The Immigrant’s Journal - Vol. 180

Investigation Confirms Immigrant Women Held by ICE Underwent Illegal Medical Procedures at Georgia Facility

BY LINDA NWOKE, A JOURNAL EXCLUSIVE

In September 2020, the news broke on a classaction lawsuit filed by former detainees at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, against several parties, including the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Center, Dr. Mahendra Amin, and the Irwin County Hospital.

The facility, under the management of the for-profit company LaSalle Corrections, was cited as the loca tion where Dawn Wooten, a nurse at the Ocilla deten tion facility, committed the atrocities against detainees. She revealed that immigrant women kept

BY MARY CAMPBELL

In 2021, the United Nations pub lished the report “Measuring the Shadow Pandemic: Violence Against Women During COVID-19.” It said that since the pandemic, vio lence against women has increased to unprecedented levels. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine said that domestic violence cases increased by 25 to 33 percent globally. The National Commission on COVID-19 and criminal justice shows an increase

in the U.S. by over 8 percent. Domestic violence is widespread everywhere.

3 Signs You Are in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship

Sometimes relationships end up being a source of pain. You may feel you're not getting the security and comfort of having a partner. Instead, your life may start to feel like it's a series of traumas. In such situations, you may often end up doubting yourself. You may feel

The Immigrant’s

One Easy Fix Could Help Thousands of Recent Venezuelan Immigrants

BY MELISSA CHUA

Immigrants who arrived in New York City on one of the three buses from Texas on Aug. 10, waiting in front of Port Authority to be transported to home less shelters.

Over the last several months, thousands of mostly-Venezuelan asylum-seekers have arrived at the southern U.S. border seeking safety from political turmoil and inhumane living conditions.

Although Venezuela is currently the source of the second largest external dis placement crisis in the world, these migrants have received little of the wide spread outpouring of support offered to Ukrainians also fleeing dire, dangerous conditions. Instead, thousands of Venezuelans have been plunged into a political stunt: put on buses by the cur rent governor of Texas and transported from Texas to New York City.

For these immigrants, New York City is the most recent stop on a long and dan gerous escape from extreme poverty and persecution. One woman, recently arrived, told us that she and her daugh ters had endured a journey marked by sexual assault and starvation to escape Venezuela. She was desperate to start a new, safer life in New York.

In response to the very real humanitar ian crisis driving the mass displacement of Venezuelans from their home country, the Biden Administration has chosen to utilize the tool of enforcement alone, funneling these asylum seekers into deportation proceedings and onerous sur veillance programs.

The chaotic and inhumane result of this policy choice has been well documented. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the immigration court system, already at a saturation point, have buck led under the sheer number of people they are being suddenly asked to monitor and schedule for appointments and hear ings. In New York City alone, lines to “check in” with the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Office—in charge of the surveillance and monitor ing of migrants who have been paroled across the border with the anticipation of a removal process—start in the early hours of the morning and stretch around the block daily.

Moreover, because many of the Venezuelan asylum-seekers being bused to New York lack existing familial and community ties in the United States, ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have employed a variety of deceitful and legally prejudicial policies, such as fabricating addresses on their charging documents, sending their cases to far-flung jurisdictions, and supplying nonsensical or contradictory information and instructions.

For newly-arrived Venezuelan nation als, the Administration’s choice to prior itize enforcement alone means that many are left with nothing–no status or ability to work legally–waiting to enter a broken deportation machine unable to provide proper notice or other basic due process protections.

It doesn’t have to be this way. There is an easy and immediate solution to this situation: DHS could re-designate Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS is a temporary immi gration status that is extended to nation als of countries that are experiencing conditions that make it difficult or unsafe for their nationals to return. TPS allows people to remain in the U.S. and work for 18 months, and can be renewed if the conditions do not improve.

For a country’s nationals to receive this status, DHS has to “designate” the coun try for TPS, acknowledging the condi tions that warrant it and setting the dates by which a national of that country has had to be present in the United States to qualify. Most recently, Afghanistan and Ukraine were designated for TPS after large numbers of people sought safety in the U.S. following humanitarian crises in the countries, allowing those already here to receive temporary status and the ability to work.

Acknowledging the current humanitar

ian crises in Venezuela, DHS has desig nated the country for TPS, but only for those individuals present in the United States as of March 2021. This current designation does not allow those who have most recently arrived—such as the mother who endured assault and starva tion on her way to the U.S.—to qualify. Simply by re-designating TPS to include recent arrivals from Venezuela, thou sands of asylum seekers would have their legal posture drastically altered, for the better. DHS has the sole authority to make this change. It could happen with the flick of a pen.

With policies such as this, that lead with humanity instead of enforcement, thousands of Venezuelan nationals who cannot return home could work and remain legally in the United States while finding temporary safety within our bor ders.

Melissa Chua is an immigration attorney overseeing the Immigrant Protection Unit at the New York Legal Assistance Group, where she co-directs the organi zation’s response to the urgent legal needs facing immigrant communities in the city—including individuals, families, and children from South America, Afghanistan, and Ukraine—through defense in detained and non-detained removal proceedings, representation for asylum cases, help in securing citizen ship, working to protect for survivors of intimate partner violence and human trafficking, and more.l

Melissa Chua is an immigration attorney overseeing the Immigrant Protection Unit at the New York Legal Assistance Group, where she co-directs the organization’s response to the urgent legal needs facing immigrant com munities in the city—including individuals, families, and children from South America, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. This Op-Ed was first published on City Limits on Nov 28.

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Email immjournal@aol.com

Visit www.ijlef.org www.askthelawyer.us

Volunteering at THE IMMIGRANT'S JOURNAL LEGAL & EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC.

Internship positions available throughout the year.

The Immigrant's Journal Legal & Educational Fund, Inc. is an organization dedicated to the educational and economic empowerment of all immigrants and immigrant organizations here in the United States. We at the Journal recog nize the enormous contribution of immigrants to this country economically, socially and polit ically. Since September 11, 2001, however, immigrants have increasingly been discriminat ed against and Congress has passed legisla tion curtailing the rights of immigrants here in the U.S., broadly claiming that immigrants are a threat to ''National Security.'' We at the Journal believe that these charges are unfounded, unsubstantiated and exaggerated.

The Immigrant's Journal Volunteer Intern Program was introduced to give our volunteers the opportunity to work in an immigrant friendly environment while developing the necessary skills for college or law school. They assist our staff in resolving immigration and other legal concerns through personal interviews, radio, email and telephone contact. They also assist the public with citizenship applications and in researching whether or not children of natural ized U.S. citizens have derived citizenship from their parents. Some of our volunteers assist our legal staff by engaging in legal research and writing letters on other legal issues. Volunteer interns are also assigned various other jobs in our Youth Programs. Hours are flexible. Email your cover letter and resume or any questions to immjournal@aol.com

Care for Individuals Suffering from Untreated Severe Mental Illness Across NYC

On November 29, New York City

Mayor Eric Adams announced a new pathway forward to address the ongoing crisis of individuals experi encing severe mental illnesses left untreated and unsheltered in New York City’s streets and subways. In a public address, Mayor Adams detailed a com passionate new vision to tackle this cri sis, beginning with a directive being issued immediately to city agencies and contractors involved in evaluating and providing care to individuals in psychi atric crisis so that more people in need of help receive it. Mayor Adams also laid out an 11-point legislative agenda that will be among his top priorities in Albany during the upcoming legislative session. The agenda takes aim at gaps in New York State’s Mental Hygiene Law that intensify the city’s challenges in meeting the needs of its most vulnerable residents with severe mental illness. Finally, Mayor Adams announced new clinical co-response teams deployed in New York City’s subways to respond to those with serious mental health issues, as well as an enhanced training in partnership with New York State for all first responders to

compassionately care for those in crisis.

In accordance with state law and court precedent, Mayor Adams’ directive clari fies that outreach workers, city-operated hospitals, and first responders have the legal authority to provide care to New Yorkers when severe mental illness pre vents them from meeting their own basic human needs to the extent that they are a danger to themselves. The directive — issued by Mayor Adams today — seeks to dispel a persistent myth that the legal standard for involuntary intervention requires an “overt act” demonstrating that the person is violent, suicidal, or engaging in outrageously dangerous behavior likely to result in imminent harm.

Mayor Adams also announced today that the city is developing a tele-consult line to provide police officers in the field with direct access to clinicians. This new tele-consult line will provide critical clinical advice to police officers when dealing with individuals in distress and ensure a compassionate response for those suffering with untreated serious mental illness.

Measures in Mayor Adams’ legislative

agenda announced include:

•Making the law explicit that a person requires care when their mental illness prevents them from meeting their own basic needs;

•Mandating that hospital clinicians con sider a range of factors when assessing a patient’s need for involuntary admission or retention, including known treatment history and current ability to adhere to outpatient treatment;

•Requiring hospitals to screen all psychi atric patients prior to discharge for their need to receive “assisted outpatient treat ment” (court-ordered care under “Kendra’s Law”);

•Allowing a broader range of trained mental health professionals to perform evaluations and community removals of individuals in crisis; and

•Requiring hospitals to notify known community providers when their clients are admitted or released and collaborate with community providers in preparing patients for discharge.

Ahead of the winter months — when homelessness typically increases on sub ways due to the cold weather — the Adams administration has begun deploy ing subway clinical co-response teams, made up of joint patrols of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD), to patrol high-traffic subway stations and respond with a clinician-led approach to those appearing to have serious mental health issues.

Finally, in partnership with New York State, the city will also provide compre hensive training to all clinicians, out reach workers, and first responders to ensure compassionate care that potential ly could include involuntary removals when interacting with individuals in dis tress suffering from severe mental ill nesses. The city will be rolling out this training immediately.l

Mayor Adams. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Nail Salon Workers Say Proper Ventilation Can Protect Their Reproductive Health

BY AMIR KHAFAGY DOCUMENTED NY

When 38-year-old nail salon worker Pabitra Dash recalls the physical pain she felt the first time she miscarried, she says that the emotional and mental anguish she felt hurt much more.

“After the miscarriage, no one comes back to support and give a good aura,” she said.

The joy she felt the second time she got pregnant was quickly squashed when she began to feel familiar abdominal pain.

“I knew it was going to be a miscar riage again,” Dash said.

Throughout her brief third pregnancy, Dash was consumed by anxiety. Since moving with her husband to New York from Nepal, they wanted to start a fami ly. The thought of miscarrying again was too much to bear. Dash’s fears rang true when yet again she had to rush to the hospital in pain.

In total, Dash suffered seven miscar riages in the span of eight years. The miscarriages coincided with her time as a nail technician, which she quit in 2018.

Initially, she was reluctant to talk openly about her miscarriages to others in the Nepali community. Nepali women who did know would shun her, afraid that her bad luck would rub off and cause them to miscarry as well. Still, she began to hear similar stories from her coworkers at the nail salon. As it turns out the chemicals that were in nail polishes, glues, and other chemicals that they were exposed to at the nail salon daily, may have caused miscarriages and other reproduc tive health issues according to advocates.

“I started to talk with other friends who had similar issues,” she said. “Some of

them had no children too. From that, I learned it was related to our work.”

Last week, six years after it was first announced, New York State implement ed long-awaited ventilation regulations in nail salons. The new regulations require nail salon owners to protect workers and clients by providing proper ventilation to filter out toxic particles and fumes. The roughly 7,000 nail salons across the state will be required to install a mechanical ventilation system or risk losing their license to operate. The regu lations come as workers, supporters, and a growing number of experts have sounded the alarm about the reproductive

health hazards women nail salon workers are exposed to daily.

“All these chemical smells make you depressed,” she said. “When I go outside I feel so relaxed but when I go inside the salon I feel like I want to cry, I want to be alone.”

In 2016, after nail salon workers organ ized to expose the rampant abuse in the nail salon industry, the state implemented a series of new regulations that would force nail salons to provide adequate ven tilation as a way to mitigate the toxic effects of the chemicals often used by workers. Existing nail salon businesses were initially given five years to comply, and regulations went into effect on October 4, 2021. However, citing diffi culties borne by the pandemic, these requirements were delayed twice by Governor Hochul, giving businesses another year to come into compliance with the requirements. Meanwhile, many nail salon workers, like Dash, have suf fered from debilitating reproductive health issues.

A recent report by the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and

Editorial credit: Connie Guanziroli / Shutterstock.com

Nail Salon Workers / continued from page 5

Health (NYCOSH) found that 20 percent of nail salon workers reported having had issues with their reproductive health, compared to 11 percent of the general U.S. population of women of reproduc tive age who have had reproductive issues. The study, which surveyed 142 nail salon workers in New York, also found that 25 percent of nail techs had complications during pregnancy, com pared to just eight percent of all pregnan cies in the U.S. In fact, the study found that nail salon workers were more than three times as likely to have babies born with birth defects than the general popu lation.

“For decades, workers have spoken about reproductive damage as a result of their chemical exposure in nail salons,” said Charlene Obernauer, Executive Director of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH). “The results of our survey show what workers have consistently said about their health and well-being; ventilation regulations are essential to reducing this exposure and helping to create healthier nail salons for workers, customers, and owners alike. This is not just a workers’ rights issue, it’s a repro ductive justice issue.”

Aaron Lamplugh, a research scientist at the Cooperative Institute for Research

in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, has done extensive research into the level of toxins nail salon workers are exposed to and found the risks to the women workers are signifi cant.

“There are a lot of chemicals in nail salons. It’s sort of a chemical soup,” he said. “We definitely measured unusually high levels of benzene, toluene, and other chemicals, all sorts of chemicals well associated with nail products.”

Chemicals such as benzene, which is found in some nail polishes are well-doc umented to cause significant birth defects when exposed to high dosages. Toluene, which also can be found in nail polish and fingernail glue, can cause kidney or liver damage as well as cause birth defects. Long-term exposure to Dibutyl phthalate, a common ingredient in nail polish, is known to cause miscarriages. Although the most toxic effects are only associated with high and persistent expo sure, nail salon workers often work long hours in often tiny, unventilated store fronts day in and day out.

“The exposure that a lot of these work ers are experiencing, there is a lot of potential for them to have adverse health consequences later in life,” Lamplugh said.

Like most of her coworkers, Dash was not aware of the prescient dangers she was exposed to on a daily basis. She did

n’t realize that some of the nail polish bottles had warning labels written on them. At the time, she was not as profi cient in English as she is now, and many of her coworkers didn’t understand what was written on the bottles. Only after she began to be involved with Adhikaar, a women-led worker’s center that services the Nepali-speaking community, did she become aware of the danger.

“There is already written on the color [nail polish] that this color may be harm ful to you while you pregnant but we did n’t know that,” said Dash. “ Later I read this for myself and learned that formalde hyde is not good for reproductive health.”

Senator Jessica Ramos, Chair of the Senate Labor Committee and sponsor of the Nail Salon Minimum Standards Council Act is grateful that ventilation regulations have finally gone into effect

but, wishes it had come sooner.

“In order to do their part in ensuring the small businesses that employ them made it through the pandemic, workers com promised on a delay of the implementa tion of these ventilation standards,” she said. The choice between their livelihood and their health is not one we should be asking workers to make.”

Since quitting the nail salon industry, Dash was finally able to have a son. She has taken on a leadership role in Adhikaar where she has met so many other women who experienced miscar riages or gave birth to children with birth defects. It’s never easy. When she thinks back on what she was forced to experi ence it pains her.

“Is this a human rights country, is this the way they treat women who have mis carriages?” she said. “It’s really hard and these are the things that make me depressed.”

Although there was a time when she wouldn’t talk about her miscarriages out of shame, she now feels that she has to so that other women don’t go through the same experience as she did.

“I really don’t want to go deeper and deeper but I have to because those are the things that happened in my life and this is not acceptable. l

Reprinted with kind permission. Article first published on October 12, 2022 by DocumentedNY.

To Separate or Not to Separate? That is the Ques tion!

BY JANET HOWARD

If you and your partner have been struggling to get along, facing impos sible obstacles, or simply fighting constantly, you might be thinking about separating from them. The choice to sep arate can be either temporary or perma nent, but is often viewed as a way for you to enjoy some time apart from one anoth er and re-evaluate how your relationship will function moving forward. Before you talk with your spouse about separat ing, however, it's important to consider how this choice will impact your life. Here's what you need to think about.

1. Will this be permanent?

For some couples, the choice to separate is a temporary one. If you simply need a break from your partner, but aren't inter ested in divorce or permanent separation, make sure you focus on this when you bring up the topic. Let them know that you do not want a permanent separation, but rather, that you need some time to yourself. A temporary separation can be a positive way to decide whether you want to continue living alone or whether your relationship is worth salvaging.

Sometimes having some time apart can give you the clarity you've been search ing for and can help you make important decisions about your future.

2. Is counseling an option? Before you rush off to rent your own apartment, consider whether you and your partner should attend therapy or counseling together. Sometimes commu nicating in a more effective way can be beneficial. A therapist can help you accomplish this. If you and your partner

constantly struggle to demonstrate your opinions and express your ideas in a healthy way, counseling could give you the skills you need to move forward and could prevent you from separating. Additionally, if you have children, family therapy can be quite beneficial after peri ods of stress.

3. How will your children be impacted? When there are children involved, it's important to consider how the separation will affect them. Whether your kids are

five years old or seventeen, they will experience changes when you and your partner separate from one another. You'll need to decide who your children will live with, how you'll handle custody arrangements, and whether they'll contin ue attending the same school. For some kids, dealing with separation can be emo tionally stressful, so you'll need to be ready to handle that. Open communica tion is very important for any family, but is especially vital when you're thinking about separating. Your kids will need to be reassured that you and your partner still love them.

No matter what type of situation you're dealing with, it's important to consult with an attorney in your state before you choose to separate. There may be legal steps you need to take before you and your partner take a break, so make sure you reach out to an attorney today. Your lawyer can guide you throughout the sep aration process and will let you know what steps you need to take in order to make your separation a legal one.

Questions? Ask the Lawyer. Get a FREE consultation. Call 855-768-8845 or visit www.askthelawyer.us l

The Supreme Court Takes on Enforcement Priorities and Other Immigration Questions in Its 2022 – 2023 Term

BY EMMA WINGER

The Supreme Court will tackle more hot button immigration issues in its 2022 – 2023 term.

Front and center is the Biden administra tion’s effort to set immigration enforce ment priorities. But the Court will also consider what a noncitizen must do to get federal court review of immigration court decisions. It may also accept review of more immigration cases before the term is up.

United States v. Texas

The Supreme Court heard oral argument this week in United States v. Texas, the lawsuit brought by Texas and Louisiana attacking the immigration enforcement guidelines issued by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in September 2021. A federal court in Texas vacated the guidelines nationwide—a decision upheld by a court of appeals.

United States v. Texas requires the Court to weigh in once again into a poli cy dispute between Texas and other states

and the Biden administration. It calls into question the federal government’s authority to exercise prosecutorial dis cretion—the right to decide who to arrest and remove. As former DHS officials argue, for decades—across Democratic and Republican administrations—written priorities have been essential for effec tive immigration enforcement.

The Court will consider three key ques tions:

1. When can a state challenge a federal immigration policy in court? In other words, does Texas even have a right to bring this case?

To bring the lawsuit, the states have to show that the enforcement priorities have

harmed them in some way. Texas says the policy has harmed it because (accord ing to Texas) the enforcement priorities will increase its population of nonciti zens. Spending money on noncitizen res idents, Texas argues, hurts Texas.

The federal government says Texas is just speculating that the priorities will increase its noncitizen population. The enforcement priorities do not call for less enforcement—only guided enforcement.

Advocates argue that Texas’ dislike of supporting its noncitizen residents is dis criminatory and should not give it the right to sue.

During oral argument, some of the Justices expressed doubt that Texas had shown enough harm. How the Court lands on this important question may shape the future of state lawsuits designed to challenge federal immigra tion policy.

2. Do the enforcement priorities violate immigration law?

The next question the Justices must con sider is whether the immigration enforce ment policy is illegal. Texas and Louisiana argue that immigration law requires the federal government to arrest and detain all noncitizens with certain criminal convictions or orders of removal. According to the states, the guidelines impermissibly limit who U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will arrest.

The federal government argues that immigration law only requires the deten tion of certain categories of noncitizens if ICE has already decided to pursue their deportation. If ICE exercises its prosecu torial discretion not to pursue removal, it need not (and should not) detain the per son. Moreover, the government argues, it does not have the resources to arrest all removable noncitizens.

The Justices pressed both sides on this issue, but Justices Sotomayor and Brown Jackson seemed most convinced that the immigration statute does not limit DHS’ prosecutorial discretion to decide whether to arrest and seek removal of particular noncitizens.

3. If the policy is illegal, did the lower court have the power to set aside the policy nationwide?

This last question follows the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Garland v. Aleman Gonzalez. That decision pro hibits lower courts from entering an

injunction that instructs federal immigra tion officials to act in a specific way regarding law that governs “inspection, apprehension, examination, and removal . . .”

The Supreme Court will have to decide whether the lower court’s decision vio lates Aleman Gonzalez and the Administrative Procedure Act. The out come may determine the powers of lower courts to remedy the government’s ille gal immigration policies and practices.

Santos-Zacaria v. Garland

The Court will hear argument on January 17, 2023 in Santos-Zacaria v. Garland

The case asks what steps a noncitizen must take to have their immigration court proceedings reviewed by a federal court of appeals.

Immigration courts are high volume administrative courts making life or death decisions. One prominent immi gration judge describes them as “death penalty cases heard in traffic court set tings.” Immigration judges often make mistakes. Federal court review is essen tial. But immigration law creates hurdles to that review.

One requirement is that the nonciti zen—who often does not have a lawyer—cannot raise new legal argu ments before the federal appeals court. They must make all legal arguments in front of the administrative appeals court—the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)—before they can make them in federal court.

In Santos-Zacaria, the Court will con sider two questions: (1) whether a nonci tizen’s failure to make a legal argument before the BIA completely bars them from raising the argument at the federal court of appeals, or if the court of appeals can waive that requirement; and (2) when the BIA makes a new mistake (dif ferent from the mistakes made by the immigration judge), does the noncitizen have to file another motion in front of the BIA or can they go straight to the court of appeals.

The outcome of this case has the poten tial to make it even more difficult for noncitizens to appeal their decisions— and for the overburdened BIA to process cases—or it may remove hurdles to a fair review process.

Given the issues pending before it, the Supreme Court will continue to play a significant role in shaping U.S. immigra tion law and policy. In addition to United States v. Texas and Santos-Zacaria v. Garland, the Court is still considering whether to take on other immigration cases that touch on issues such as federal court review, the immigration conse quences of certain criminal convictions, and the constitutionality of a federal statute that criminalizes encouraging unlawful immigration.l

Six Reasons Why You'll Need a Licensed Real Estate Agent When You Buy or Sell a House

BY EQUITY SMART REALTY INC

Ahome is the largest purchase most individuals will ever make.

Buying or selling a home is chock full of issues, and you can save a lot of money—plus time and hassle—by knowing the ins and outs. Are you in the market to buy or sell a home? If so, you may be wondering whether to work with a real estate agent or not. While saving on the commission might sound tempting, it can cost you later.

Here are six reasons to choose a real estate agent the next time you buy or sell a home.

#1:

Agents Get the Best Price

If you're trying to buy or sell on your own, it's going to cost you. When buying, real estate agents are able to tap into mar ket data to know the best price to bid. When selling, they can use this same data to ensure you ask for the highest reason able price.

#2:

Agents Know the Market

Is now the best time to buy or sell? You might not be sure, but a real estate agent

will know. They have daily access to local market trends that outsiders can't see. And since they're working in your market each day, they can get a sense for what's com ing.

#3: Agents Know How to Negotiate Are you a strong negotiator? If not, you'll want to let your real estate agent take care of the negotiations. Remember, the other party in the transaction is likely to have an agent. So, without one of your own, you'll be up against a skilled negotiator with no backup.

agent. They know how to spot deficien cies in the house or property. Their expe rience allows them to see problems that you might not spot on your own. And they'll know what needs to be fixed and what can wait until later.

#6: Agents Can Deal

With the Paperwork

#4:

Agents Have the Time and You Don't

Let's face it: you're busy. Unless you're going to take a vacation to deal with your real estate transaction, you don't have the time. Real estate agents spend all their time working on their client properties. They make the time to handle inspections, negotiations and other activities.

#5: Agents Know What to Look For

If you're buying or selling for the first time, you'll definitely want to contract an

Do you love dealing with contracts, legal forms and other paperwork? If not, this might be reason enough to work with a real estate agent. They will take care of all the necessary paperwork for your pur chase or sale. And if you've ever partici pated in a real estate transaction before, you know there's a LOT to deal with. Leave this to your agent so you can focus on more fun activities.

Guidance

The above are just six of the (many) rea sons to work with a real estate profes sional. If you're thinking about buying or selling a home, contact our professional real estate team today. We are happy to help. Call Equity Smart Realty Inc at 888-670-6791 l

Join the Bes t Online Paralegal Program

BY THE CHAMBER COALITION

The rise in popularity of online education programs means that it is easier than ever to find the right one for you. Deciding on the best parale gal online program requires research and time. By weeding out the level mills and sub-standard institutions, you can earn a quality certificate at an affordable price. When researching online paralegal pro grams, you will want to consider several factors: cost and institution reputation are the most important. With this in mind, one program rises above the rest.

The Chamber Coalition, which compris es the New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), the African American International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC), and the Hispanic American International Chamber of Commerce (HAICC), offers the best online Paralegal Studies program. The competitive tuition rate, coupled with the impeccable reputation of the Coalition, makes this an obvious choice for anyone serious about their education. While no online program is ABA-approved, this one still maintains the highest standards.

Requirements

To be admitted to the Chamber's Paralegal Certificate program, you must be at least eighteen years old, have strong computer skills, and have a high school diploma. If these qualifications fit you, you can continue the admission process. Applications are accepted online anytime during the year. A mandatory orientation describes your upcoming classes, guide lines, and expectations.

The tuition for this respected program

is very competitive with other online paralegal degrees. It costs less than $1000 for the entire program. The aver age student can finish the degree in any where from six to twelve months. Books are extra and will run around a few hun dred dollars for everything. If you want the best paralegal online program at the best price, the Chamber Coalition Paralegal Certificate Program is the answer. The program is excellent for aspiring and current paralegals, individu

als who plan to attend law school, com munity advocates, persons who want to understand the law and their rights, and prospective political candidates.

Is Being a Paralegal Worth It?

Yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics proj ects a 10% job growth between now and 2029. The median salary nationwide in 2019 was $51,740, and the average mean wage was $61,810. It truly is a presti gious and significant profession. Simply put, paralegals help people. They help their employers be more efficient in their jobs, increase a firm's revenue and pro ductivity, and help the clients.

A career as a paralegal can be reward ing professionally and personally and offers a unique opportunity to help oth ers; options vary, depending on the para legal's practice area. l

Ready to take the leap, the next step? Visit www.freeparalegal.org to complete your registration which includes payment of $550 for the entire year. Payment includes individual membership to the Chamber Coalition.

A career as a paralegal can be rewarding professionally and personally and offers a unique opportunity to help others; options vary, depending on the paralegal's practice area.

BY WILLIAM CHITTENDEN THE CONVERSATION

When the Biden administration announced in August 2022 that it was canceling up to $20,000 in student loan debt per borrower, it said the idea was to provide families with “breathing room as they prepare to start repaying loans after the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic.” But two federal courts recently blocked President Joe Biden’s student loan relief program, ruling it unconstitutional. This article explains why and what’s next for student loan borrowers still hopeful that their loans can be forgiven.

1. Why was Biden’s student loan can cellation program blocked?

It was found to be unconstitutional. That determination was made on Nov. 10, 2022, by Judge Mark Pittman of the U.S. District Court of Northern Texas, who ruled that the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 –or Heroes Act – “does not provide the executive branch clear congressional authorization” for a student loan forgive ness program. He said further that the

program was “an unconstitutional exer cise of Congress’s legislative power and must be vacated.”

The judge’s ruling prevents any student loans from being forgiven “until a final verdict is made” in the case. Technically it could go to the Supreme Court, but it may also be settled at the appellate court level.

In a separate case, on Nov. 14, a threejudge panel with the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit temporarily blocked the program until the case is resolved in court. The 8th Circuit covers seven states, including Missouri, which is one of several Republican-led states seek ing to block the program.

2. Can it be unblocked?

Both court decisions could be reversed. The Biden administration has argued that the Heroes Act of 2003 allows the Secretary of Education to forgive student loans for those affected by the pandemic.

The Biden administration has already filed a notice to appeal the Nov. 10 ruling by Pittman.

On Nov, 18, the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to vacate the order by the Court of Appeals blocking

student loan forgiveness. The Supreme Court has asked the plaintiffs in the case to provide their response by Nov. 23, 2022.

It is unclear how the full court might rule. However, in two previous instances, Justice Amy Coney Barrett has shot down attempts to block the student loan for giveness plan.

3. What kind of relief can student loan borrowers get in the meantime? Currently, student loan payments are paused but are scheduled to start again –either 60 days after the legal cases against the program have been resolved, or 60 days after June 30, 2023, whichever

comes first. The Biden administration could extend the payment pause beyond December 2022. However, in August 2022 – when the most recent payment pause extension was announced – the White House stated that it was supposed to be the final extension.

Despite the setback for widespread stu dent loan forgiveness, some borrowers may still qualify for one or more targeted student loan forgiveness programs. These groups include borrowers who attended a school that shut down. Student loans may also be forgiven for those who are totally and permanently disabled. Students who were defrauded by their school – such as by being misled about job placement rates for graduates or the true cost to attend the school – may also be eligible.

In November 2022, the Biden adminis tration released new rules to make it eas ier for student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy. If a student loan borrower can prove their expenses are equal to or greater than their income, the student loan debt may qualify to be eliminated in bankruptcy. l

William Chittenden is an Associate Professor of Finance, Texas State University

Illegal Medical Procedures/ continued from page 1

at the facility were forced to undergo medical proceedings – precisely several hysterectomies without consent and, in some cases, without their knowledge.

The gynecologist, Dr. Mahendra Amin, was identified as the professional per forming unwanted and unnecessary pro cedures on detained female immigrants in custody at the ICDC from 2017 –2020.

During that period, the agency had commissioned the medical treatment of over 90 women by Dr. Amin based on an acclaimed need for medical intervention. Moreover, advocates complained that the women had endured careless coronavirus mitigation policies, medical neglect, and questionable procedures conducted with out the patient's consent.

Following the allegation, the facility, which was still running under a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service. However, in May 2021, President Joe Biden's administration stopped housing detainees at the facility under the leader ship of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. He explained that it was part of the effort to reform immigra tion detention.

Congressional Investigations and Findings

For more than two years since the whistleblower's revelation, many gov

ernmental investigations were initiated, including the one under the supervision of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Permanent Investigations. The team, led by a Democrat from Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff, and other members like the Republican from Wisconsin, Senator Ron Johnson, supervised the process.

They released a 100-page plus report from the eighteen-month bipartisan investigation that examined the allega tions made by the nurse, victims, and the advocacy group.

Georgia's Senator Jon Ossoff formally presented the report at a hearing. The document contained testimonies from various stakeholders - including officials of the ICE, the Inspector General of

Homeland Security, and representatives from LaSalle Corrections. Responses from discussions with physicians and a former immigrant detainee were also included in the report.

Among several conclusions, the sub committee's report debunked the case of unnecessary hysterectomies as untrue. They confirmed that ICE approved only two important hysterectomies by Dr. Amin for detainees.

Hence, the report concluded that 'no mass hysterectomies' were conducted. However, they uncovered other disturb ing medical policies and procedures at the Georgia facility, including the con duct of the accused medical doctor.

The Issues and Evidence

One major conclusion from the investi gation is that some female detainees underwent unnecessary, excessive, and invasive gynecological procedures.

The Medical Practitioner: During the investigation, an obstetrician-gynecolo gist, Dr. Peter Cherouny, was assigned to review the medical records of the proce dures conducted on the women by his colleague Dr. Amin. Studies revealed that he found the surgical procedures too forceful and his care outdated.

Dr. Cherouny found that 40 of the 94 records he examined had patients whose benign ovarian cysts were surgically removed by Dr. Amin. A procedure that

was medically unnecessary as surgical interventions can result in bleeding, pain, infection, and sometimes infertility.

The Victims: The report reveals that half a dozen former detainees said Dr. Amin treated them without regard during med ical procedures. He kept them unin formed about their medical diagnoses and treatment plans. Many still feel afraid, confused, and violated after his treatment.

One of the victims who testified during the hearing, Karina Cisneros Preciado, a 23-year-old woman detained at Irwin between July 2020 to January 2021, recalled the unhygienic conditions they lived in during her detention. However, her greatest nightmare was enduring an invasive gynecological procedure by the doctor, who treated her shabbily during the process.

Worst of all, she was asked to sign a paper that she didn't understand and was offered no explanation.

In her testimony, Karina, a mother of two, one of which was a 4-month-old baby at the time of the incident, relived her ordeal. It all started when she got arrested after reporting domestic vio lence, and her immigration status became known. While she was in ICE's custody and awaiting deportation proceedings, she had to be taken for a postpartum checkup in 2020.

Illegal Medical Procedures/ continued from

page 12

The Subcommittee's Conclusion

The Senators found that Dr. Amin only carried out two hysterectomies within the period under investigation (2017 and 2019), contrary to the allegations. However, he also conducted too many other reproductive procedures on the detainees within three years.

Among the women held within the peri od at the Irwin County detention center by ICE, Dr. Amin performed more than 75% of various procedures. They include pelvic scans, laparoscopies, and adminis tering Depo-Provera injections.

To balance the findings, investigators tried to contact the doctor for an inter view, but they were denied any interview. His lawyers countered the request with other claims, and Dr. Amin invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to testify to avoid self-incrimination.

Investigators said Dr. Amin was being investigated by the federal government earlier in the year. The subcommittee also noted an ongoing internal investiga tion by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) against him related to medical procedures for immigrants.

The Case Against ICE: The committee reported that the agency lacked a policy

that secures immigrants' consent for medical procedures performed by a thirdparty facility overseen by them.

Furthermore, the investigations revealed over 600 grievances by the detainees on medical care issues between 2018 and 2020, which were largely inadequately addressed. According to the bipartisan Senate panel report, women held at the privately run immigration jail in Georgia were subjected to unnecessary gynecol ogical procedures. ICE authorities did not halt the years-long patterns of acclaimed unethical and aggressive treat ment.

ICE and La Salle Corrections agencies only acted in 2020 after the whistleblow er's revelations in the news. They also questioned the agency's oversight and supervision of medical providers. They said ICE appears unaware that the doctor had an impending federal lawsuit against him before the 2020 complaint, nor was he not board certified, among other dis

tressing findings.

In defense, the officials claim that it is not their responsibility to obtain informed consent from the professional medical body's patients. Additionally, they provided evidence of treating the allegations against the center and Dr. Amin as a priority by stopping any refer ral of detainee patients to his clinic and, eventually, preventing the use of the Irwin County facility.

ICE's Assistant Director, Stewart D. Smith, reported that the agency com menced the improvement of its manage ment of off-site providers. The agency established policies and guidelines, such as national care guidelines and review processes, before the public's knowledge. He explained that the agency conducted a review of the allegations of involuntary medical procedures in September. However, they did not find any evidence to substantiate the allegation, yet they stopped sending patients to Dr. Amin.

In her response, the representative from LaSalle Corrections, Pamela Hearn, the medical director, claimed her organiza tion was not actively involved in the detention and transfer of immigrants to healthcare providers authorized by ICE. She explained that the agency was solely in charge of screening and authorizing all off-site medical providers that render medical services to detainees.

Despite various defenses, the panel, through the report, concluded that the federal government failed to respect the fundamental human rights of the detained immigrants.

They observed that within three years, a single medical practitioner performed more surgeries on patients than usual. In particular, he performed a lot (more than eighty percent) of "dilation and curet tage" surgeries. He also administered over ninety percent of contraceptive injections. Not to mention, the more than ninety-three percent of laparoscopic sur geries remove lesions.

Senator Ossoff concluded that ICE should have noticed the anomaly if the agency had conducted the necessary background check on the medical per sonnel. In his view, the data was appar ent, but the agency was not paying atten tion and hurt many people in the process.l

Know Your Rights with ICE

If approached by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents, you have rights!

What can I do if ICE is at my door?

• You do not have to immediately open the door for ICE and you do not have to speak to ICE.

• From behind the closed door, you may ask them who they are and to show their badge, ID or business card through the window or peephole or to pass it under the closed door.

• You can ask if they have a judicial warrant:

If they say No, you do not have to let them in. You may say,

“I do not want to speak with you.”

If they say Yes, you can ask them to slide it under the door. To know if it is a judicial warrant, look to see who signed the warrant.

A judicial warrant is a warrant from a court, signed by a judge. For example, judge signatures may have “Honorable/Hon.” “Judge” “Justice” or “Magistrate” in front of them.

• In an emergency, such as a threat to public safety or a threat to someone’s life, ICE can come in without asking your permission. If this happens, you still do not have to speak to ICE.

• If ICE is looking for someone, you do not need to speak. If you choose to speak, you can ask ICE to leave contact information. While you do not need to tell ICE where the person is located, providing false information puts you at risk.

What can I do if ICE is inside my home?

• If ICE enters your home without your permission, you can tell them clearly: “I do not consent to you being in my home. Please leave.” Saying this may not always stop them, but it may help any future legal case.

• If ICE starts to search rooms or items in your home, you can tell them, “I do not consent to your search.” You can continue to repeat this if they continue to search without consent.

• You can tell them if there are children or other vulnerable residents in your home.

What can I do if ICE stops me on the street or in public?

• Before you say anything, you can ask, “Am I free to go?”

If they say Yes: you can say, “I don’t want to answer your questions”

If they say No: you can say, “I want to remain silent.”

If ICE agents try to search your pockets or belongings, you can say,

“I do not consent to a search.”

If they search you anyway, you cannot physically stop them, but clearly saying it may be important in any future legal case.

This fact sheet gives only general information. It is not legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice. English

Call 855-768-8845 for an Immigration Consultation

Can You Imagine Not Having Legal Representation in Court When Your Life and Livelihood Are on the Line?

On November 30, in City Hall Park in Manhattan, the New York Immigration Coalition launched the Campaign for Access, Representation, and Equity (CARE) for Immigrant Families. If the Access to Representation Act (ARA) is passed, New York would become the first state to enact a right to counsel for immigrants, making us a national leader in enacting commonsense immigration policies.

The ARA is a first-in-the-nation piece of legislation that would empower immi grants to protect themselves and their families in legal proceedings. No person should have to navigate our complex legal system without expert help, which is why the NYIC, Vera Institute for Justice, and I-ARC kicked off the CARE for Immigrant Families coalition to guarantee access to legal counsel in immigration court for all immigrant New Yorkers, regardless of income or legal status.

Investing in legitimate legal resources will help eligible immigrants protect their rights during heightened, and often unchecked, immigration enforcement. It will also protect all immigrants who are

vulnerable to fraudulent schemes, as nonauthorized providers often seek to fill that gap in the market.

It’s a no-brainer that having expert legal assistance can drastically alter the out come of your legal proceedings — but there are countless barriers to access for the average immigrant New Yorker. Unlike citizens who have the right to an attorney in the criminal legal system, immigrants are not afforded that same right; if they cannot afford a private attor

ney, they must find a nonprofit able to help or represent themselves. Many immigration legal service providers don’t receive adequate funding to hire and retain staff to serve new clients while guaranteeing that existing clients will have lawyers for the duration of their cases. These obstacles are actively keep ing immigrant families from successful legal proceedings that keep them safe in the country they call home — and this can impact any immigrant family, no matter

how long they have been in the United States.

The demands are simple: we need our elected officials to pass the Access to Representation Act, guaranteeing that immigrants in deportation proceedings will never have to defend themselves against a trained government lawyer alone. This act would be the first of its kind in the United States.

The Access to Representation Act will mandate that the State appoint a lawyer to anyone in New York who has a case before an immigration judge or who has a basis to appeal or request to reopen an old deportation order and meets income requirements.

Every New Yorker — whether they’ve been here for a few months or a few decades — has equitable access to repre sentation that keeps them from being ripped away from their families and home. It’s time that New York leads the nation in enacting commonsense immi gration policies that uplift all New Yorkers.l

Assembly Member Tony Simone, Assembly Member Catalina Cruz, State Senator Brad Hoylman, and the NYIC's Executive Director Murad Awawdeh speak on the urgent need for the Access to Representation Act.

Photo courtesy: NYIC

Discussing Pediatric RSV with Experts: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

BY LINDA NWOKE

Over the past few weeks, the Pediatric intensive care units in U.S. hospitals have been experi encing an overflow in cases of sick chil dren. Many presenting symptoms are associated with the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), an illness that causes 2 out of every 100 deaths in healthy under 5-year-old children. The increasing cases and their consequences formed the basis of the discussions among a group of experts. They shared insights on the causes, how to differenti ate between a cold, COVID, and RSV in young children, as well as preventive measures, treatment, and therapy.

The State of RSV in America

According to experts, a definite surge in pediatric patients is associated with RSV and other viral illnesses. The observed increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations is linked to RSV and other virus-related conditions. As winter approaches, doctors are warning of an impending danger because of the alarm ing trend in the timing of the increased respiratory illness and viruses among children.

"It's merely November, and we're see ing an uptick which we would see in December, January, and February. We're seeing a very early spike, which is alarm ing for us because we don't know what's going to happen the rest of the season," says Dr. Mina Hakim, Pediatrics Specialist at South Central Family Health Center in Los Angeles,

Differences between an Influenza (Flu), COVID, and RSV RSV is a common winter virus with a predictable seasonality and has been around for many decades. Although the recent spike in cases has surpassed many other types of respiratory viruses.

Some experts have attributed the return and mingling of school children, without immunity against certain viruses in an ongoing pandemic, as a possible reason for the spike. They agreed that the three illnesses have some similarities in symp toms. "They can present with cough, runny nose, fever or sore throat," says Dr. Manisha Newaskar, Clinical Asst Professor of Pediatrics, Pulmonary med icine at Stanford Medicine Children's Health.

However, the main difference is that the onset of symptoms in the Flu is quick, with body aches, fatigue, high fever, and headache. Incidentally, the symptoms are hard to differentiate for children under five years, especially among babies. "Any child or an infant less than six months of age with cough, congestion, and fever needs to be moni tored. We need to keep an eye on the pro gression of the baby's symptoms because the viruses can be complex and devastat ing at that particular age," revealed Dr. Manisha Newaskar.

babies happens in stages during winter, characterized by loss of appetite, cough ing and sneezing, and runny nose, with or without fever in the baby.

However, the baby's symptoms may progress to respiratory distress, difficulty breathing, and poor feeding. They recom mend keeping an open line of communi cation with the child's pediatrician and primary care provider to ensure that the child can be seen for further evaluation.

Developing Multiple Viruses Illness at the Same Time

Evidence shows that kids with Flu can get co-infections with COVID and RSV. Doctors claim that many viruses coexist in one patient, which can be alarming for caregivers. The kids may get better, and then they get hit with another virus, resulting in a prolonged singular illness, they say.

The virus is typically spread through exposure and contact with the droplet from an infected individual's cough or secretions. Thus, wearing a mask by the symptomatic patient is a way of prevent ing the spread to others. Secondly, the uninfected person should also wear a mask around someone who may be sick, especially in cases of RSV. Moreso, reg ularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs and crib handles, and regu lar handwashing are prevention meas ures.

Keeping Children Safe Outside the Home

Caregivers with sick children are advised not to send them to daycare or school if they are ill or coming down with any ill ness. The experts recommend keeping them at home to prevent virus transmis sion.

In New York, where people are sick with a lot of breathing problems and trav el on public transportation like buses and trains. Doctors advise that people should receive a booster shot, especially the fourth booster shot for COVID and Flu vaccine,

Also, to prevent being infected, basic hygiene measures such as washing hands and wearing masks are recommended. "So, if you're planning to travel in crowd ed places, especially now that there is the

when going out may not be a bad idea. And if you are sick, avoid traveling because then you will not infect other people," says Dr. Newaskar.

Flu Vaccine and RSV Treatment

The flu vaccine is strictly for the preven tion of Flu. It will not prevent an RSV infection, say the doctors, because the virus is different, and presently there is no vaccine for RSV. However, there are studies on the horizon and promises of an RSV vaccine in the pipeline.

According to experts, babies become severely ill from RSV because they have smaller airways and cannot clear secre tions like older adults. "The RSV virus can be a mild cold, but babies can get bronchiolitis and other complications. So, it's essential to support the baby by clearing the secretions manually for them. There is no treatment or therapeu tic antiviral for RSV virus." Says Dr. Mina Hakim

How Parents Can Detect RSV Dr. Priya Soni, the Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, affirms that a parent should first contact the pediatrician. Communication is essential. "Talk with your pediatrician. Let them know if your child is not feeling well. They will pro vide the proper support to the child."

Contact them early to assess the baby and the stage of the illness. The expert will gauge if additional measures, includ ing IV fluids or oxygen support, are needed through a physical examination. "They will listen to the child and see if there are any risk factors for the child getting worse with the illness," Dr Soni advises.

However, some pediatricians may need rapid antigen testing, making diagnosing the exact case difficult. This test helps them rule out the Flu through the quick or COVID antigen tests. Doctors conduct further tests in urgent care and emer gency rooms in an emergency. Sometimes, they test for all three viruses with one rapid test and have an answer in 15 minutes.

Dr. Soni thus recommends that parents should prepare for the respiratory illness season. "One of the ways is by getting

nasal suctioning devices that can help clear secretions in small babies who may need help," she says.

Furthermore, it is essential to get a humidifier. "Invest in a humidifier, and that's really helpful during the respiratory season. The dry air allows viruses to spread and multiply more. Therefore, keep the air nice and moist," she advises.

Finally, the best protection against sea sonal illness continues to be COVID-19 vaccination for everyone ages six months or older, updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters for people ages five-and-older, and the annual flu shot for everyone 6 months and older.

“With so many preventive measures in place over the past two and a half years due to COVID-19, we have been less exposed to many seasonal illnesses com pared to pre-pandemic,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “That means these viruses are circulating earlier and getting more people sick. The best protection is to get your flu shot and bivalent COVID booster right away, and to wear a mask in crowded public indoor settings. You should also stay home when sick to protect others from getting sick. Additionally, we can stick to the triedand-true disease prevention measures, like handwashing and avoiding contact with others, especially children, when we’re not feeling well.”

Prevention and Treatment Strategies Vaccines, Boosters, & Future Cures RSV is the leading cause of respiratory disease in infants younger than six months and other age groups. Common colds in older children and adults have less severe symptoms than in a tiny baby, which is why it spreads faster in little kids.

Studies show that most children would experience RSV infection by their second birthday. They also have bronchiolitis, a condition where there is inflammation of the small airways of the lungs. Any swelling or mucus collection can make it very difficult for infants with small bronchial tubes to breathe, resulting in low oxygen levels.

The swelling makes the heart work hard and often results in dehydration. In some instances, the baby will have acute respi ratory failure, which can result in admis sion to the ICU and being placed on ven tilator support.

Some infants are predisposed and are at higher risk for developing RSV. For instance, premature babies are at the most risk of contracting severe RSV and underlying medical conditions like heart disease. "Using bulb suction in the nose can help the baby breathe better.

Acetaminophen and Tylenol can be help ful for fever control," suggested Dr. Manisha Newaskar.

She recommended keeping the baby hydrated. "The treatment option for RSV

is what we call supportive therapy. We make sure that we suction the passages. We give them oxygen if needed, IV flu ids to keep them well hydrated, and res piratory support in the hospital," says Dr. Newaskar.

The illness runs as a viral infection and then slowly gets better. RSV is consid ered contagious and lasts for 8 to 10 days. Data shows that the RSV virus sur vives on unwashed hands for thirty min utes or more and stays on surfaces for up to 6 hours.

Thus, prevention and thorough hand washing are essential, in addition to wearing a mask at the first sign of a cold, practicing isolation, and using the Synagis vaccine.

"Only premature babies are eligible candidates for that vaccine. They are monthly injections given during a typical RSV season, starting October through March, every year. It doesn't prevent the baby from getting RSV. Still, it will pre vent them from getting severely ill, so they don't end up in the hospital with res piratory failure," says Dr. Mina Hakim.

Populations at High Risk

Specific populations have a higher risk of contracting RSV. They include Caucasians, Hispanics, and American

Indians. According to the CDC, more Hispanic and American Indians have been hospitalized for RSV this season.

According to the experts, there is a higher tendency for RSV occurrence in Hispanic populations with low socioeco nomic status, multiple families, and ten to fifteen children in the same house. However, the populations considered the highest risk are children younger than six months of age. Data shows that while the hospitalization rate for the general popu lation is about 13 per 100,000, for chil dren less than six months of age, the hos pitalization rate can be up to 2%.

Risk Factors

Children with underlying conditions, such as infants born less than 29 weeks of age at the time of birth and children with chronic lung disease, are always high

risk. "Other conditions like asthma, cys tic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy decrease the immune system and malnu trition," says Dr. Hakim.

When children or families don't have good access to food, formula, and breast feeding, they also have a higher risk for RSV. "Studies have found that kids exposed to smoking at early stages are more likely to be hospitalized due to RSV. Babies that have not been breastfed, especially for more than three months of breastfeeding."

Another risk factor is living in older houses, houses explicitly built before 1990. They were found to increase the risk of having severe bronchitis from RSV. "And that is probably due to the environmental exposures to the dust, fun gus, and other respiratory irritants that can increase severity," says Dr.

Newaskar.

Infants also risk contracting the virus by the number of people around them. The more adults in the house, the more likely that there will be someone who smokes, which increases the risk for RSV.

"We want to encourage our patients to go to their primary care doctors, avoid E.R.s, and avoid urgent care as much as possible. Because if your child has the rhinovirus, which is a common cold, and then you end up going in the E.R., and you catch influenza, COVID, or the RSV, then you're going to be back in the E.R. with more severe disease," says Dr. Hakim.

Help

Many pharmacies and doctors’ offices offer both flu and COVID-19 vaccines, and it is safe to get them at the same time. To find a nearby COVID-19 and flu vaccination provider, visit vac cinefinder.nyc.gov/ or contact NYC Health + Hospitals at 1-844-NYC-4NYC (844-692-4692) to schedule an appoint ment with a primary care provider who can offer your child vaccines.

The Health Department posts flu and RSV data on its surveillance summary webpage: Influenza Surveillance — NYC Health.l

Eric

Your Legacy: Plan Your Estate Today

BY DANA MATHURA

You are growing older each day.

As much of an unwanted reminder that may be, it too, comes with the joys and woes you have experienced all throughout your exis tence.

We all reach an age where we find our selves inundated by the inevitable. Perhaps this has happened to you when the doctor provided some news about a condition, or you looked down at your birthday cake only to see more candles than icing. As much as we shy away from talking about it, death is the one experi ence we all share in common.

As society has it, it is essentially too taboo of a topic. However, in not talking about it, we lose out on much needed information during our lives.

By this, I am of course referring to the planning of an estate or a will. You may think the act is only for the wealthy who have plenty to go around and need the organization that planning offers. But the fact of the matter is, you too, could ben efit from the organization and planning of an estate or will.

For one, it allows what you have—be it a little or a lot—to be allocated to the people you would like. No amount is too

small because what happens after your death is a tale to be told. Time and time again, we hear the horror stories of one member of a family passing without a will and their money bringing horrific family feuds to the dinner table.

The simplest solution is to create a plan. An estate plan boils down to an arrangement outlining the future of your valuables and assets—think houses, cars, life insurance, pensions, stocks, even debts—after you are gone. Establishing one with a lawyer ensures there are no holes in your plan or desires. A will is not dissimilar, as it is a legal document ordering what items go to which loved one. An estate plan, though, takes the process further and incorporates some belongings a will does not cover.

As painful as it may seem to contem

plate your own death, you would be doing your family a great service. After your death, the division of property, funds, and other valuables could turn complicated and even aggressive in nature. Having your wishes visible in writing has the ability to hold up in court. Your family, friends and other loved ones you leave belongings to, will also be more likely to respect your wishes if you declare them beforehand.

Pre-planning is always a good habit to get into. Luckily, if you do pre-plan your estate or will, it translates into direct sav ings for your loved one’s bank accounts. They will not need to take on the headache of paying a lawyer after your passing if you already did the bulk of the work while you were living. Money is also saved since you have to pay probate

costs when you draft a valid estate plan. Without one, the state you resided in will have a say in how your possessions are disseminated. This option does not even guarantee it will go to your family.

If you are a minority, you might already be at a higher risk of not seeing the need to have these affairs in order. You would be making a large mistake and contribut ing to the $2 billion that probate fees cost families left behind each year, states Black Enterprise Founder, Earl G. Graves Sr. It only goes to show that much is to be done on that front. Graves goes on to mention that collectively, AfricanAmericans hold about 2 million busi nesses in the United States. If these busi nesses are not rightfully handed down to the next of kin, then they are subject to your state’s decision as to who will receive it. This is a route no one should aim for.

There is a dire need to protect minori ty-owned assets. In doing so, it will help contribute to the future of minorities as they use the funds and property gained from estate planning to attend college and build businesses in the coming age. This creates an ever-sustainable econo my if the cycle can continue on. Preserving your family’s wealth could never be a bad idea.l

Developing an estate plan can be the most important aspect of your end-of-life planning process. A solid estate plan can help eliminate the chance for family fights when it comes to dispersing your property, money and possessions.

Abusive Relationship/

from

confused about why your partner treats you so bad. At the same time, you may still hold on to the positive aspects, mak ing it hard for you to make a decision.

If you're not sure if your relationship is abusive, here are three signs to look out for. These are by no means the only symptoms. But they signal a high-level of danger to your physical and emotional health.

thing you want, such as more attention or affection. Or perhaps your partner has a double standard. For example, they may think it's OK for them to make you look bad in public. Yet, if you complain about it they'll accuse you of disgracing them.

Such situations may make you feel worthless. You may feel confused about whether your perception is based on real ity. This may weaken your confidence and damage your self-image.

You Find Yourself Hurting Your Partner

threaten your well-being. Be prepared for an uphill battle. But remember, you're fighting for your life.

You're

Not Allowed

to Have an Opposing Opinion

People will always disagree on certain things. Conflict is not a bad thing if it's an avenue to learn, grow, and exchange ideas. However, certain people can only accept their own points of view.

If you keep getting dismissed or demeaned in arguments, you're being abused. It doesn't matter if your views are accurate or not. Nobody has the right to make you feel inferior.

Sadly, certain people don't know how to deal with opposing opinions. This may cause them to lash out. They may also use your disagreements as a chance to take out their frustrations.

You Can't Raise Issues About How You Feel

Similar to the point above, you may end up being attacked when you raise an issue. This may be a demand for some

In certain cases, you may end storing up feelings of anger and humiliation. When you can't take anymore, you may end up lashing out at your partner. This may increase conflict and you may end up getting hurt even more.

The key here is to not allow your part ners behavior to turn you into something you're not. Don't let their abuse be an excuse for acting against your own beliefs. Instead, assess your situation. Decide if you want to continue being in a situation that causes you to lose self-con trol.

Dealing with emotional abuse is hard. At the same time, staying a victim will only make your life worse. If you feel abused, take action to change the situa tion. Most importantly, connect with yourself and learn to understand your own actions. Do things that make you feel loved and respected. That will make it harder for you to stay in situations that

Immigrants and Domestic Violence Immigrants in the US. have the right to live life free of abuse. Due to the victim’s immigration status, abusive partners have additional ways to exert power and control over their victims. If you are an immigrant or refugee in an abusive rela tionship, you may face unique issues that make it hard to reach out for help.

VAWA

As a victim of domestic violence, there are laws that can allow you to gain legal status in the United States. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was creat ed in 1994 by then Senator Joe Biden, to protect victims of domestic violence, and offers specific protections for people without legal status in the US. VAWA also protects men and children who are victims of domestic violence.

As part of the perpetration of domestic

violence, abusers often may refuse to assist you with applying for immigration status, may promise to apply for you, but never actually help, or threaten to contact immigration and report you. VAWA helps victims of domestic violence allowing them to self-petition for their own legal status without the abuser’s help or knowledge.

A specialized immigration attorney should always be your first point of con tact when it comes to immigration ques tions and concerns. You can also listen to Ask the Lawyer Radio Program on WVIP 93.5FM on Thursdays, 10pm11pm and Sundays, 11pm to 12am. The program provides great information and also an opportunity for a confidential, no obligation legal consultation. The num ber to call is 855-768-8845. You can also visit www.askthelawyer.us

Dating the Sagittarius Man

BY MARY CAMPBELL

Carefree and broad-minded, the Sagittarius man wants to savor everything life has to offer. Socially adept and always in search of the next adventure, this man is sure to provide a date full of surprises. The Sagittarius sign from November 22December 31, is the final fire sign of the zodiac. Sagittarius traits are unlike any other sign of the zodiac; they're totally unique to this audacious spirit. Represented by the archer (a half-man, half-horse centaur), what makes Sagittarius so unique is its dynamic blend of passion, curiosity, intensity, and adapt ability.

Dating

Dating a Sagittarius man is like going to an amusement park with a little kid — after the child has filled up on cottoncandy, chocolate, and three cans of soda! You'll never know what a date may result in when you go out with this busy gentle man. The Sagittarius gent will think "out side the box" when planning a date, so expect the unexpected and look forward to one whimsical escapade after another. Dining will entail something beyond the normal restaurant experience. Look to test flavors unfamiliar to your taste

buds. Movie night may end up being a trip to the foreign film marathon. Perhaps the impetuous Sagittarius man will have you participating in a nature walk or glass blowing classes. A sky-diving excursion — why not?

Relationships

The Sagittarius man will be incredibly supportive of his partner's endeavors and will applaud the successes in her life. Highly social and always active, you'll never experience a dull moment with a Sagittarius man. This gentleman doesn't fluster easily and his ability to deal with stressful situations keeps your relation ship on solid ground. Beware of argu ments. The Sagittarius man may enjoy a lively debate, but he hates to lose.

Romance

What a ride the Sagittarius man will take you on when it comes to romance. If he doesn't already have it on the menu, this impulsive man is unconventional enough to try whatever you may suggest. Exploration of the senses and an enjoy ment of new sexual experiences make the Sagittarius man a vibrant lover.

Your Dream

Dating the Sagittarius man is whatever you dream it to be. It can be the reality of live theater performances, or the fantasy of a masquerade ball. The date could be a high-seas adventure, walking in the rain, or sunset strolls. The Sagittarius man is a Genie, the date his bottle, and your dat ing wish his command.l

4 Dangers to Be Aware of as a City Cyclist

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

If you're new to cycling, or to cycling in urban areas, you'll need to be alert to a number of potential hazards.

While cycling is an excellent way to travel, being good for your health and planet-friendly, too, accidents can all too easily occur if you're unprepared. Dedicated cycle lanes improve safety levels, but they can give cyclists a false sense of security because the lanes are not hazard-free. Here are four key dan gers to watch for on your way through city streets.

1. The sudden end of a cycle lane

If the roads in your town have dedicated cycle lanes, you're off to a good start. You'll be separated from the flow of traf fic beside you, with a clear way ahead. But you'll still need to keep alert. Cycle tracks rarely run the full length of a road and, in many cases, stop abruptly at a junction or merge unexpectedly with the traffic. The route may also be blocked by a vehicle illegally parked on it, or by a wide vehicle on the road overlapping it. You might also encounter pedestrians on the cycle track, preparing to cross the road, perhaps with prams, strollers, wheelchairs or dogs. There will also be other cyclists, travelling at different speeds, some overtaking you and others

in your path. For all these reasons, it's vital to stay alert at all times, even in the bicycle lane.

2. An obstacle in your path

Items might be deposited on a road at any time, whether dropped, blown or inten tionally placed there. When visibility is good and the road is straight and flat, you may spot the obstruction in time to avoid it. But in darkness or fog, or with hills or bends ahead, you may not see it until the last moment, if at all.

Four-wheel vehicles can often drive safely over small items, so the traffic ahead may provide no warning, but if you notice vehicles veering to one side or slowing down, you'll know there's a sig nificant hazard in the way. To be on the safe side, keep your fingers over the

brakes at all times, and scan the road and traffic ahead as you go.

3.

Traffic passing too close

Even if you've only just started cycling, chances are you've already had the unnerving experience of cars brushing past uncomfortably close. While many drivers will provide a respectful berth, there are always exceptions. One of the chief dangers of a close-brushing vehicle is that the cyclist may wobble from sheer panic and lose their balance.

Another danger is that the encroaching vehicle prevents the cyclist from dodging an obstruction. A cool head and firm han dlebar grip will help here, and ideally, the astuteness to anticipate the squeeze and warn the driver with signs and sounding of your bell or horn.

It's also wise to ride in the middle or outer edge of your available space, rather than up against the curb, to allow your self room to swerve as need be. For extra protection, you might like to attach a short stick to your traffic-side handlebar, positioned to protrude horizontally. This will provide a deterrent to anyone driving too close, as no one wants a scratch on their paintwork.

4. Vehicles turning across your path

If you're a driver as well as a cyclist, you'll know how difficult it is to spot a cyclist on your passenger side. You'll also appreciate how important it is to signal well ahead of turning across them, and to check their location again as you turn, just in case they've failed to realize you're turning. But not all drivers are so vigilant or considerate, and accidents can all too easily arise this way. With this in mind. be sure to make your presence known to adjacent drivers at junctions, ideally making eye contact, and check their turn ing indicators, too.

When you're ready and alert for these common hazards, you can cycle safely to your destination. What's more, you'll have the due confidence to relax and enjoy the ride.

Finally, if you were involved in a bike accident., know your rights. Ask the Lawyer. Call 855-768-8845.l

Speeding ruins lives.

Brian Figeroux, Esq.