States under the age of 18.

Between 2010 and 2020, the number of youths identifying as multi-racial increased by 2.1 million and the number identifying as Latino grew by 1.6 million. At the same time, the number of youths identifying as non-Latino whiteonly shrank by 5.14 million.

Demographic trends have political implications These demographic trends carry important political implications. As the nonLatino white population continues to shrink, fewer and fewer Americans are likely to be swayed by politicians who rely on anti-immigrant and anti-minority rhetoric.

More than one-third of Latinos in the United States are immigrants and onethird are the U.S.-born children of at least one immigrant parent. Nearly three-fifths of Asian Americans are themselves immigrants. Though groups don’t vote as a monolith, it is unlikely that the rising numbers of Latinos or Asian Americans will be drawn to anti-immigrant political rhetoric that demonizes them and their families.

Similarly, Latinos, Asian Americans, and multi-racial Americans are unlikely to follow politicians who push the narrative that native-born, non-Latino whites should feel threatened by Americans who belong to minority groups.

There are still many politicians in the United States who are either trying to rise to power or cling to power by encouraging native-born white Americans to fear and hate immigrants (especially nonwhite immigrants) and minority groups.

But as the last few decades-worth of census data illustrates, these politicians and their followers are fighting a losing battle. The United States is becoming an increasingly multi-racial and multi-ethnic society—and no amount of hateful rhetoric is going to change that fact.l

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