Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 76

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St Vincent Mentioned in Charges from Probe into Russian Interference in US Elections

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ashington, DC: When Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and a former business associate, Rick Gates, were indicted on 12 charges of conspiracy against the US, money laundering and several other financial charges, the Caribbean island was identified in the indictment as one of the places used by the two to funnel money.

The 31-page indictment does not mention any Russian ties, but alleges that from approximately 2006, through at least 2016, Manafort and Gates moved money through hidden bank accounts continued on page 6

Tips for Dating Your Spouse Again ...see page 20

Rick Gates (left) and Paul Manafort (right) allegedly funnelled money into accounts in St Vincent and the Grenadines and other countries.

Why Opioids Are Such an American Problem

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Buying a New Home? Four Key Questions to Ask ...see page 11

BY OWEN AMOS, BBC NEWS

hen it comes to taking opioids, the United States has the dubious honor of leading the world. For every one million Americans, almost 50,000 doses of opioids are taken every day. That's four times the rate in the UK. There are often good reasons for taking opioids. Cancer patients use them for pain relief, as do patients recovering from surgery (codeine and morphine are opioids, for example). But take too many and you have a problem. And America certainly has a problem.

In two years, the town of Kermit in

Free Individual Chamber membership to all veterans.  Call 718-722-9217.

continued on page 19

Court Requires Removal of Hurdles to Citizenship for Army Reserve Soldiers ... see page 14

Brian Figeroux, Esq. Founder of the Paralegal Program and Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association for 2 decades

Border Patrol Detains a 10-year-old Heading Into Surgery

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BY CAW STAFF

resident Trump said he was going after criminals, but his immigration agents detained a 10-year-old cerebral palsy patient at the hospital.

Rosa Maria Hernandez was brought to this country when she was only 3 months

old, but when she was rushing in an ambulance to surgery, she was a priority for deportation. The policies put forward by this president forced Border Patrol to treat Rosa Maria as if she were a public safety threat. That is just wrong. continued on page 8

Get More Than a Tax Refund ...see page 9

Bolt Ranked As Third Best ...see page 17

The Greatest Show On Earth ...see page 18

2

Caribbean Consulates

Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200

Antigua & Barbuda 305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117

The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-421-6420

Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325

Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-593-0999

Dominica 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400H New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853

Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-599-8478

Grenada 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301

Guyana 308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Tel: 212-947-5119

Haiti 815 Second Avenue,6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9767

Jamaica 767 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000

Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887

Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200

Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450

St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521

St. Lucia 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel: 212-697-9360 St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278

St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272

For more Consulate information go to www.cawnyc.com/directory

CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP

More Jamaican Lottery Scammers Plead Guilty in US Court

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ORTH DAKOTA: Four more Jamaicans have thrown in the towel in the US courts, pleading guilty to their involvement in a lottery scam that bilked at least 90 Americans out of more than US$5.7 million.

Dario Palmer, Alrick McLeod and Kazrae Gray all pleaded guilty to conspiracy under deals with federal prosecutors, while Kimberly Hudson signed a deal and is scheduled to plead guilty on November 20. No sentencing date has been set as yet.

Their guilty pleas bring to 10 the number of defendants who have admitted to the crime. Another accused is negotiating terms of a deal, according to the

Associated Press.

In return for the guilty pleas, the government is dropping fraud and moneylaundering counts.

The suspects are accused of calling victims about bogus lottery winnings, persuading them to send advance fees to receive the purported winnings, then keeping the money without paying out anything to the victims.

The latest four to plead guilty were among eight Jamaicans who were extradited from Jamaica to North Dakota to face the lottery fraud charges.

The charges allege the scam bilked mostly elderly US residents.l

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Sawak Maraj, 33, who arrived in Georgetown, claiming he had a job interview with oil giant Exxon Mobil, has been charged with conspiring with two other Trinidadian nationals to obtain US$700,000 as a ransom for kidnapping.

According to Guyanese investigators, Maraj was picked up at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport by his compatriots.

That same day, his relatives in Port of Spain reported they received a call from an unknown person who claimed that Maraj had been kidnapped shortly after arriving in Guyana, and a ransom was demanded to secure his release.

The man’s family also received a pho-

tograph showing Maraj, clad only in his boxers and socks, with someone holding a machete to his neck.

The family contacted the Guyana Police Force and agents from the force’s Major Crimes Unit reviewed surveillance video at the airport, which showed Maraj greeting the two Trinidadians and the three men getting into the same vehicle without incident.

Investigators successfully tracked the location of the phone which was used to make the ransom call and when members of the Major Crimes Unit rushed to the location, they found Maraj in an apartment “relaxing and sipping on beverages”.l

Trinidadian Ends Up in Guyana Jail after Allegedly Faking His Kidnapping

West Indies Cricketer Wins Defamation Lawsuit against Australian Media Group

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YDNEY, Australia: An emotional Chris Gayle emerged from the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney after he won a defamation case against an Australian media group.

Fairfax – the publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times – had claimed that the West Indies all-round cricketer exposed his genitals to team masseuse Leanne Russell in a dressing room at the 2015 World Cup in Sydney and “indecently propositioned” her.

But this morning, the jury of three women and one man took less than two hours to decide that Fairfax had not established a defense of truth to the reports.

The jury also found Fairfax was motivated by malice in publishing the series of reports in early 2016.

Gayle said the outcome of the high profile case was tantamount to scoring a “triple century” because the jury answered “no” three times when asked whether Fairfax had established the “substantial truth” of three allegations, name-

ly that he intentionally exposed his genitals, indecently exposed himself and indecently propositioned the woman.

“At the end of the day I’m very, very happy,” he said, adding that coming to court had been “very emotional”. “I’m a good man. I’m not guilty.”

But in a strongly worded statement, Fairfax said it “believes that it did not get a fair trial” and is seriously considering an appeal.

Outside the court, the company’s solicitor, Minter Ellison partner Peter Bartlett, expressed his shock and disappointment.

“I think there are grounds of appeal and we’ll be looking at that very carefully,” he said. “It will cost the company a lot of money unless we can reverse it on appeal.”

Throughout the trial, Gayle had vigorously denied the allegations, saying the journalists behind the story wanted to “destroy him”.

The media group had defended the articles on the basis the allegations were substantially true and in the public interest.l

Despite Tax Measures, Barbados Economy in a Slump

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ridgetown, Barbados: The Barbados economy is still in a slump and remains on a downward track, with the island’s foreign reserves in a worse position despite onerous tax measures introduced in the last budget.

Acting Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes reported that while the economy posted a modest 1.4 percent growth during the first nine months of the year and raked in an additional BDS$98.6 million (US$49.3 million) in tax revenues, the foreign reserves was way below the international benchmark of 12 weeks of imports and the fiscal deficit was still too high.

In his report, which outlined the country’s performance for the first nine months of the year, international reserves plummeted to just 8.6 weeks of imports or BDS$549.7 million (US$274.85 million), putting more pressure on the stability of the Barbados dollar.

At the same time, he reportedthat the Government’s overall debt had climbed to 144 per cent of gross domestic product, with current expenditure increasing

by BDS$13.9 million (US$6.95 million), largely due to an increase in grants to public institutions.

The deficit, which is estimated at BDS$279 million (US$139.5 million) for the last six months, showed a BDS$115 million (US$57.5 million) improvement over the same period in 2016.

Haynes said tough decisions were facing the Freundel Stuart administration. l

New 50-Dollar Note to Honor Late ECCB Governor

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ASSETERRE, St Kitts: The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) will be releasing a new EC$50 banknote honoring late governor Sir Dwight Venner.

The $50 bill is a permanent tribute to Sir Dwight’s legacy, will feature his likeness and will replace the bill that bears the Brimstone Fort in St Kitts and the Piton mountains in St Lucia.

Sir Dwight served as ECCB governor from December 1989 until November 2015. He died just over a year later, after 26 years of service in his position at the ECCB that serves as a central bank for Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.

“As a lasting tribute to his sterling contribution, the ECCB engaged the services of De La Rue, the authorized printer of its circulation banknotes, to prepare design concepts for a new $50 note bearing the image of Sir Dwight, in addition to the standard security features of the existing banknotes,” it said.l

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EDITORIAL

From Army Fatigues to Business Suits

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BY MARILYN SILVERMAN

uture entrepreneurs enroll en masse in our nation’s universities.

Then there are men and women who serve courageously in life or death scenarios far from home in the battle zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. Their campus: the battlefield. Their curriculum: leadership, teamwork, work ethics, results-oriented attitude, perseverance, conflict resolution, strategic planning, risk taking, discipline—words idiosyncratic of the world of business. Imagine two columns with a series of these aforementioned words—one labeled military terminology and the other labeled entrepreneurial terminology. The words are The National amazingly similar.

Veteran-Owned Business Association states, “…lessons learned in military… same attributes needed to succeed in business.”

Being victorious in a dangerous envi-

Register for: Starting or Growing A Veteran-Owned Business at www.nacc.nyc Date: Thursday, Nov 16, from 10am-12noon See ad on page 8.

ronment against the enemy is analogous to being successful in business against a different enemy—failure. Teamwork is an absolute prerequisite in battle as is the awareness of the location of each member of that team who makes a specific contribution; the ability to expeditiously recognize the traits of subordinates and provide guidance is a comparable policy in business.

An astronomical number of businesses in the United States are owned by a very unique genre of entrepreneurs—veter-

ans— who enjoy an equally astronomical one billion dollars in revenue, according to the Small Business Administration.

In business and in the military, everyone plays a designated role and must be able to be accounted for. No one is left behind. When fighting, it is mandatory that you possess the ability to implement split second decisions—there is no time for a coffee break—attributes crucial in the business sector. Leading teams in the right direction so as to avoid enemy gunfire is critical for human survival.

Leading teams in corporate America is implemented so that deals are negotiated to avoid a detrimental impact on the bottom line—or survival of the business.

The transition from the uniform of the various branches of the military, accompanied by a plethora of sophisticated weaponry of land, air and sea, is an easy transition for the brave women and men who accepted the solemn responsibility of fighting to preserve our way of life for generations of Americans. l

Antigua & Barbuda Focusing on Rebuilding after Hurricane

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BY CAW STAFF

ntigua & Barbuda are committed to lead the fight for climate change awareness as mentioned

by Dr. Walton Webson, Ambassador for Antigua & Barbuda. This he said is one of the topics that they have been discussing at the United Nations from as far back as 1992. He mentioned that Antigua & Barbuda have been one of the leading countries in the region in the whole discussions around climate change. The disaster inflicted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria has moved the conversation beyond theoretical discussions to showing the world the reality by improving their social behavior with regards to the climate.

He mentioned that the Caribbean Diaspora has responded to the relief effort in a very positive way, that is very encouraging. However, there is still

Dr Webson

much more work to be done. They are currently focusing on two phases. The relief phase which is under control in the Barbuda context. The Dominican government has given support in this area.

They will then move on to the rebuilding and reconstruction phase, which will need both finance and technical support.

He mentioned that in a year’s time, they should be well on their way to rebuilding a new Barbuda where people will be back in their homes and would be more resilient with green electric using solar and similar green energy and making them a green society.

Dr. Webson said that Barbuda is prime for two big things. The fishing industry which serves an important part in the island’s economy would continue. The next is tourism. He boasted that this has been a green island with natural beautiful beaches, bird sanctuaries and more and will always be a tourist attraction. He expects the tourist industry to grow now that people will have heard more of Antigua & Barbuda.

He asked that people and organizations reach out to them in by visiting the Antigua & Barbuda website at www.abconsulate.nyc which details all information relating rebuilding after the hurricane.l

TEAM

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My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6 Publisher I.Q. INC.

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

Graphic & Website Designer Praim Samsoondar

Contributors Emily Creighton Leslie Dellon Ginita Wall Stephanie K Tatyana Bellamy-Walker Marcia Stewart Victoria Falk Jacqueline Wielick Elias Gebrehiwot Akail Sylvester Marketing Manager Ezra McBean

Email: cariaweekly@aol.com Telephone: 718-771-0988

Website: www.cawnyc.com

Feel the warmth of the Caribbean on your fingertips. Connect. Visit our website at www.cawnyc.com for daily news and more!

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CIVIL RIGHTS

Rev. Al Sharpton Host Civic and Community Leadership Lecture Series

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BY TATYANA BELLAMY-WALKER

ivil rights activist, Reverend Al Sharpton, dozens of AfricanAmerican and Latino men to “become advocates for their community” during a panel at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn.

Nearly 100 residents and students helped kicked-off the college’s Male Development and Empowerment lecture series to promote civic education and engagement in communities of color.

During the lecture — Sharpton, the National Action Network President and MSNBC host of “Politics Nation,” slammed the Trump administration for its disregard of African-American and Latino men.

“You need to start with the reality whether you like Trump or not that you’re playing in a new ballgame,” said Sharpton. “You’re not in the age of Obama. You’re in the age of Trump.”

Sharpton added, “You got to figure out where you are going. You got to build things that will sustain over time.”

Sharpton urged the residents and students to follow their dreams.As a child, he recalled a grade-school teacher, who dismissed his pastoral aspirations.

Crew and Sharpton

“The odds are against black and Latino men achieving anything,” Sharpton said.

“They don't expect you to break the odds. You got to do that by yourself.”

The lecture also addressed the lack of resources and facilities at Medgar Evers, one of the few predominantly black and Latino institutions in CUNY. “This college is fighting an uphill battle,” said the college’s president, Rudy Crew, who is also the former chancellor for New York City Public Schools.

“Want to kill a community? Kill their schools and jobs.”

Crew continued,“This is a call to action moment in our country. The world is

shifting on its feet.”

During the open-panel, a student asked for an on-campus pantry to help with the issue of food insecurity. He added that a nearby CUNY college has resources available for food-insecure students.

Crew answered that the college is in the know about food insecurity but lacks federal funding for a more permanent solution.

“We need money to fund a food bank and clothing bank...Our greatest need is for more facilities, but we don't have that,” said Crew, who is working on a five-year plan to funnel more money into the college.

Residents of color also reflected on the lack of LGBT specific workshops at last year's National Action Network conference.

According to Sharpton, the 2017 conference was inclusive of the LGBT community. “I came out years ago about LGBT rights and same-same marriage, but I was condemned by preachers for supporting it.”

Sharpton continued, “I felt that by segregating it. We act like they are different and they are not. We talked about LGBT issues in every part of the NAN’s convention.”

Crew said higher-education plays a large role in uplifting African-American and Latino communities.

“A great lifter is [an] education,” crew said.”You can't get over a 7-foot bar without an education or a 2-foot bar without education.”

According to Crew, the college is in critical need of the community and federal support.

“This college has never been given the food or the sustenance it needs to grow,” he said.“We are playing catch up.”l

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6

St Vincent Mentioned in Charges From Probe into Russian Interference in US Elections/ continued from page 1

overseas in order to hide the tens of millions of dollars in income they received as unregistered agents of the former Ukraine government and political parties and leaders.

“Manafort and Gates funneled millions of dollars in payments into foreign nominee companies and bank accounts, opened by them and their accomplices in nominee names and in various foreign countries, including Cyprus, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, and the Seychelles,” the indictment stated.

“Manafort and Gates hid the existence of the foreign companies and bank accounts, falsely and repeatedly reporting to their tax preparers and to the United States that they had no foreign bank accounts.”

It is alleged that more than US$75 million flowed through the offshore accounts, and Manafort, who was fired as Trump’s campaign chairman in August after word surfaced that he had orchestrated a covert lobbying operation on behalf of pro-Russian interests in Ukraine, is accused of laundering more than US$18 million.

Manafort and Gates have surrendered to federal authorities, and are expected in court this afternoon to face the charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team.

The charges are the first stemming from Mueller’s probe into possible ties between Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia.

There has been no official statement from President Trump, but he has taken to Twitter to share his thoughts. l

CARIBBEAN CORRUPTION

Antigua’s Tourism Minister Fired after Arrest in London

Asot Michael was arrested when he arrived in London, but released several hours later.

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T JOHN’S, Antigua: A trip to London left Asot Michael in police custody and without his job as Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism and Investment.

Even though he said he didn’t know why Michael was arrested by London Metropolitan Police when he arrived in the United Kingdom’s capital on a British Airways flight yesterday morning, Prime Minister of

the twin-island nation Gaston Browne kicked him out of his Cabinet after learning of his detention.

By nighttime, however, Michael had been released, although he was advised he may be wanted for further questioning. He is being represented by UK lawyer James Guthrie.

Earlier, Prime Minister Browne released a statement disclosing that he had received news from Antigua and Barbuda’s High Commissioner in London, Karen-Mae Hill, that Michael was arrested on his arrival in England.

“While I have no firm details of the reasons for Mr Michael’s arrest, the arrest itself is sufficient for me to revoke immediately his appointment as a Cabinet member and to relieve him of all Ministerial portfolios until this matter is resolved,” said Browne, who was in Jordan on his way back home from Montenegro where he led a government delegation to an international conference on Citizenship by Investment.

“I have repeatedly stated that I expect every member of my government to comply with the highest possible standards required of public office, and while Mr Michael might establish his innocence in time, the fact that he has been arrested, obliges me to relieve him of all government duties.”

Browne committed to release information regarding the arrest when he received it.

There is no word yet on whether Michael will be reinstated as Tourism and Investment Minister now that he has been released from police custody. l

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FAMILY MATTERS

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Is There Credit After Divorce?

Q

BY GINITA WALL, CPA, CFP®

uestion: I am thinking of divorce, and I don’t know what to do about my credit cards. Will I be able to get credit after I divorce, or will I have to start over?

Answer: First of all, this is a great question, and you are smart for thinking about your credit before you get divorced. Too often, women only start thinking of credit after they are divorced and suddenly find that they can’t use their old cards or have trouble qualifying for a loan.

If you are considering divorce, it is important that you start taking action on your credit before you make any major moves. Make sure that your bank cards and department store cards are in your own name. If you are only an authorized user on your husband’s card, then he can easily cut off your access and cancel the cards without your permission.

If possible, you should obtain cards with check-writing privileges, so that you will have a source for emergency funds if your cash reserves run low or are frozen by restraining orders during the divorce.

Women who are in the process of divorcing and receive spousal support or child support from their former husbands, sometimes have tremendous prob-

A Special Invitation

lems getting credit. Credit institutions are required to take these support payments into account only if you have received them regularly in the past and it is likely that you will continue receiving them in the future. But if you are in the process of divorcing, your support payments have probably been set under “temporary” orders, which by their very nature are subject to change. Credit institutions may therefore deem those payments unreliable and may choose not to consider them in deciding to grant you credit.

While you are in the process of divorcing, your debt obligations may include amounts that your spouse has agreed to pay, such as the house payment if he is still living in the house, or a credit card that he uses exclusively. Even though the two of you have agreed that he will make those payments, the credit institution will consider those obligations to be yours as well, if you signed the loan application

papers. That can keep you from getting the credit you need. For example, you may find that you are unfairly denied a car loan when the loan payments would fit easily within your budget.

Be aware of these possible challenges.

It may be a good idea to apply for credit cards in your name or take out any loans that you anticipate needing, before you get divorced. (Learn how to Clean Up Your Credit before your divorce.) l Reprinted with permission. Ginita Wall, CPA, CFP® is a co-founder of WIFE.org, a nonprofit that aims to teach females how to take financial control of their lives.

Have more questions about money before, during, and after your divorce?

Talk to a professional. Call 855-7688845.

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8

Organizing for Action: The New Tax Plan

Border Patrol Detains a 10-year-old/ continued from page 1

Rosa Maria’s cousin, Aurora Cantu, a United States citizen who was riding with her in the ambulance and accompanied her to the hospital, told Rosa Maria’s mother and others working on the case that the agents had at first tried to persuade the family to agree to have the girl transferred to a Mexican hospital, pressing the family to sign a voluntary departure form for her. They declined to do so. The entire time Rosa Maria was in surgery and then in recovery, several armed Border Patrol agents stood outside her hospital room, the family said.

Her mother, Felipa de la Cruz, 39, said in an interview that her family had moved to Texas from Nuevo Laredo, the city in Mexico just across the border from Laredo, when her daughter was still an infant, hoping to get better treatment for her cerebral palsy.

They had not been able to afford her therapies in Mexico, she said, but in Texas, Medicaid paid for her daughter’s treatment, which included home visits from therapists.

“I’m a mother. All I wanted was for her to get the surgery that she needed,” Ms. de la Cruz said. “It never crossed my mind that any of what is happening right now could happen. When you’re a mother, all you care about is your child.”

IN THE NEWS

Rosa Maria

The federal government has released 10-year-old Rosa Maria Hernandez. The American Civil Liberties Union brought a lawsuit seeking to release her from government custody and reunite her with her family.

“Rosa Maria is finally free. We’re thrilled that she can go home to heal surrounded by her family's love and support,” said Michael Tan, staff attorney with the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. “Despite our relief, Border Patrol’s decision to target a young girl at a children’s hospital remains unconscionable. No child should go through this trauma and we are working to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“Rosa Maria should not have been detained for even a second. She was ripped from her family without authority by the federal government. We will continue to challenge the government to stop this kind of heartless and unlawful conduct,” said Andre Segura, legal director of the ACLU of Texas.l

C

ongressional leaders finally showed the American people their tax bill — the one they were supposed to show us, and have been talking about behind closed doors for months.

So why the delay? They've been afraid to show us what's inside ... and now, we know why.

We already knew this plan would cut taxes for rich people and corporations, and that's still true. But to pay for these unnecessary cuts, the money has to come from somewhere — and Congress and the White House want it to come from hardworking middle-class families.

We can't let that happen. It's on all of us to call our representatives, right now, and demand a better tax plan. Here's how this plan could affect you:

nIf you're one of the millions of Americans who count on Medicaid, Medicare, and other middle-class programs ... this plan sets the stage for draconian cuts down the road, by adding $1.5 trillion to our deficit over the next decade.

nIf you claim certain deductions on your federal taxes because you are paying off

student loans, or because you've incurred medical expenses, or because you pay your fair share in state income taxes ... this plan will take away your right to claim them.

nIf you're looking to buy a house ... a new cap would be placed on how much mortgage interest you'd be able to deduct. nIf you get a tax credit because you're retired on disability, or because you have adopted children ... those vanish under this bill.

These moves aren't "closing loopholes," as Congressional leaders have claimed.

They're hurting millions of Americans, all so they can give tax breaks to huge corporations that don't need them. And, allow families worth more than $5 million to not pay a dollar of taxes on their estates.

This is what a bad process leads to: an equally bad bill. We shouldn't be surprised — but it's up to us to make sure this doesn't go a step further.

Call your representative now to demand a better tax plan. l

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10

BUSINESS MATTERS

How the Chamber Changed My Life

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BY VICTORIA FALK

magine driving down a dark, winding road at night without your headlights on. You may still make it to your destination safely, but it will take longer to get there because you're manuvering in the dark by yourself. That's exactly what it's like when you're trying to start and/or grow a successful business without the benefits of being a member of the New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC). It's time for you to stop struggling by yourself in the dark. NACC is here to guide you through all stages of business development; whether you want to give birth to a business idea that's been on your mind for a while, you've started your business already and want to grow, or you've been in business for several years and want to reach your next level of success.

If you already knew how to reach your next level of success, you would have done so already. So what do you do when you're striving for success and don't have any family or friends to model as examples of success for you? Who do you turn to when you're hungry for training and mentoring? What do you do when people in your network are very

Go to www.nacc.nyc

competitive and don't want to share insights with you because of fear you will become more successful than them?

How do you accelerate your rate of success in your business? Do what I did; join the Chamber of Commerce. The best decision I made for my business was to join NACC..

Prior to joining the New American Chamber of Commerce, I used to get dressed up and go to the subway to distribute flyers and business cards to people passing by during the morning and evening rush hours. I was determined to promote my business, Passionate Travel Inc., and committed myself to stand there for hours at a time until every promotion-

Why Join Our Chamber?

Because membership in our Chamber offers numerous benefits and keeps business owners on top of important, ever-changing issues and trends within their community and local marketplace.

reasons to join: lBrings credibility to your business lIncreases your visibility in the community lCreates networking opportunities lGain a voice in government lMake business contacts lReceive Chamber newsletters lAcquire customer referrals lAttend Chamber events and programs lBenefit from promotion and publicity lFree small business consultations

Become a Chamber member today.

Call 718-722-9217 or visit www.nacc.nyc

Time to take your business to the next level!

Victoria Falk CEO, Passionate Travel VP, AAICC

Ready to join our Chamber?

Keep in mind, however, that you can’t just be a member of the Chamber to reap the benefits of Chamber membership.

Paying your annual dues just isn’t enough.

You must also make an investment of time and effort in Chamber activities and become involved. Simply put, what you get out of Chamber membership is directly relative to what you put in.

al item was distributed. I felt so accomplished until the end of my rounds, when I saw how many of my business cards and flyers were thrown on the ground and in garbage cans. "There must be a better way.", I thought. Thanks to NACC, I've found a better way to grow my business.

There have been so many benefits to my Chamber membership that I really don't know where to start this discussion.

Do I start by telling you I've learned to network effectively at Chamber events?

Do I share with you how much money I've saved on branding, marketing, and advertising as a result of my Chamber membership? Maybe I should start by telling you about the many business expos I've attended as an exhibitor for free or at discounted rates because of my Chamber membership. Should I start by telling you how many new travel clients and business partners I've acquired because my Chamber membership helped bring credibility to my business?

I have to share with you how much wiser I've become due to the quality of information provided in the seminars offered by the Chamber. But where should I begin this discussion about the benefits of joining the Chamber of Commerce?

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Victoria Falk, CEO of Passionate Travel Inc. and Vice President of the African-American International Chamber of Commerce. I am also the host of Passionate Travel Inc. blog talk radio show and the Travel Editor for a national newspaper. I'm recognized as one of the leaders in my travel network and teach people how they can become Certified Travel Agents through a Travel Agent Certificate Program I created especially for the NACC. I've won several awards for Passionate Travel Inc., including the International Humanitarian Award for Business. I'm an International Speaker and Co-Founder of These Women Mean Business, an initiative to take women from the United States to the Caribbean for the purpose of forming mentoring relationships and business partnerships. I received a Certificate of Appreciation for training I facilitated in Nassau, Bahamas, where I taught people how to intergrate a travel program into their current business in order to enhance their business offerings and increase revenue. I am also the President of BlackCEO, New York Chapter, which is

an initiative that seeks to create collaborative environments among Black CEOs and entrepreneurs in the New York City area to teach, create, and promote business based-wealth.

When I joined the NACC in June of 2015, I simply introduced myself as the CEO of Passionate Travel Inc. My sole intention was to grow my travel business and I did not know anything about business beyond the limited information I received through my travel network.

However, after being mentored by Ms. Pearl Phillip, President of NACC, and Mr. Brian Figeroux, Esq., Founder and Chairman of the Chamber Coalition; I attended workshops such as, "How to Start and Grow a Profitable Home-based Business"; "How to Expand Your Business Globally"; and "How to Become a Radio Host." These workshops expanded my thinking and helped me see the possibilities in regards to what I could accomplish as a business woman.

As I look back on these last two years and see how I'm able to introduce myself today, it is truly evident how much being a member of NACC has transformed my life. When I paid for my Chamber membership in 2015, there were critics and naysayers who questioned why I would pay for membership into the organization when I could simply attend free workshops around the city. Now those same people are trying to figure out how I've been able to accomplish all that I have in my life and my travel business during these past rwo years that I've been a member of the Chamber.

I've enjoyed sharing my story and the many benefits of becoming a member of the Chamber; not to impress you, but to impress upon you that you can do it too.

Make a decision to join the Chamber today. The cost of membership is an investment that you are making in your future and the future of your business.

The Chamber will not do the work for you and you cannot succeed if you don't show up to learn, grow, participate, and implement what you've learned through events and seminars offered by the Chamber. However, if you are willing and ready to move forward to your next level of success in your life and business, then the Chamber is willing, ready, and able to guide you. Call (718) 722-9217 today and ask to speak to Ms. Pearl Phillip. Make an appointment to discuss how you can benefit from Chamber membership and join now.l

Scan the code to get information about advertising your business in Caribbean American Weekly

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11

EQUITY SMART

Buying a New Home? Four Key Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Advisor

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discount points that you choose to buy to lower your interest rate. Your mortgage advisor will be able to give you an honest assessment of what fees you'll need to pay and which you can potentially avoid.

BY AKAIL SYLVESTER

re you in the market for a new home? If you are planning on borrowing some or most of the home's purchase price, you'll want to prepare yourself for the mortgage process.

Let's take a look at four key questions that you will want to ask your mortgage professional when you first meet to discuss your home loan.

What's The Best Mortgage Option for Me? As you probably know, there is a wide variety of mortgage loan options and programs on the market today. You may qualify for a number of mortgage loans along with certain government programs or specialty mortgages. Your mortgage advisor will be able to share the pros and cons of each type of mortgage loan so you can decide which option best suits you.

What Interest Rate and Amortization Period Fit My Budget?

Next, you'll want to determine what loan term and interest rate combine to produce

Attend our FREE Seminar: Fire Your Landlord on Thursday, November 30, 2017 @6pm.  See page 22 for details.

a monthly payment that fits your budget.

For example, in some cases, you may prefer a lower interest rate over a longer amortization period like 15 or 20 years, which can reduce the amount you pay each month. Conversely, you may decide that you want to pay the loan down faster and take a shorter term with a slightly higher interest rate.

What Fees and Closing Costs Will I Incur?

When you borrow a mortgage to buy a home, you will inevitably incur some additional costs and fees. Some are connected to the home itself, such as home inspection or home appraisal fees.

Others are due to the mortgage and might include loan origination fees or

What Documents and Paperwork Do I Need to Prepare?

Finally, you'll want to get an idea of what documents and other paperwork that you'll need to prepare. Your mortgage lender will require a number of items to verify your income, credit history and for risk assessment purposes. This might include past income tax forms, pay stubs, bank statements or other materials if you're self-employed.

These are just a few of the talking points you'll want to cover when you first meet your mortgage advisor. For more information about the mortgage process and to get things started, contact us today. Our mortgage team is happy to share our insight and answer any questions you might have. Call us at 888-6706791.l

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12

TAX ISSUES

Are You Having Problems with the IRS?

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e're here to help you resolve your tax problems and put an end to the misery that the IRS can put you through. We pride ourselves on being very efficient, affordable, and of course, extremely discreet. The IRS problems will not just go away by themselves; they just keep getting worse with penalties and interest being added each day.

If you owe the IRS, you have a very serious problem. It may take the IRS several years to catch up to you, but they're relentless and have no mercy in collecting all the money that is owed. When the collection process starts, they'll make your life miserable and literally ruin all aspects of your life.

IRS Audit Representation Rarely do our clients have to talk with the IRS. We handle it all for you so that you need not take time off of your job to handle the bureaucracy and paperwork of the IRS.

Payroll Tax Problems The IRS views failing to pay payroll taxes as the cardinal sin of tax delinquency because a large portion of the payroll taxes are your employees' withholdings.

Non-Filed Tax Returns If you do not file, you can be prosecuted and punished with potential jail time, one year for each year not filed. Why risk potentially losing your freedom for failing to file your tax returns?

IRS Levies We are often able to get levies released and help you get out of a terrible situation. Our goal is to get you even with the IRS and let you start life anew.

Back Taxes Owed It's amazing how fast tax penalties and interest add up. Luckily, we offer several options when it comes to resolving unpaid taxes. Call 718834-0190 to get a Free Consultation with our tax specialist.

IRS Liens Liens filed against you by the IRS also show up on your credit report and often prevent you from opening a checking account or borrowing against any assets, like your home.

IRS Seizures A seizure should not be taken lightly. The IRS will ultimately pursue seizure of your physical assets; your home, cars, boats, jewelry, motorcycles, insurance policies, and even your retirement funds.

IRS Wage Garnishment The payment plan negotiated by us is always more favorable than any IRS wage garnishment. It allows you to receive your whole paycheck without fears of future wage garnishments.

Get Your IRS File Most people would be surprised to learn how much the IRS knows about them. Obtaining a copy of your IRS file is critical in analyzing the options available to resolve your tax problems.

Innocent Spouse Relief Innocent Spouse Relief was designed to alleviate unjust situations where one spouse was clearly the victim of fraud perpetrated by their spouse or ex-spouse.

Offer in Compromise Did you know that you can settle your debt with the IRS for just pennies on the dollar with their Offer in Compromise program?

IRS Payment Plan If you don't qualify for the IRS Offer In Compromise program, a Payment Plan may be the way to resolve your problem.

Bankruptcy Your back taxes, interest and penalties can be wiped out by filing bankruptcy. If you qualify, bankruptcy can be the best solution to resolve your crushing tax problems.

It’s Easier to Get Rid of Bed Bugs than to Get Rid of the IRS!

Call us now: 718-834-0190

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Citi® can help you take the first steps toward owning a home with our exclusive HomeRun1 program. You’ll find that it’s an easier, more affordable way to homeownership. Plus, our dedicated Mortgage Representatives will provide the guidance you need throughout the process.

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Get closer to your next home. Contact your local Mortgage Representative today.

Natallia Diliberti Home Lending Officer 347-331-5984 natallia.kolbun@citi.com citi.com/natalliakolbun NMLS# 813975

Shawn Carson Home Lending Officer 718-915-8965 shawn.carson@citi.com citi.com/shawncarson NMLS# 1098281

Terms, conditions and fees for accounts, products, programs and services are subject to change. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Certain restrictions may apply on all programs.

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HomeRun is available only in Citibank assessment areas for loans on the primary residence of borrowers who qualify and is subject to geographic, income, property, product and other restrictions. To be eligible for up to 97% financing, the property must be a single-family home with a loan amount up to $424,100. Single-family homes in certain high-cost markets with loan amounts between $424,101 and $636,150 are eligible for up to 95% financing. Condominiums and co-ops are eligible for up to 95% financing with loan amounts up to $424,100, or loan amounts up to $636,150 in certain high-cost markets. © 2017 Citibank, N.A. NMLS# 412915. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. Citi, Citi and Arc Design and other marks used herein are service marks of Citigroup Inc. or its affiliates, used and registered throughout the world.

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14

IMMIGRATION

Court Requires Defense Department to Remove Hurdles to Citizenship for Army Reserve Soldiers

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and subject to harsh punishment in their country of origin for joining a foreign military.”

DOD reacted quickly to the court’s decision, developing instructions for certifying honorable service for MAVNI service members who enlisted prior to October 13, 2017 and who have served at least one day in the Selected Reserve.

BY EMILY CREIGHTON

n a sweeping decision, a federal judge ruled the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) could not continue to prevent approximately 2,000 noncitizen Army Reserve soldiers from applying for citizenship.

The case centers on the treatment of noncitizen soldiers who benefited from the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program.

MAVNI, established in 2008, was designed to attract “high-quality, multilingual, ethnically and culturally diverse recruits, and healthcare professionals . . .” by providing them with an expedited path to citizenship.

For some time after it was established, the program succeeded in bringing these skilled noncitizens into the military and quickly helped them naturalize. Since 2016, however, DOD policies have made the application process more difficult.

Increased security screening began to cause lengthy delays in the application process. Most recently, DOD stalled certification of the soldiers’ qualifying military service – a step necessary to complete the naturalization application– through a formal policy issued on

October 13, 2017 that imposed new certification guidelines.

Three soldiers brought the lawsuit challenging the policies the military has developed to block the naturalization process as “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law.” The court agreed that the soldiers– and the larger class they represent – would likely succeed on their legal claims.

The court rejected the government’s argument that it could not review DOD’s decisions regarding the certification process. Instead, the court stated that there were standards to review the certification process which involved a simple check of records to determine whether the soldier had served honorably. The

court also highlighted that DOD provided no reasoned explanation for recent policy changes and the changes could not be justified merely by invoking “national security concerns.”

Without the ability to apply for citizenship, MAVNI soldiers experience great uncertainty about their future and face a real risk of deportation. Under U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s current policy, they can be deported unless they are actively participating in MAVNI and have a pending application for naturalization.

As the court stated, “. . . every day of delay leaves plaintiffs in limbo and in fear of removal. Plaintiffs live in constant fear that they will lose their work or student visas, or be discharged, deported,

It is mind boggling that a federal court was required to step in to resolve this dysfunctional approach to the MAVNI program. Yet this is not the only case pending on MAVNI-related issues. In another federal case, soldiers are challenging DHS and USCIS’ decision to hold their naturalization applications while DOD completes enhanced screening of their applications.

Instead of standing with the men and women who are willing to risk their lives to protect our country, our military broke its promise to them and increased the risk they would be deported. For now, these MAVNI soldiers likely will not be deported and may ultimately become U.S. citizens. However, it should not be necessary to go to court to prove that this harsh treatment of U.S. service members is bad policy.l

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IMMIGRATION

New USCIS Policy Creates Obstacles for Employers and Foreign Workers

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BY LESLIE DELLON

n a major reversal of longstanding policy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has created new and unnecessary hurdles for employers and foreign employees temporarily working in the United States. In the past, USCIS followed a streamlined approach when employers filed petition extensions. Now, USCIS officers will be encouraged to re-\determine every petition extension as if it was a new filing.

The abrupt policy change makes the bureaucratic process even more timeconsuming and costly for employers and creates more uncertainty for them and their foreign workers.

For more than 13 years, USCIS followed a commonsense policy when deciding whether to grant foreign workers the opportunity to extend their employment-based nonimmigrant status.

Under the former approach, a USCIS officer could defer to an earlier petition approval if the same employer was filing an extension petition for the same worker and there was no change in circumstances since the first approval.

Doing away with this more efficient process will impact extensions of

employment-based nonimmigrant visa status, such as H-1B, L-1 and O-1. Under the new policy, USCIS officers will essentially be re-determining every petition extension anew.

This is an unnecessary change as there were already safeguards in place to prevent improper extensions. When the initial petition is filed, the employer has the burden to present sufficient evidence to establish that the requirements for the visa classification have been satisfied.

Importantly, under the former policy, USCIS would not defer to the original finding of eligibility if there was a material error in the initial approval, a sub-

stantial change in circumstances, or new material information that adversely impacted eligibility.

Contrary to the government’s claim for the policy change, the petitioner was required to meet the burden of proof throughout the entire extension process—USCIS only gave deference if the evidence remained sufficient.

Moreover, an initial grant was by no means a guarantee of an extension of that benefit.

USCIS’ rejection of the longstanding deference policy likely will result in more employers being more frequently subjected to unnecessary requests for

15

documentation after filing petition extensions.

All employers and workers are protected when the agency makes decisions according to the objective requirements of the law, rather than suggesting that USCIS officers have unfettered discretion to deny employment-based petitions. Their discretion is not absolute as federal courts have overturned USCIS denials of employment-based petitions when the agency failed to connect its decision in a rational way to the evidence in the record. Courts also have reversed USCIS denials of petitions to extend employment-based nonimmigrant status where the agency failed to explain why the prior approval was wrongly decided.

The Trump administration also continues to mislead the public by linking policy changes such as these to its Buy American Hire American initiative.

This new policy is part of a pattern by the administration to pit American workers against foreign workers in an “us vs. them” scenario. Employment is not a zero sum game. We all benefit from a competitive economy where businesses employ qualified foreign and American workers.l

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NEWS 17

NEWS

nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

nRELATIONSHIPS

nRECIPES

Tips for Setting the Perfect Holiday Table

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very holiday season, you invest hours planning and preparing the perfect menu for each celebration you host. While easy and fun may be the name of the game for buffet-style events, when it's a sit-down soiree, the delightful cuisine you produce deserves a presentation worthy of your efforts. A beautifully set table can elevate your holiday dinner from just great to simply perfect.

"Table-setting is an art form anyone can learn to execute beautifully," says Mary Bernardo, director of product development at Princess House, a leading provider of unique and exclusive cookware, food storage and home and entertainment products. "Simple touches like elegant holiday plates, colorful linens and an eye-catching centerpiece ensure a holiday table looks as inviting as the food smells."

Here are some tips for creating a beautiful holiday dinner table:

Layers look lovely Tablecloths, placemats, table runners and chargers not only help protect your table from spills and scrapes, but they also create a lovely backdrop for dishes, glasses, stemware and - of course - the food. Layering these items adds depth and interest to the tabletop.

Consider starting off with a simple white or red tablecloth, and then add either placemats in seasonal patterns or a festive runner. If chargers take up too much room on the table (or too much of your holiday budget), you can layer dinner and lunch plates to create the same effect.

Keep dishware seasonal and simple "It's been said simplicity is the soul of elegance, and that's certainly true when you're setting a holiday dinner table," Bernardo says.

Choose dishes with a basic white or cream background accented with a traditional holiday motif. Flatware should

also be simple; if your everyday collection is in good condition, feel free to use it for your holiday celebrations. If you don't have enough pieces, supplement with basic flatware that's free of embellishment or heavy designs. Glassware should also be simple and, whenever possible, multi-functional.

For example, stemless wine glasses can be used for soft drinks and water, as well as wine.

Add seasonal accents Even the simplest table setting can feel festive when you add holiday-specific touches, like napkin rings in jewel green or red, a centerpiece filled with evergreen or holly and twinkling candles.

For a centerpiece that's festive and practical, consider using your favorite holiday serving bowl, such as a crystal bowl, for the foundation. Then add holiday decor items, like mini Christmas packages, your favorite Christmas tree decorations or a pillar candle in a holiday hue like red, green or snow white. Top with a few sprigs of evergreen, holly or fresh flowers and you have an easy, elegant DIY centerpiece.

Finally, don't overlook the opportunity to extend the table's festive atmosphere to the chairs as well. You can add to their elegance by adding simple decoration such as a miniholiday wreath strung on a piece of ribbon and looped over the back of the chair.

"The dinner table is where holiday magic occurs," Bernardo says. "With a few special touches, you can set a holiday table that's perfect for the festive and welcoming spirit of the season."l(BPT)

nSPORTS

nDINING

Bacalao a la Vizcaina (Basque Style Codfish Stew)

"This Spanish-style fish stew from the Basque region of Spain is a traditional peasant dish popular in all Spanish-speaking countries (where each has given it their special twist). For example, in Mexico it is usually made for Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Lent; in Puerto Rico it is a yearround favorite but most enjoyed during Lent. This is one of the Puerto Rican versions."

-Milly Suazo-Martinez/Allrecipes.com

Ingredients 1 pound salted cod fish 4 potatoes, sliced thick 2 onions, sliced 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced 2 teaspoons capers 2 large cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup pitted green olives 1 (4 ounce) jar roasted red bell peppers, drained 1/2 cup golden raisins 1 bay leaf 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

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1 cup water 1/4 cup white wine

Directions Soak the salted cod in about 2 quarts of water, changing the water 3 times over the course of 8 hours. Drain and cut the fish into bite-size pieces.

Layer the half of each ingredient in the following order: potatoes, cod fish, onions, hard-boiled eggs, capers, garlic, olives, roasted red peppers, and raisins. Place the bay leaf on top, then pour half the tomato sauce and half the olive oil. Repeat with the remaining ingredients in the same order.

Pour the water and white wine on top.

Do not stir.

Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.l Prep 30 m

Cook 45 m

Ready In 1h 15m

Forbes Ranks Usain Bolt as Third Most Valuable Athlete Brand

amaican Usain Bolt, sprint record-holding legend and Olympic champion, has been ranked at Number 3 on the list of most valuable athlete brands by Forbes Magazine in 2017.

Earnings by Bolt totaled US$27 million, an eight-percent increase over his previous total and enough to put him ahead of other wellknown athletes like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo of Real Madrid recently received the title of

men’s Player of the Year from FIFA fell behind Bolt in the ranking. In 2016, golfer Mickelson was listed as Number 3 ahead of Bolt, but he experienced a steep decline of 30 percent in value during the past year.

Firmly ahead of Bolt is LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team who is valued at US$33.4 million and Roger Federer, a tennis legend whose brand has been valued at US$37.2 million. l -StephanieK/Jamaicans.com

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18

Book Your Ticket for Trini Carnival: The Greatest Show on Earth

TRAVEL

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BY VICTORIA FALK

oin us for "the greatest show on Earth" — Trinidad Carnival 2018.

Trinidad Carnival, known as "the original carnival", set the stage for all other West Indian carnivals, as well as carnival celebrations in London, New York, and Brazil. Thousands flock to Trinidad each year to experience Trinidad Carnival, making it the most attended carnival in the world.

Carnival occurs just prior to the start of Lent in the Catholic tradition. It marks the last chance for you to let go of your inhibition and give into your natural impulses, before embarking on a 40-day journey of fasting and restraint during the Lenten season. Trinidad Carnival 2018 begins on Monday, February 11th and ends on Tuesday, February 12th. But the excitement will be building from weeks before.

Plan to be in Trinidad for at least a week; from February 8th through February 16th, 2018. Enjoy a week of wall-to-wall parties, events, and carnival competitions that culminate into a 2-day experience. Imagine the biggest party ever with sexy masqueraders dressed in

Call 866-435-3286 for rates. Deposits accepted. colorful costumes dancing in the street to the sounds of soca, steel pan, and calypso.

Trinidad puts on this epic celebration of

culture, fashion, history, and art that cannot be missed. MyTravel.NYC has nonstop, one-stop and two-stops flights at competitive prices. Contact us today to

book your travel arrangements for Trinidad Carnival 2018. Call (866) 4353286 for more information and book your trip today.l

Earn extra income...

Enjoy perks!

Become a Certified Travel Agent and Destination Specialist

WHY BECOME A TRAVEL AGENT?

• Travel is an 8.1 trillion dollar industry • Some of that money can be yours

Call for Program dates

Attend our 4-week OR one-day Travel Agent Program. Learn how to: •Book travel and earn higher travel commissions •Use travel to raise funds for your church, nonprofit, charity, etc •Start and grow a profitable travel business •Use social media to market your business •Become eligible for major tax advantages You can start your travel business with a SSN or an ITIN.

Cost: $250.00 (Chamber members) $350.00 (non-members) Fee includes Travel Agent training and your own online travel business and individual chamber membership. Certificates will be given out to those who successfully complete the program. We recommend that you participate in our Small Business Boot Camp.

Register at www.nacc.nyc/travelagent Call 718-722-9217 for assistance VISIT WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR THE LATEST CARIBBEAN NEWS, IMMIGRATION UPDATES, VIEWPOINTS, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

HEALTH MATTERS

19

development in 2016.

But, although the UK figure is 7% higher than in 2015, it is less than 2% of the amount paid in the US. The grandparents' burden: 'We don't resent the kids— but life's hard'.

Why Opioids Are Such an American Problem

continued from page 1

West Virginia received almost nine million opioid pills, according to a congressional committee. Just 400 people live in Kermit. Nationally, opioids killed more than 33,000 people in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That figure includes deaths from heroin, an illegal opioid. But almost half involved a prescription opioid — that is, a painkiller available from a pharmacy with a note from a doctor. So why does America — more than any country in the world — have an opioid problem? There is more than one cause.

But these are some of the most important.

American doctors prescribe — a lot Unlike most European countries, the US does not have universal healthcare paid for by taxes. Instead, Americans must get their own insurance — usually via an employer or the government. "Most insurance, especially for poor people, won't pay for anything but a pill," says Professor Judith Feinberg from the West Virginia University School of Medicine.

"Say you have a patient that's 45 years old. They have lower back pain, you examine them, they have a muscle spasm. Really the best thing is physical therapy, but no one will pay for that. So doctors get very ready to pull out the prescription pad. "Even if the insurance covers physical therapy, you probably need

prior authorization (from the insurer) — which is a lot of time and paperwork."

The CDC says opioid prescriptions have fallen by 18% from their peak in 2010.

But the total is still three times higher than in 1999.

Gifts to doctors In the US, it is common for drug companies to court doctors, in an effort to promote their products, "When you're a doctor in the US, these detailing people (salespeople) come in from the industry," says Professor Keith Humphreys from Stanford University." They are invariably smooth, friendly, attractive, sharply dressed, adorable; they're giving out gifts to everybody. They host dinners, they sponsor conferences, they sponsor junkets. That is going to affect prescribing."

For the past four years, the US government has published the amounts paid by drug and device companies to doctors and teaching hospitals. The total in 2016, was more than $8billion. More than 630,000 physicians had payment records. For example, Purdue Pharma — which makes OxyContin, a popular opi-

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oid painkiller — made almost 80,000 transactions in 2016, worth more than $7million in total.

In 2016, a study looked at the link between doctors, the free meals they received from drug companies, and the medication they prescribed.

The study found receiving free meals was "associated with an increased rate of prescribing the promoted brand-name medication".

Pharmaceutical companies say their reps are merely sharing information with doctors. But Professor Humphreys says there is a "corrupting" influence.

"We need a pharma industry, it's not that it's wrong," he says. "But you can't let the fox guard the hen house.

"I would create completely clear blue water between the people that manufacture drugs and all the training and operation of the healthcare system."

Pharmaceutical companies also spend money on healthcare workers and organizations in other countries.

In the UK in 2016, companies gave £116m ($153m) to health workers and organisations for non-research and

Poor training Dr Richard Frank is professor of health economics at Harvard Business School, and served in the Health Department from 2009 to 2016, during President Obama's administration.

He thinks medical training in the US has not been good enough. "Physicians have received almost no training in pain management," he says.

"Until recently they have been under some pretty important misconceptions about how addictive various products are."

He adds: "A couple of years ago, I testified before Congress when I was in government. One of the representatives, before going into Congress, was a thoracic surgeon.

"He noted that he had gotten almost no training in pain management — and what he had learned came entirely from the nursing staff he worked with."

The heroin-ravaged city in West Virginia is fighting back against drug companies.

Dr Frank says medical training isn't the only reason for America's opioid problem. "There's plenty of blame to go round," he says.l

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LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

20

Six Steps for Dating Your Spouse Again

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of the relationship. We all know how it feels to have external stressors (like work, friends, or that annoying neighbor) spill over into our relationships. Having a place to openly talk about what is going on outside of the relationship with your partner can help you both manage this external stress, and works to bring you closer together. Try and make it a point to have this conversation during your date night, for at least 20 minutes, taking turns speaking, actively listening, and supporting each other.

BY JACQUELINE WIELICK

ith crammed schedules and the balancing act of work, kids, family, stress, and maybe even a little self-care time, becoming ‘autopilot partners’ can be SO easy. With the autopilot left on over time, your spouse can begin to feel like a roommate. This can lead to falling into routines of disconnection that end up hurting you both. Being intentional about dating your spouse will not only work to keep you close and connected, it will also buffer your relationship against negativity—making those inevitable tough conversations a little bit easier. Plus, dating each other again can be a lot of fun.

Sounds like a win-win-win!

Here are my six steps to get out of the routine of disconnection and start dating your spouse again. These steps will not only set you up for success, it will help keep your date nights on the right track when they do happen.

1. Make dating each other intentional: Bill Doherty, in his book ‘The Intentional Family,’ is so spot-on when he describes this: “An intentional marriage is one where the partners are conscious, deliberate, and planful about maintaining and building a sense of connection over the

years.” It is important for the decision to date your partner be conscious, deliberate, and planful—for both of you. Being intentional about this will help you both not fall into the trap of being autopilot partners.

2. Make dating a ritual in your relationship: This is an important tool for successful relationships because it resists turning autopilot mode on, and also opposes the day-to-day routine that can take over relationships. Routines, although done together, carry no emotional significance for either partner— and can get you stuck on the autopilot hamster wheel. On the other hand, rituals are emotionally significant, occur repeat-

edly, and are created as a team. Create your dating ritual with your partner, such as once a week date night out, or once a week brunch date at home when your mother-in-law takes the kids. Make sure your ritual is ongoing and actually built into the relationship so that it is something predictable you can count on.

Anything can be a ritual, as long as the focus is on the two of you.

3. Support each other through external stress: When looking at which couples maintained change after couples therapy and which couples relapsed, researcher Neil Jacobson found that after two years the greatest predictor of relapse was how the couple handled external stress outside

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4. Ask open-ended questions: Who we are is fluid and can change over time— and it is important to not forget that this can happen with our partners, too. Make it a point to learn something new about each other on your date. Remember, open-ended questions are questions that cannot be answered with just a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Being curious about your partner will help guide you towards what questions you’ll want to ask.

5. Keep it achievable and realistic: Rituals and good intentions are easily left behind when they are too difficult to integrate into everyday life. This means keeping your budget, kids, and work schedules in mind. Are you saving money to pay off your student loans? Try home-cooked meals or picnics instead.

Even having coffee for 15 minutes together each morning counts. Keeping your rituals realistic for both of you will set you up for success to create real longlasting change.

6. Have fun: Have fun with your date nights and have fun with your spouse!

This will help you build up positivity in the relationship, which will make it easier to overcome the negative when it does inevitably pop up. You both will also begin to associate each other with more positive feelings and emotions the more you experience them from being together. This type of conditioning will work to continually bring you closer and leave you feeling more connected than ever.

Remember that this will look different for everyone and that what is important is just being intentional about doing the best you can at the place you’re at. If these steps don’t feel achievable at this point in your relationship, know that that’s okay too.l Jacqueline Wielick, MFTI, #IMF100541 has worked at The Gottman Institute in Couples Services for four years, where she received significant exposure, training, and understanding of Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She also received training in Couples in Addiction Recovery, a program designed to target the needs of couples where addiction has come into their life, and Art and Science of Love Program Educator training, aimed towards training professionals in hosting the world-renowned Art and Science of Love Workshop.

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

21

Don't Lock Out or Freeze Out a Tenant: It’s Illegal

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BY MARCIA STEWART

andlords are subject to penalties if they change the locks or shut off utilities to get a tenant out of rental property. As any experienced landlord will attest, there are occasional tenants who do things that are so outrageous that the landlord is tempted to bypass normal legal protections and take direct and immediate action to protect the property. For example, after a tenant's repeated destructive behavior, a landlord may consider changing the locks and putting the tenant's property out in the street. Or, a landlord who is responsible for paying the utility charges may be tempted to simply not pay the bill in the hopes that the resulting lack of water, gas, or electricity will hasten a tenant's departure.

Why You Shouldn't Lock Out a Tenant Landlords who take matters into their own hands often think that their behavior will be excused by the tenant's egregious conduct. However, the fact that the tenant didn't pay rent, left the property a mess, verbally abused the manager, or

otherwise acted outrageously will not be a valid defense -- and in fact, a landlord may well end up on the wrong end of a lawsuit for trespass, assault, battery, slander or libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and wrongful eviction.

Defending this lawsuit will cost far more than evicting the tenant using legal court procedures.

Landlords or property managers who are tempted to take the law into their own hands to force or scare a troublesome tenant out of the property should heed the following advice: Don't do it! Shortcuts such as threats, intimidation, utility shutoffs, or attempts to physically remove a tenant are illegal and dangerous. So, although the eviction process can often entail considerable expense and delay, consider it the only legal game in town

Avoid Penalties and Money Damages Virtually every state that forbids "selfhelp" evictions also imposes penalties for landlords who break the law. When tenants sue after being locked out or frozen out, they can not only sue for their actual money losses (such as the cost of temporary housing, the value of food that spoiled when the refrigerator stopped

running, or the cost of an electric heater when the gas was shut off), but they can also sue for penalties, such as several months' rent. In some states, the tenant can collect and still remain in the premises; in others, tenants are entitled to monetary compensation only.

Even in states that have not legislated against self-help evictions, landlords who throw tenants out on their own run a risk of serious practical and legal entanglements. The potential for nastiness and violence is great -- picture the arrival of a patrol car while tenant and landlord wrestle over the sofa on the lawn.

Landlords who lock out their tenants often find themselves sued over the "dis-

appearance" of their tenant's valuable possessions. The tenant will claim they were lost or taken when the landlord locked them up or removed them. Using a neutral law enforcement officer to enforce a judge's eviction order will avoid these unpleasantries.l This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

For a comprehensive and up-to-date legal and practical guide for residential landlords, get Every Landlord's Legal Guide,

by Ralph Warner, Marcia Stewart and Janet Portman (Nolo)

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22

AMERICAN DREAM

Understanding the Diversity Visa Lottery

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ur hearts are with New York and all of those affected by this terrorist act in Lower Manhattan.

Such acts committed on US soil, and indeed anywhere in the world, are abhorrent.

But eliminating the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program is not the answer.

Rather than scapegoating in the aftermath of tragedy, we must instead focus on the root causes to prevent future attacks and to protect all Americans, both native born and immigrants, from those who seek to do harm.

The DV Lottery is an important component of the US immigration system; America was founded by immigrants and has flourished due to attracting people from all over the world.

What is the DV Lottery?

The DV Lottery awards up to 50,000 individuals per year a visa for a green card, which bestows permanent residency in the US and is a path to citizenship.

Opponents of immigration complain that the program brings people to the US to compete for jobs, and even supporters of immigration acknowledge the program does not tailor applicants to the

The new entry period for the DV Lottery is October 18-November 22, 2017.

For more information, visit www.dvlottery.state.gov

needs of the US. Visas are awarded by random selection in select countries to promote immigration from places that don't otherwise send many immigrants to the US. Roughly 1 million green cards are issued by the US per year. In 2016, 45,664 diversity visas were issued. The vast majority of green cards are based on family connections, and other categories include employment-based visas and refugees or asylees.

Screening DV Lottery winners are screened just like every other immigrant visa applicant, including all employment-based and family-based immigrants seeking permanent residence in the U.S. This process is extremely thorough and can take many months.

Security screening involves numerous procedures, including biometrics capture

(fingerprints and photos) to confirm the individual's identity using facial recognition and other technologies; name checks and fingerprint checks against multiple interagency government databases to identify potential criminal or national security issues; and checks against terrorist, organized crime, gang, and other watch-lists. In certain circumstances, a "Security Advisory Opinion" may be required from DOS headquarters before a visa can be issued.

In addition, all DV Lottery winners must go through an in-person interview and are again screened for eligibility through careful questioning. If any "inadmissibility ground" arises, which includes prior convictions for most crimes, security concerns, health-related issues, and prior U.S. immigration violations, the visa can be denied.

The program's history and the process The program was established by Congress in 1990, and allocates 50,000 permanent visas to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.

Each year, eligible countries are identified by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State,

based on an analysis of the number of people from each foreign state that obtained permanent resident status in the United States during the past five years.

For example, in FY2018, most African countries were eligible, as were most European countries, except Great Britain. Countries that were not eligible included Pakistan, the Philippines, India, Mexico, Brazil, El Salvador, and Peru.

In addition to being a native of a designated country, DV Lottery applicants must meet certain educational or skilled work experience requirements.

The odds of winning the DV Lottery are very slim. In FY2015, the last year for which statistics were available, close to 14.5 million people from around the world applied for the 50,000 available visas.

DV Lottery winners are selected at random and must be issued an immigrant visa within the fiscal year. If processing cannot be completed before the end of the fiscal year, due to background checks, resource limitations, or other issues, the DV Lottery winner's application will be denied, and the opportunity to immigrate to the United States through the DV program is lost.l

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