The Immigrant’s JournalVol. 136 Our leaders who stood for Unity & Justice Protecting God’s Children From Distant Lands www.ijlef.org April 22, 2021 FREE 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY 11242 Tel: 718-243-9431 Fax: 718-222-3153 Email: immjournal @aol.com Congresswoman Getting Your Marijuana Calls for TPS Record Expunged Designation for St Vincent BY NORMA LEWIS, JD here was quite a bit of excitement, relief, and joy, and a few spiffs Tsmoked when New York legalized recreational marijuana. Several advo- cates and lawmakers welcomed it as one of the most progressive cannabis laws in the country. That's in part because it auto- matically clears the criminal records of people with certain marijuana-related offenses. "For generations, too many New Yorkers have been unfairly penalized for Congresswoman Clarke. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com the use and sale of adult-use cannabis, ep. Yvette D. Clarke, Chair of the continued on page 2 Congressional Caribbean Caucus, Rreleased the following statement 5 Signs You Might Have a Narcissistic Partner....20 regarding the emergent environmental crisis in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “The volcanic devastation of St Vincent and the Grenadines requires an urgent How Immigrant Communities Determine humanitarian response from our US gov- ernment, and the anemic response of our the Next NYC Mayoral Winner State Department and affiliate USAID causes me great concern. Hundreds of A report on the past and present role of immigrants in determining who wins the mayoral election thousands of people have been evacuated due to the recent volcanic eruption. Plumes of ash and gas have suffocated BY LINDA N., SPECIAL TO JOURNAL eration foreign-based population of European descent, with a large African the island, contaminating water supplies, ince 1965, most immigrants American and Puerto Rican population. spewing dense volcanic debris, called entering the U.S. live in the cities The second generation consists of chil- pyroclastic flows, have destroyed crops, Sof six states: Florida, Texas, dren of immigrants who arrived in the bringing life and the economy of this Illinois, California, New Jersey, and early 1900s, and Latinos form the island to a halt. Many of the displaced New York. These sanctuary states and largest immigrant group in the City. people are now living in less than 100 cities often play a significant role in Hernandez and Rivera-Batiz, 1997, shelters that do not have the means to determining the political image they reports that Dominicans comprise the prevent the spread of COVID-19 — an possess. They contribute to the shaping largest foreign-born Latinos in New already emergent crisis in the region — of group relations and creating new York City, followed by Puerto Ricans through social distancing measures. political lines in modern politics. and a rapidly growing Mexican com- Others have been evacuated to cruise In New York, over 3.0 million for- munity. ships and are awaiting further instruc- David Dinkins, 106th Mayor of New York City tions. However, in an official statement, eign-born people make up the popula- Editorial credit: Tim Coffey / Shutterstock.com tion. The state has the largest third-gen- continued on page 22 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended against travel on cruise ships because the chance of J&J Vaccine Suspension: What It Means For You ....9 continued on page 21 IMMIGRANTS’ CONCERNS 2 Marijuna Record Expunged/from page 1 arbitrarily arrested and jailed with harsh mandatory minimum sentences," Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said in a news release. "After years of tireless advocacy and extraordinarily hard work, that time is coming to an end in New York State." To right the wrongs of our failed drug war against the sale and recreational use of cannabis sativa, also known as "mari- juana", on March 31, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed The Marijuana Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Stop & Frisk Policy Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) played a great part in criminalizing Brown & Black men. Governor Cuomo signed the MRTA into law on March 31, Editorial credit: LEE SNIDER PHOTO IMAGES / into law. The law eliminates penalties for 2021Editorial credit: Hans Pennink / Shutterstock.com Shutterstock.com possession of less than three ounces of Class E felony and is punishable by no marijuana-related criminal conviction. the other hand, a vacated conviction can- cannabis. Provisions in the law legaliz- more than four years of imprisonment •First, with the passage of the New York not. Thus a legal immigrant previously ing the personal possession of up to three and a fine not to exceed $5,000. Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act convicted on marijuana charges should, ounces of cannabis and/or up-to 24 Possession of marijuana in excess of 16 (MRTA), there are still significant immi- if possible, seek vacatur of their previous grams of concentrates for those ages 21 ounces – 10 pounds is a class D felony gration consequences for marijuana vio- charges to protect their immigration sta- and older took immediate effect. and is punishable by no more than seven lations including in some circumstances tus. They may need to hire a lawyer to The new law also establishes proce- years of imprisonment and a fine not to deportation, being denied admission to file a 440 Motion/Application in the dures for the automatic review and exceed $5,000. Possession of marijuana the U.S., being denied permanent resi- District Attorney's office or county of the expungement of the criminal records of in excess of 10 pounds is a class C felony dency or a green card, or being denied underlying arrest. those with low-level cannabis convic- and is punishable by no more than 15 naturalization. •If you face a challenge to your legal sta- tions. Under the law, the smell of mari- years of imprisonment and a fine not to •Second, those who have already been tus due to a previous marijuana convic- juana alone is no longer probable cause exceed $15,000. convicted of possessing marijuana of up tion or are having trouble with any other for a search by law enforcement. Use of The recently passed law decriminalizes to one ounce or publicly using marijuana immigration issue, please call the attor- cannabis in public may be subject to civil marijuana in New York and allows those can seek relief to have those convictions neys at the Law Firm of Figeroux & penalties. previously convicted of certain marijua- expunged or vacated. In both cases, the Associates. They will help you through Possession of marijuana in excess of na-related crimes to seek post-conviction convictions will be effectively removed the process of vacating your previous three ounces is a Class A misdemeanor relief (PCR) from the court. While this from your criminal record. However, an charges, protecting your rights, and giv- and is punishable by no more than one has far-reaching consequences for every expunged conviction can still be the basis ing you the best chance possible at main- year of imprisonment and a fine not to New Yorker, it is crucial for non-citizens for negative immigration consequences, taining your legal residency and applying exceed $1,000. Possession of marijuana whose status can be jeopardized by a including deportation and removal. On for U.S. citizenship. l in excess of 8 ounces – 16 ounces is a Looking to make extra cash? A side hustle? We are looking for persons to sell advertisements in our newspapers. Experience in advertising sales is needed and preferably experience or a sincere interest in marketing. Interested? Send your resume to [email protected] VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.IJLEF.ORG FOR MORE IMMIGRATION NEWS & UPDATES TIME FOR ACTION 3 Democrats: Go Big, Deliver TEAM Publisher I.Q. INC. Solutions, and Blow Past the Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief Radicalizing Republicans Pearl Phillip Assistant Editor “Today’s Republican politicians are less focused on winning general elections Marilyn Silverman and more interested in surviving the Trump-led purge in contested primaries Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar that are right around the corner.” Anvar Sabirov Email BY AMERICA’S VOICE [email protected] esterday, April 14, offered a per- Visit fect contrast between the two www.ijlef.org Yparties. Democrats are focused www.falaw.us on solutions that change lives, and www.cawnyc.com Republicans are focused on pointing fin- www.workersworldtoday.com gers, stoking racism, and pulling public- ity stunts aimed at Foxlandia. Volunteering at House GOP Whip Steve Scalise’s milk THE IMMIGRANT'S JOURNAL LEGAL & carton stunt vs. VP Kamala Harris’s solu- EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC. tions for Central America. As Jen Internship positions available Bendery wrote for HuffPost, “House throughout the year. Republican leaders on Wednesday The Immigrant's Journal Legal & Educational accused Vice President Kamala Harris of Fund, Inc. is an organization dedicated to the being absent on immigration matters ― President Biden and Vice President Harris. educational and economic empowerment of all even showing up to a press conference Editorial credit: archna nautiyal / Shutterstock.com immigrants and immigrant organizations here with a milk carton with Harris’ face on it, in the United States. We at the Journal recog- declaring her ‘missing’ at the border. One Administration wants to relocate. My dressed for too long, and to effect change nize the enormous contribution of immigrants problem: At the same time, Harris was message to illegal immigrants… call me that people experience