Caribbean american passport news magazine december 2015 by caribbeanamericanpassport

FREE Your Passport to the Caribbean American Community

NEWS MAGAZINE

From the Management & Staff at the Caribbean American Passport News Magazine

Mango’s Tropical Café From

Ocean Drive Miami to I-Drive Orlando... From Conception...

Merry Christmas! ...To Reality

V.P Operations, Antonio Laracuente and His Team at Mango's are Ready for Orlando

Happy Kwanzaa!

Cuba - Open for Business

Happy Hanukkah! Without our readership, our advertizers, our sponsors and our supporters we would not be the No. # 1 Caribbean American News Magazine in the State of Florida Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

See Full Story & more on page 5

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L I F E S T Y L E

Guenet Gittens-Roberts, Publisher/Editor

Embrace your Past to Build Your Future

As we live our lives we experience tri-

umphs, failures, sadness, disappointSam Roberts, Publisher ment, we clear our daily hurdles, climb out of our valleys of darkness, and soar on the highs of our accomplishments. I’m a strong believer in the power of positive thoughts and a strong vision. If we maintain our focus on our dreams or vision we find ourselves clearing the hurdles as easy as a Olympic athlete in the 110 meter hurdles. If you look at the world’s greatest athletes as they run their races clearing the hurdles in front of them, they never look down, their focus is always straight ahead. Everyone’s life will have its good days and its bad days. We’ve lived our lives and we’ve made mistakes along the way however, every mistake, every fall, every failure is an opportunity to learn, improve and keep on moving on. Embrace the mistakes or tragedies in your life because it’s those experiences that make you who you are today. Every experience you’ve had in your life has impacted you in some way or the other and has therefore changed you, improved you because you’ve learned from that mistake. A positive mind-set is the greatest tool in your arsenal. I remember my senior year in college, I was getting ready to graduate with my degree in Civil Engineering and I was ready to take on the world, or so I thought. During the summer before I graduated I had worked with the family business back in Guyana and made an impression of a Jamaican company and they offered me a job in Jamaica after graduation. I finished all my required classes in May 1993 but I was going to actually graduate in July with the summer 1993 Graduating class. All my plans were set, I drove down to New York from Alabama A&M University, spent a few weeks with my brother before leaving for Jamaica. I was going to travel to Jamaica for the formal interview prior to coming back to the USA to graduate in July. My flight was booked from JFK New York direct to Jamaica on May 27th 1993. I made arrangement with one of my buddies to give me a ride to the airport. My bags were packed and loaded, we were on our way to the airport. I never made it to Jamaica. On Kings Highway ring in front of Kings Plaza, I was involved in an almost head-on collision. I broke as many bones as possible, because that’s just how I roll….if you going to do, do it big. Just kidding. I broke both arms, my left leg (in 2 places), fractured 2 ribs, fractured my jaw, fractured the cranium under my left eye and needed stitched above my left eye and under my chin. The point I’m trying to make, after telling you my life story, is that I never made it to Jamaica, never got the job there but with both arms in casts, and my left leg also in a cast, I

I met my wife. I worked with my physical therapist and pushed myself hard to recover. The accident was in May 1993, I made the Guyana National field hockey team and represented Guyana as the number 1 goalkeeper at the 17th Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games that were held in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The Games were held from November 19 to November 30, 1993. My path changed, I embraced it and moved forward. I have lived a full life and I have gone through many experiences, good, bad, ugly and a whole lot in between. But every one of those experiences have made me who I am, changing anything from my past changes my future and changes me. I'll quote a few greats: Booker T. Washington - "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome". Ralph Marston - "There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don't allow yourself to become one of them". Henry Ford - "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal".

GGR Marketing & Public Relations 1969 Alafaya Trail • Orlando, FL 32828 Office: 407-427-1800 Fax: 407-386-7925 Toll Free: 877-220-8315 For Media Information email: capnewsmagazine@yahoo.com Publisher: sroberts@caribbeanamericanpassport.com Sales: sales@caribbeanamericanpassport.com Info: .Info@caribbeanamericanpassport.com Should you desire to review past copies of the publication go to http://www.issuu.com/caribbeanamericanpassport and search for Caribbean American Passport News Magazine. Publisher ........................................................... Guenet Gittens-Roberts Editor & Publisher ............................................................... Sam Roberts Graphic Design & Layout ..................................... Jan Longwell-Smiley Contributing Writers: ............................................................ Tony Dyal ...................................................................................... Daniel Dhanraj .......................................................................................... Sandra Fatmi ...................................................................................... Rosemarie Roth ...................................................................................... Melissa Thomas ........................................................................................Sasha Watson ............................................................................................ Gail Seeram ........................................................................................ Kamal Abdool Contributing Photographers ............ ....................................Ted Hollins .......................................................................................... Sandra Fatmi ........................................... ..................................................David Muir .............................................. ..............................................Sam Roberts ..................................................................................... Ronald Williams ............................................................................................. Gail Zucker .................................................................................................... Ray Ali Distribution...............................................................................Roy Benn South Florida Distribution ..........................................Norman Williams Copyright (C) 2014 GGR Marketing & Public Relations. All rights reserved.

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Letters to My Lawyer™ GREEN CARD PROCESSING TIMES

an adult son or daughter. For immigrant visa petitions, the difference in age can result in lengthy wait times for the availability of an immigrant visa. For example, based on the December 2015 visa bulletin, permanent residents filing for a child (under 21), have waited almost 1.5 years, versus those filing for an unmarried son/daughter have waited 6.5 years for a visa to become available.

By Sasha Watson, Esq. Dear Lawyer, I am a lawful permanent resident since 2012. I have daughter in Jamaica who will turn 21 in June 2016. I planned to file for her when I become a US citizen. However, I was told if I file for her now before she turns 21 it will be faster as she will be treated as a child for the process instead of an adult. I need to know if this is true or if it is too late to have her paperwork processed as a child. Please help, Mom against the Clock. Dear Mom against the Clock Your daughter, provided you are able to file the petition prior to her 21st birthday, may benefit from the protections afforded under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA).

If you apply for your daughter and get a receipt notice that predates her 21st birthday, she will be protected and afforded the “child” designation under the CSPA and not be transferred to the lower preference category with longer visa wait times.

& Sari House 407-291-6900

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• Naturalizing Permanent Resident - If the petition was filed by a permanent resident and the parent naturalizes before the beneficiary turns 21, the beneficiary’s age “freezes” on the date the petitioner naturalized not the date of filing of the petition for alien relative.

The child would obtain CSPA protection provided they take the necessary steps to obtain an immigrant visa within 1 year of the availability of the visa or approval of the petition, whichever is later.

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• Immediate Relatives of US Citizens - CSPA “freezes” the age of the child as of the date of filing of the petition for alien relative.

• Relatives of Permanent Residents - CSPA allows the time a visa petition was pending to be subtracted from the beneficiary’s biological age at the time of visa availability so that the applicant is not penalized for the time in which USCIS did not adjudicate the petition.

Generally, a child is an individual who is under 21 years of age. Such individuals are considered the immediate relative of their petitioning parent. Once that individual turns 21, the immigration laws no longer refers to them as a child but as

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The CSPA was enacted to permit certain individuals to retain classification as a “child,” even if he or she has reached the age of 21.

The CSPA also provides opt-out provisions which would allow a child to remain in a certain preference category and not advance to another category, where visa availability is faster in a lower preference category. If you are facing issues dealing with age-out children, contact a lawyer to see what works best in your case. Regards,

Sasha Watson, Esq.. HAWM, PLLC. Letters to My Lawyer™ is a publication of Karlyn Hylton & Sasha Watson of Hylton, Adamson Watson, PLLC 120 E. Colonial Drive |Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: 407-802-3223 | F: 407-377-1971 Email: letters@hawmlaw.com This column is primarily for educational purposes as well as to give the reader general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide any legal advice whatsoever. By reading this column you understand that there is no attorney-cliet relationship between you and writer/pub-lisher. This column should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney. This column is not published for advertising or solicitation purposes. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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CUBA- Open for Business

Cont. from pg 1.

and investment mission to visit next year." Caribbean American trade and investment mission to visit next year."Plans are currently underway for a number of information sessions on "Doing Business with Cuba" during the first quarter of 2016 leading to an eventual On December 8 the Cuban Ministry of External mission to the island Relations held a ceremony and reception to mark toward the second half of the 43rd anniversary of the decision by Guyana, the year, he said. "Cuba is Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados to establish indeed a country in diplomatic relations with the revolutionary transition. Cognizant of government of President Fidel Castro. the need to be fully integrated into the global Visiting Cuba during that week was Florida financial system and to resident and former Guyana diplomat Wesley attract massive inflows of Kirton who told Caribbean American Passport capital through investNews Magazine in an interview that "The Cubans ment the Government of are very appreciative of the decision taken back Cuba and the Communist Wesley Kirton with brother Mark Kirton outside the then by Prime Ministers Forbes Burnham, Eric Party have agreed on a seold train station in Havana... Havana - Cuba. Williams and Errol Barrow and are prepared to welries "reforms" to provide for private local and foreign come both CARICOM based entrepreneurs and those from participation in the economyThis, coupled with the the Diaspora as they seek to explore new trade and investenlightened Obama policy of normalizing relations and ment opportunities on the island." movement toward the eventual lifting of the more than 50 Kirton disclosed that although the US embargo still exists year embargo, has sparked a new enthusiasm among Cubans, both the Cuban and US governments have agreed to a especially its youth. According to US embassy officials, some Caribbean American trade and investment mission visiting 27 per cent of the labor force of Cuba is now employed in the Cuba next year to begin to familiarize itself with the totally Cuban owned private sector while a significant opportunities and the procedures so as to be able to percentage are employed in joint venture associations participate in the Cuban economy as soon as US law permits between the state and private entrepreneurs. such involvement. He said that in meetings with both the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment and the US "US officials will not confirm or deny that the new Embassy in Cuba as well as the Cuban Chamber of investments in fancy restaurants, night clubs, shops and other Commerce "there is support for a Caribbean American trade tourism related enterprises are financed by foreign capital Cuba has hailed the role played by CARICOM member states in helping to push for normalization of its relations with the United States and is encouraging the Caribbean private sector to look into trade and investment opportunities now available on the island.

coming from the Cuban diaspora, mainly in Miami and New Jersey. Both the Cubans and the US seem to turn a blindeye to the movement of this capital which is still prohibited under the embargo, though US officials say legislation recently introduced in Congress provide for an easing of restrictions directed towards agricultural, bio-medical, information and communication technology and green energy projects.

In my meetings with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment, the Ministry of External Relations, the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and Cuban business owners and academics it is clear that they all agree that money is what the country needs now. "Cubans now have two passions...baseball and relations with America," said one academic. My new found friend Jesus Gonzalez, director at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment sums it up well: "We are proceeding without pause but not with haste. We would like the embargo to be lifted...but anyway, Cuba will survive." Kirton also reported that on December 10, representatives from Cuba and the U.S. held talks on direct postal services between the two countries. The Cuban delegation was headed by the island’s Ambassador to the United States, José Ramón Cabañas Rodríguez, while the U.S. delegation was headed by Executive Director of International Relations of the U.S. Postal Service, Lea Emerson. Both parties agreed to re-establish direct postal services between the two countries through a Pilot Scheme which will be implemented over the coming weeks, with the hope of eventually establishing a permanent system in the future. The date on which direct postal services will commence will be announced shortly, once the relevant technical, operational and security details have been resolved.

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COME MISTER TALLYMAN By Tony Deyal

Some of us older folk in Trinidad still refer to bananas as “figs” even though we know the two fruits are different. My cousin Savi took the easy way out and used the term “banana figs”. Banana is a fruit which all of us in the Caribbean have grown up with and have eaten “green” or ripe. Whether in soups, salads, mashed, boiled, baked, fried, “soused” in a salty lime pickle or just consumed greedily to fill the spaces in our hunger, we know it well. I remember Sophia Loren speaking about growing up in Italy during the Second World War. Life was difficult and people were starving. Someone gave her a shrivelled-up banana and, never having seen one before and not knowing that it should be peeled, she just gobbled it down. We do not only know the banana well but are known for it, not just its production but as a metaphor for our governance. William Sydney Porter, known as O. Henry, was famous for his short stories (including “Cabbages and Kings”). He first coined the term, “Banana Republic” not the clothing retailer owned by The Gap but as a term for a politically unstable country whose economy is largely dependent on exporting a limited-resource product such as bananas, oil, sugar-cane or even tourism. It is distinguished by a ruling group of business, political or army elites and a large, poor working class. This small group or oligarchy controls the national economy. Whoever leads it is the “Top Banana”. The top political bananas of the Caribbean are known as the Heads of Government with the unfortunate acronym HOGs. Because Trinidad, like some of the other Caribbean countries, was not dependent on bananas, we were unaware of its importance and more, its history. I remember laughing at a Grenadian boy who recited a couplet at a concert in our elementary school, “Saltfish and plantain me never eat at all/ but when the hard times come, me eat the skin and all.” Eating plantain or banana skin? come, me eat the skin and all.” Eating plantain or banana skin? You mad or what? Even the poem “The Song Of The Banana Man"

by Jamaican Evan Jones, while stirring and powerful it did not reach us with its theme so much as its tone. It might have reached the “cocoa panyols” or people of Spanish-descent who farmed bananas in the forested areas, but almost every yard in our village had some bananas growing and the market always had more than we needed. We had no idea that the “Gros Michel” (which we called “Grammy-shell”) had been wiped out by what is known in the trade as “Race 1” of a particularly virulent disease called Fusarium wilt or Panama Disease and was replaced by a species called Cavendish. In fact, up to last week when I read an article on the threat of complete extinction of bananas in Latin America and the Caribbean, I still thought of the large local or imported bananas as “Gros Michel” not knowing they had been replaced. In Trinidad, we also have a medium sized and very sweet type we call “silk fig” (known in Guyana as “apple” bananas). The best tasting though is a very small one we know as “chiquito” (Spanish for “tiny”). Every year when I see our President on the back of a pickup truck reviewing the motley troops in our Independence celebrations, something that happens in the other Caribbean countries as well, I always regard it as proof that we are the “chiquito” of Banana Republics and wonder what my hero O.Henry would have made of it all. Now our status as “Banana” Republics is threatened not by new visions of ourselves, better governance, or less pomp and ceremony but by a new circumstance. A new strain of Fusarium wilt (Tropical Race 4 or TR4) has moved from South East Asia to Africa and while not yet in the Americas the experts predict that a jump from these areas to the Americas is extremely possible. In fact, it is not an “if” but a “when”. What makes this story both poignant and urgent is that there is no cultural, physical or biological treatment to manage TR4. According to a report in the Washington Post, “While dozens of different varieties are grown around the world, often in close proximity to one another, commercially produced bananas are all the same (quite literally in fact, because they are effectively clones of each other).” The banana is the world’s most important fruit and is the main source of livelihood for many Caribbean people. The Post concludes, “We don't have a formidable replacement that's resistant to the new strain of Panama Disease. Once it reaches Latin America, as it is expected to, it could be only a matter of decades before the most popular banana on the planet once again disappears.” There was a hit song from a Broadway musical of the 1920s which owed its popularity to the play on words, “Yes, we have no bananas”. Now, following the death of King Sugar which should have taught us to diversify, we are facing another slippery slope. In a grisly pun, it has been suggested the now is not the time to go bananas but really if we give a fig for the region to come up with ideas and solutions. God and the big right hand will certainly help but we need to work with the scientists and companies like Chiquita to find a way out. Gros Michel, now Cavendish, perhaps something else, who knows? In the meantime, I think of my friend Errol who, we teased, could put a Gros Michel “fig” in his mouth sideways and whistle, and I mourn the carefree days of plenty, the passing of time and the time of many passings.

*Tony Deyal was last seen trying to cheer himself up with a banana riddle: What do you call two banana peels? A pair of slippers.

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Chloe Camacho

'Talent Runs in the Family'

Chloe Camacho is a young TrinidadianAmerican with an immense amount of talent and passion. At just ten years old, she has already made it onto the airwaves with a Christmas song titled “Candy Canes,” which she wrote herself a year ago and recorded this Camacho Family year. Chloe has a love for the Christmas season and everything that it embodies, and this is visible through her songs and poetry. Even before “Candy Canes,” Chloe was writing poems to express herself and the things around her. In addition to writing, she enjoys singing and dancing. Chloe takes after her father, Creig Camacho. When he heard Chloe’s music, he immediately brought it to local radio stations and within 12 hours he received a call notifying him that her song was in their rotation. With this much talent at such a young age, the future can only hold great things for Chloe.

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13 Latest Facts On The Caribbean Population In The US A News America Now - First

The US Census Bureau has released its latest estimates on the population in the US, including Caribbean and West Indians across the country. Here are 13 latest facts as obtained first by News Americas Now: 1. The US Census’ latest American Community Survey estimates show there are over 4 million Caribbean nationals, including Guyanese and nationals from Belize, living across the United States. That’s 4, 187,577 to be exact, according to the NAN analysis of the Census’ five-year estimates. 2. Over half are from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Cuba has the most with an estimated 1.1 million while the Dominican Republic accounts for over 940 thousand. 3. There are over some 600,000 Jamaicans across the U.S., the Census Bureau ACS survey claims – the third largest of any Caribbean group, and the most from the English-speaking Caribbean. 4. Haitians are the fourth largest group from the Caribbean in the United States and the most for the French-speaking Caribbean. They account for an estimated over 597 thousand. 5. Guyanese are listed as South Americans in the survey but counted as part of the Caribbean population by News Americas they are the second largest from the English-speaking Caribbean and estimated at over 265 thousand by the Census Bureau. 6. Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago are the sixth largest grouping of West Indians in the United States and the third largest from the Englishspeaking CARICOM region. They are estimated at over 232 thousand. 7. There are over 54 thousand Barbadians living in the US, Census estimates claim, the fourth largest grouping of the English-speaking Caribbean 8. Nationals of the Bahamas are put at just over 32 thousand across the U.S. 9. The Grenadian population across the U.S. is estimated at just over 32 thousands as well – at 32,021 exactly. 10. There are over 28 thousand nationals from the Commonwealth of Dominica estimated to be living in the United States. 11. Nationals from Saint Vincent & the Grenadines are estimated at over 22 thousand. 12. While Belize is listed as part of Central America, counted as part of the Caribbean population by News Americas, they are estimated at some 48 thousand. 13. The number of West Indians from other nations living in the U.S. is put at over one hundred and eight thousand. http://www.newsamericasnow.com/13-latest-facts-onthe-caribbean-population-in-the-us-a-nan-first/ www.caribbeanamericanpassport.com

Deltona Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration Weekend 2016 THEME: â&#x20AC;&#x153; Sharing My Vision of Americaâ&#x20AC;?

The Deltona DreamKeepers will host its annual Martin Lut-

ther King Weekend Celebration. The Dreamkeepers activities begin with the Annual Breakfast Celebration on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at New Hope Baptist Church located at 2855 Lake Helen Osteen Rd. Breakfast serving time is 8:30 and the program starts at 9:00 a.m. and will feature an inspirational speech by Dr. Edison Jackson, President of Bethune-Cookman University. Dr. Edison O. Jackson is the sixth president of Bethune-Cookman University. Born in Heathsville, Virginia, Edison O. Jackson received a B.S. in Zoology with a minor in chemistry, followed by a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Howard University. He also received a Masters of Arts in Theology from Union Theological Seminary in New York City; and in October 1983, he received a Doctorate in Education from Rutgers University. Dr. Jackson currently serves and holds memberships on a number of civic, educational and community boards. The Mistress of Ceremony for the Breakfast Event will be Joyce Cusack, Volusia County Council, At-Large Representative. She is a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 27th District. Cusack, who was awarded an honorary doctorate degree at BethuneCookman University, left the Florida Legislature in May 2008 due to term limits. In November 2010, she won the Volusia County Council at-large seat.

"Stop the Cycle of Hate"

By Sandra Fatmi

Since January 2015 there have been over 70 murders in Orange County. 80% were black people murdered by black people. Changing the Game for a New Generation "Stop the Cycle of Hate" Holiday Gala. This was the first annual event for the group, and was done under the umbrella of "Fruit of Glory Ministries" under the leadership of Sydel LeGrande, MD. The Gala is part of a strategic grassroots initiative to eliminate Black on Black Crime in our communities with children as the focus. This event was about the courageous young people who have suffered tremendous loss, and are living every day with tragic memories. Fruit of Glory's mission is to facilitate the transformation of economically oppressed, disenfranchised communities plagued with violence, into peaceful, economically strong neighborhoods; where the family unit is the core strength. Fruit of Glory Ministries, Inc, Dr. LeGrande, and their team have reached out to families in Tampa, Florida for over a decade. Fruit of Glory Ministries has endeavored to represent Jesus Christ in the community, by meeting needs, fulfilling dreams, and simply showing his love. Fruit of Glory has impacted the lives of thousand in the Tampa Bay area since 1998. In January 2015 the ministry expanded to Orlando, and this was their official campaign kickoff. This was truly an amazing event indeed. Several Community sponsors stepping up and donated gifts to the 14 kids honored, who lost a parent or sibling to street or domestic violence. As an FYI of the 67 counties in Florida.......Orange County is #7 in violent crimes. So for more information on how to get involved Call Dr. LeGrande at 407-792-4110

Prizes will be awarded to student finalists from the King Celebration Contest. Winners will be recognized and receive a monetary award at the 2016 Breakfast Celebration. The Breakfast tickets ($10) must be purchased in advance. Please contact Mike Williams (386-804-6136) There will be a Gospel Program on Sunday, January 17, 2016 starting at 4 p.m. This will take place at Trinity Assembly located at 875 Elkcam Blvd. We encourage ALL churches in the area to participate in the Gospel Program. Please contact Pastor Williams Bradley, Jr. @ New Hope Church (386-532-8291) for more information. This event is followed by a candlelight vigil.

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ImmigrationINFO

Immigration News For Our Community

Refugee Resettlement in the U.S. is a Solution not Problem By Attorney Gail S. Seeram, Gail@GailLaw.com 1-877-GAIL-LAW

@GailSeeram FREE In-Office Consultation FREE Live Chat www.MyOrlandoImmigrationLawyer.com The U.S. has a proud history and tradition of admitting refugees who have fled from their home country due to persecution based on religion, race, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. The U.S. refugee resettlement program has welcomed over 3 million refugees from all over the world and the program should not be shutdown or limited due to terror attacks; instead, the program should be utilized more by the U.S. to demonstrate our compassion, generosity and leadership. On November 13, 2015, President Obama addressed the G-20 summit in Turkey and stated the United States would continue to accept more refugees from Syria and elsewhere, though "only after subjecting them to rigorous screening and security checks." "Slamming the door in their faces would be a betrayal of our values," he said. "Our nations can welcome refugees who are desperately seeking safety and ensure our own security. We can and must do both." How does the refugee resettlement program work? The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a U.S. Embassy, or an authorized nongovernmental organization (NGO) can refer a refugee to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Once a referral is made, a Resettlement Support Center (RSC) funded and managed by Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) prepares the case for presentation to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The RSC helps the refugee and his /her family (if applicable) prepare their case file - taking photos, checking the facts in the files, collecting information for the security clearance process, etc. An officer of DHS’ United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) then interviews applicants. The interviewer adjudicates the case. If approved, the applicant and his/her family undergo medical exams, which are standard for all applicants seeking to reside permanently in the United States. Refugees approved for admission are offered a short cultural orientation program to introduce them to life in the United States. Once all security and health checks are complete, refugees are scheduled for travel to the US.

This legislation provided for the admission of an additional 400,000 displaced Europeans. Later laws provided for admission of persons fleeing Communist regimes from Hungary, Poland, Yugoslavia, Korea and China, and Cuba. Most of these waves of refugees were assisted by private ethnic and religious organizations in the U.S., which formed the basis for the public/private role of U.S. refugee resettlement today. In 1975 the U.S. resettled hundreds of thousands of Indochinese refugees through an ad hoc Refugee Task Force with temporary funding. This experience prompted Congress to pass the Refugee Act of 1980, which incorporated the United Nations definition of “refugee” and standardized the resettlement services for all refugees admitted to the U.S. The Refugee Act provides the legal basis for today’s U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and is administered by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM) of the Department of State in conjunction with the Office of Refugee Resettlement in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and offices in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Each year, the President of the United States, after consulting with Congress and the appropriate agencies, determines the designated nationalities and processing priorities for refugee resettlement for the upcoming year. The President also sets annual ceilings on the total number of refugees who may enter the U.S. from each region of the world. In response to Republican criticism, President Obama stated on November 18, 2015, "We are not well served when, in response to a terrorist attack, we descend into fear and panic…We don't make good decisions if it's based on hysteria or an exaggeration of risks." "Apparently they are scared of widows and orphans coming into the United States of America," he said later. "At first, they were too scared of the press being too tough on them in the debates. Now they are scared of 3-year-old orphans. That doesn't seem so tough to me." For more information, contact Gail Law Firm: Email: Gail@GailLaw.com Phone: 1-877-GAIL-LAW or 407-292-7730 www.MyOrlandoImmigrationLawyer.com FREE in-office consultation – FREE Live Chat

History of the U.S. Refugee Program: Following the admission of over 250,000 displaced Europeans in the wake of World War II, the first refugeelegislation enacted by the U.S. Congress was the Displaced Persons Act of 1948.

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For more Info: Call 1-877-220-8315 or 407-427-1800

Seasons Greetings

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Around Town...visit www.caribbeanamericanpassport.com for more photos Stronger Because Of It Holiday Gala - Photos by Brion Price Photography A celebration of resilience of those who have been transformative in the lives of others and have become stronger because of it.

Terry Olson. Director. Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs

Honorees included Soiree Event Center Owners, Naresh & Nadia Khublal

The Hastings with Chief of Police, of Windermere David Ogden, keynote speaker and his wife Shelly.

Attendees included the organizers of We Got Up, Baseball great Darryl Strawberry and the WFTV News Team

Toast to the Holidays Christmas Party - A Joint Professional Organizations ' Christmas Party at the Citrus Bowl

Chris Hill and friend with Interim CEO of Central Florida Urban League Glen Gilzean

Central Florida Association of Black Journalists Member Jonathan Blount with President LaFontaine Oliver

Moroccan American Business Alliance Members Photos by Ted Hollins

BASE CAMP Children's Cancer Foundation and Glorious Beautiful Hair were exhibitors at the Toast to the Holidays Christmas Party where they announced their newest program: BASE CAMP Caring Hair, providing human hair wigs to women and children with cancer will work with Joyce Ward, a master braider, wig designer and owner of Glorious Beautiful Hair Supply, a local business on Park Avenue in Winter Park who has created a line of wigs for women and children; Caring Hair Collection. . The collection is made up of Human and Virgin hair wigs of all textures and colors. These wigs can be sold to anyone that would like to buy a wig or sponsor a wig for a child. Joyce has created a line of human hair wigs for children, with smaller heads, that will give our local children another tool to help them along this climb. BASE CAMP Children's Cancer Foundation, is an affiliate of the American Childhood Cancer Organization, and serves children living and being treated in central Florida. To find out more about Base Camp go to www.BASECamp.org Lazhane M., an 11-year old local cancer patient, received the first wig from Joyce Ward of Glorious Hair Designs

Photos by Latoya Pritchard

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Around Town...visit www.caribbeanamericanpassport.com for more photos On the Mind of a Beautiful Woman Movie Premiere

Photos: Brion Price Photography

Greg Francis 6th Annual For the Kids Holiday Extravaganza

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Seasons Greetings

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Muslims & Islam My father was the best Muslim I ever knew. He understood that he lived in Trinidad and did not dress as if he was from the Middle East. Clean shaven, there was no need to grow a long and unkempt beard to prove or show he was a Muslim. When prayer time approached, he quietly slipped away and performed his religious duty. Never once I heard him condemn another's religion nor have I ever heard him say I am a Muslim. The way he conducted himself, the examples portrayed and the decency he showered upon his fellow villagers, people stated as he walked by; â&#x20AC;&#x153;there goes a Muslimâ&#x20AC;?. The centerpiece of our living room was the Bookcase filled with books on Health, Politics and the classic novels. At the center of the top shelf, maybe strategically placed, were three books - The Bible, The Quran and The Gita. It was my father's way of conveying to his children to learn and practice religious respect. Periodically I would pick up one of the three books and read some passages. However, I never felt the calling as my brother did. The stories and pictures of two perfect white people in the Garden of Eden, about Noah and the Great Flood or God creating the Earth in six days and then taking a five on the 7th didn't make sense to me. Later in life I've observed people who do not know what to do with this life yet dream of an eternal one. Although growing up in a Muslim home, we celebrated Diwali and Christmas with our fellow villagers sharing sawine and parsad and singing Christmas Carols. We were happy, poor but we did not know we were poor. Often there were Christian Meetings in the front yard of our shop called a Crusade. It gave me the opportunity to invite a girl I liked although too shy to sit next to her. I looked forward to Testimony Time when villagers came up to the microphone to confess their sins and then share how they've changed since they accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. I've often wondered if I went up for Testimony Time how much time I'll need to confess my sins. So what happened in the Islamic environment of my beloved Homeland. We were told we should no longer celebrate Diwali or Christmas, villagers started

to dress as if they were from the Middle East to attend Mosque, women should not sing at Islamic Functions and an increased mandate to recruit to Islam where even the incarcerated were targeted which ultimately led to Iman Yasin Abu Bakr and the 1990 coup attempt. The 1973 Oil Embargo led to huge price increases for crude oil and the Arabs were now floating in oil money. Saudi Arabia used their new found wealth to spread their view of Islam called Wahhabism which is a form of Islam that insists on a literal interpretation of the Quran. Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries like Libya were now pouring huge sums of money into Trinidad. Now "Missionaries" were arriving from Pakistan and the Middle East with their own warped interpretation of Islam. And The People lapped it up. I began to hear things like this world is only a test for the next world, Christmas is Haram and educated men believing there were 72 virgins waiting in Heaven if they died promoting Islam. The beloved Islam of my father was no more and the time had come for me to emigrate to the land where you can choose to worship or not worship unaware I'd also run into religious nuts in these United States. I understand why so many people identify with Donald Trump as he called for a halt to Islamic Immigrants although he used too broad a brush. Had Trump been more specific with the Immigrants targeted, he would've gained bigger support. Look at the recent shooting in San Bernardino. Tashfeen Malik was already radicalized in Pakistan and now the goal was to get to the USA. I must congratulate the radicals on their ingenuity coming up with the Marriage Website to attract American Nationals. I agree with Trump that we should delay construction of new mosques and monitor the existing ones closely. A true story about radicalization at an early age. A family member left his son in the care of a friend to run errands. The boy spotted a picture of Mahatma Gandhi on the wall and wanted to know more. Capitalizing on a teaching opportunity, his father's friend opened up a laptop and googled Gandhi. The child looked at a couple of pictures and began to read the biography. Once he read Gandhi was a Hindu, he demanded the lady close the laptop. He wanted nothing to do with a Hindu. The boy is nine years old and already Radicalized.

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JAMAICA DIASPORA ADVISORY REPORT WAYNE GOLDING SR, ESQ - JAMAICA DIASPORA ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER FOR THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES MEETS WITH JAMAICA’S AMBASSADOR RALPH THOMAS IN WASHINGTON D.C.....by Sandra Fatmi

ver the past year the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board Member in the Southern United States has been seeking to seriously solidify its advisory role to the Honorable Arnaldo Brown the Minister of State in Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affair and Trade, and take full opportunity of the membership to the Board.

The Ambassador was also briefed and updated on the activities and accomplishments of the Jamaican Diasporans and Organizations in the thirteen states in the Southern United States region. There were also explorative and extensive talks between the two with regards to the continued continued building of capacity The Board has provided prime access to the in the Diaspora, as we seek to true ear of the Government of Jamaica, and gather credible data, research the maintenance of a perennial partnership Diaspora expertise and work with the Jamaican Diaspora. cooperatively with the Embassy and Missions of Jamaica across This past November 19th, 2015 saw a quiet, the three regions. but important, one on one meeting at Jamaica’s Washington D.C Embassy This meeting with Ambassador between Wayne C. Golding Sr. Esq, the Thomas represented only one current Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board of a series of regular Member for the Southern United States and interactions over the past year Ambassador Ralph Thomas who is the between the Embassy of newly appointed Ambassador to the United Jamaica and the Jamaica States from Jamaica. Ambassador Thomas Diaspora Advisory Board was appointed to the position in August Member for the Southern 2015 and is coming directly from Jamaican United States. Ambassadorial duties to China. During the meeting, AmbassaAccording to the Honorable A.J. Nichols, dor Thomas made his personal Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and commitment to bring his Wayne Golding SR. and Amabassador Ralph Thomas Trade, “ Ambassador Thomas served in experience and diplomatic influence in the future building and expanding of the China during an important time for Jamaica/China established partnership with the Diasporans in the region. relations, especially in the area of economic With a solid and pronounced invitation from Board development, and ensured the continuation and Member Golding, the Ambassador promised to visit the strengthening of this relationship through the Southern region extensively in the coming months. He also development of key initiatives. This level of critical strongly reiterated the strong and steadfast commitment of thinking and creative energy is what we expect the Government of Jamaica to a continued high level of Ambassador Thomas to bring to the relationship with partnership with Jamaica’s most valuable assets in the the USA, one of our major international partners.” Southern region of the United States, its human capital. “Board member Golding also stated that he himself considers the Jamaican Diaspora of the Southern United States one of Jamaica’s most important partners.” The meeting between Diaspora Board Member Golding and Ambassador Thomas covered numerous topics that impact the Jamaica Diaspora in the Southern United States that included, but was not limited to Immigration, Integration and Deportation. The meeting also focused on how the Jamaican Diaspora can contribute to comprehensive changes in Jamaica’s health care system and facilities.

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Guyanese-American Teens win Innovating Justice Award Three Guyanese-American siblings, Ima, Asha and Caleb Ch-

ristian, calling themselves the Five-O Team developed a Web based and Mobile App that allows citizens to rate, review and rank police based of data reports and activities. The Five O Team made it through a rigorous screening process and into the first round of the challenge, then onto a voting process in the second round, where the top three scoring teams and three wild card picks were chosen.

The FIVE-O team emerged as one of the three wildcard picks. The teens’ selection for the final round gave them the opportunity to pitch their innovation at the Peace Palace in The Hague on December 3 and 4. The 2015 Innovating Justice Challenge finalist were judged on uniqueness, scalability, sustainability, and the potential for the solution to be used in other countries around the world. The jurors scored the Five-O solution highly in all areas, and therefore ultimately won the worldwide challenge. Teams from countries as varied as Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Dubai, Germany, India, Israel, Kenya, Poland, and Singapore also competed. During the conference, the Five-O team also benefited from major workshops where industry professionals advised them on ways to increase their customer base, and to make their solution financially sustainable.

Asha, Caleb and Ima Christian

The Five-O Team are the children of Leon and Karen Christian who mig- rated to the United States from Guyana. They all currently live in the Atlanta area and are very involved in both the local community

and also back in Guyana. Karen Christian is very involved, and vocal, in the social justice arena of the both Countries and even the world at large, where she serves as a ‘watch-dog’ for civil rights and sheds a very vocal light of the activities of injustice. It is no surprise that their kids would pick-up the torch of civil rights and justice. Asha Christian was quoted as saying, "We have experienced several challenges since our initial launch, but we were determined to continue to push forward. We just didn’t want to give up.” Sibling Caleb Christian said, “The problem of making communities safer for citizens and police has seen no improvement since our launch last year, so we intend to learn from the many mistakes we’ve made and along with the seed funding we’ve received, we are confident that we will able to create a more compelling platform, which will meet the needs of citizens, communities, media and police departments as we all work together to make communities safer for everyone.” Only Asha and Caleb attended The Hague forum since Ima, the eldest of the trio, is currently away studying Computer Science at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. The Five-O team plans to use the prize funds to redesign the Five-O platform, to reach out to police departments and community activist groups, and for launching local awareness campaigns in five test cities. The team is already fielding requests for the solution in Brazil, Russia, the UK, and South Africa.

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CARIBBEAN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INVESTMENT GUIDE LAUNCHED The first Caribbean Tourism and Hospitality Investment Guide was recently launched by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in association with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). The publication was made available to international investors who attended the annual Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit (CHICOS) held in Puerto Rico. The publication, which was also distributed at the recent CTO “Caribbean Week’ Business events in Toronto, was conceptualised and produced by marketing, communications and investment promotion specialist, Sandra Ann Baptiste, who was the first head of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO INVEST).

CHTA President Emil Lee is urging international investors to use the Investment Guide to learn about the “incredible opportunities” which can be realized from investing in the Caribbean. He noted that despite its growing pains, the Caribbean tourism industry continues to expand and diversify. “Public-private initiatives at the regional and destination levels are actively addressing those issues which are important to the industry globally . . . lowering utility costs, improving the visitor experience, holding the line on taxes, incentivizing investments, and maximizing productivity through investments in our people.” he commented.

“This is the first publication which provides information to investors on investment opportunities across the Caribbean. I am sure it will serve as a catalyst to attract much needed new investments in the tourism and hospitality sector, resulting in new jobs and will help to spur economic growth,” Baptiste said. The Investment Guide also focuses on the performance of the region’s tourism and hospitality sector and Caribbean economies. It highlights increased airlift to the region and new investments in the industry – a reflection of investor confidence in the region. “Ours is an attractive and desirable destination with a strong, competitive advantage due to our natural resources and authentic experiences,” CTO Chairman Richard Sealy, Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport, said. “Investing in the Caribbean makes good business sense. We know it and we are proud to produce a guide that illustrates it.”

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CAPTION: Proudly displaying the publication in Toronto are from left Sylma Brown Bramble, CTO’s Director of the Americas, CTO Secretary General Hugh Riley and Caribbean Investment Guide Editor Sandra Ann Baptiste.

Hygiene for Homeless Letter to the Editor from Jonathan Blount. I offer an amplification of Andrae Bailey's appeal in today's Sentinel for State support for a Homelessness campaign. Barbara Poppe in her narrative when she introduced her report on "The Path Forward: Rethinking Homelessness," said "The Homeless have nowhere to eliminate bodily waste. They get jailed, fined and jailed again to repeat the cycle to stain and soil our streets". Additionally, they have no where to shower or launder their clothes. Thus, they look bad, smell bad and feel bad. They are reluctant to seek interventional services because of this condition. This obstacle to a pathway to ending their homelessness is beginning to be addressed Nationwide through "Mobile Hygiene Health Service Units." They have portable toilets, showers and laundry facilities self contained. They are moved where needed and take the resources to the people. The two year old Streetteam Movement, led and managed by recent UCF graduate, Brianna Daniel, has done more than 20,000 loads of laundry for more than 11,000 homeless friends here in Thornton Park twice weekly.....Continues on Page 21

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HOLIDAY TIPS TO HELP AVOID OVEREATING The holiday season is always festive with office parties, family gatherings and New Year's Eve big party night. All these festivities comes with a lot of food and desserts. Sometimes it is hard for you not to overindulge over the holidays. Here are some simple tips to help you avoid overeating. TIPS: 1. Try to balance your meal at the party. Instead of taking two or three servings of the same type of food, include different kinds of vegetables. Make your plate colorful with vegetables so you can reap the health benefits of the minerals and vitamins.

3. Try to skip the creamy dips and high calorie dressings and go for the low fat dressing and dip if it is available. 4. Make sure you keep up with your exercise program to help you burn off some of the extra calories and fat you consume over the holidays. Wishing you a safe, happy and healthy holiday seasons. Jamaican-Born Sandi Morais has a BA degree from Florida International

2. Try not to go crazy with the desserts. You don't have to deprive yourself of eating one or two of your favorite

Hygiene for Homeless...

sweet at your party, but try not to overindulge. Fruits are always a good alternative for sugary desserts.

Uni-versity. She is the author of Recipe for Life vegan/vegetarian cook book. Sandi has been featured in local and national magazines. Sandi teaches a vegan cooking class at La Vie Wellness Spa www.lavieexperience.com To order Recipe for Life vegan/vegetarian cook book visit www.sandimorais.net

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This movement has several components. RENEW is laundry, REFRESH is showers and toilets. The Housing First model, a house for each of the more than 2,000 Orange County homeless, is the ultimate goal. That objective is, at best several years away. The $ 8 million thus far collected ( and more which will hopefully come) will take a while to drill down to a street impact level. Meanwhile, we can provide a compassionate pathway forward and provide Mobile Hygiene Health Service Units that travel to help our suffering friends. Hundreds of homeless friends, who were lined up this week for feedings unanimously exclaimed that Hygiene is a critical, pressing need. "We have nowhere to go to the bathroom or bathe in Central Orlando," they said. Brianna and team are appealing for help to sustain and expand the existing RENEW initiative and up level the REFRESH service. She is planning a Christmas demonstration

She needs sites, volunteers, relational capital and additional finances. She has spent more than $30,000 so far largely out of her own tips from work. "The homeless can't access services, jobs, housing or maintain well being if they can't get clean." With cleanliness comes dignity. With dignity comes opportunity. Please connect through their website at www.streetmovement.org or reach them at streetTeamorlando@gmail.com or 904-625-6751. www.caribbeanamericanpassport.com

Fit Like A Ras By Jeremy Roberts - NASM

GT Dread is an NASM-CPT, who competes in Masters Track, Field Hockey and Weightlifting. He can be contacted at fitlikearas@gmail.com

Fit Like A Ras: Surviving the holidays It’s the mos’ wonderful time of the year! Yeah, I love Christmas, but ah know all too well how de food and festivities could mess up a whole year of hard work and discipline (ah bein’ nice: ah know some a y’all didn’t wuk hard and didn’ really hol’ strong pon de discipline neither). So, while yuh could find a ton a writing pon de web tellin’ yuh how fuh do dis, none a dem don’ do it like de Dread! So while we enjoyin’ de goodness of the season, there are a number of ways that dis time a year could interrupt yuh efforts to Look Good Naked. For one thing, yuh going to plenty parties, so de workout schedule probably getting’ disrupted. Yuh gots to look at reschedulin’ de work out times. Mos parties does be in de evenings, so if it’s any possibility, try doin’ something in de morning. If dey ain’ no way you could get up any earlier, or if you just barely getting’ yuhself out de door on time every day, try a lunch time walk or sprint session (no jogging!), maybe go to the gym even. Yuh could shorten the workouts, jus’ mek sure you doin’ something.

Finally, if yuh could hold yuhself in check: eat ONE ting dat jus’ mek yuh feel good. Fuh I, it a go be the mos’ chocolate ting available. You should fin’ whatever jus’ satisfy dat lil place in you dat you know could get you in trouble, an’ jus’ tek a lil bit. Ah know some a y’all gon read dat an’ tink ah talkin bout something odda dan food. Get allyuh/unna/wunna/ahyuh min’ out de gutter! Finally, no matter wha happen, enjoy de bes of dis time. Family, friends, as much peace, love an’ joy as you can find. Smile whenever possible, laugh urrday, an’ don’ stress too much if yuh feel like yuh eat too much, gain too much weight. Learn from it, get goin’ again nex year. It soon a go be Resolution Time! Live up.

De biggest problem, though, is de food and drink. If yuh just skip de gym for a month, yuh prob won’t do too much damage. If yuh skippin de activity AND addin’ significant amounts of calories, that’s de recipe fuh disaster. Dis is whey yuh should be puttin’ mos’ of yuh efforts. Here are some strategies…. Fus ting, mek sure yuh full yuh belly before yuh go to de party. Eat something from yuh own house fus. Yuh know whuh yuh got in yuh house, and ah know (or ah should seh, ah hope!) yuh got de right tings in yuh house., so whatever yuh eat from home gon be better dan what yuh would eat at whatever party yuh going to ….unless de party is at my house. Nex ting: when yuh reach de party, mek de right choices. Eat de meat, cheese, veggies, drink water, or worst case scenario, some sugar free soda. Eat dat fus. At dis point, yuh hardly got room fuh de mac and chees, mash potatoes, cook up/rice an’ peas/pelau (all de same ting, more or less) an any odda high starch food. Not to mention de high calorie alcoholic drinks!

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Continued from pg 15

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