Febrero | February 2012

Don’t deny us the possible and we won’t
expect the impossible
by | Luceo Non Uro

  Lately I've heard and read about various pros and cons regarding immigration reform. While pro-Hispanic groups demand all or nothing, and the Spanish right-wing radical groups and many Americans are calling for total expulsion.
  I've noticed that not all immigrants want to stay permanently in this country, especially Mexicans and Central Americans who have deep roots in their communities of origin and are able to travel with ease given the proximity of their countries to the U. S.
  If we analyze this situation with a true desire to solve the problem we might consider four options:
1A 3 year work visa that is renewable, with permission to leave the country only during work vacations, according to what the employer permits.
2A 5 year non-renewable work visa without permission to leave the country as long as the work visa is in effect.
3A temporary or seasonal work visa for agricultural workers only during the respective harvest seasons. Once the harvest is complete one must immediately leave the country and only return the following season.
4A permanent residence visa for ten years without permission to leave the country or receive any kind of governmental economic benefit in order to obtain U.S. citizenship. During this period of residence the children of legal residents may not receive benefits regardless of status.
It should also be necessary to have at least a 60% proficiency level of English, pay all required taxes and have no outstanding debts to the judicial system.
  Perhaps to some it may seem harsh to deny benefits to their children given the fact that they were born in this country and they have rights. But then again we, as immigrants, should seize the opportunity to show that we are a community that can take care of its own children and not participate in the abuse of the system of economic benefits.
  I also understand that it’s difficult to not be able to visit family, especially if we are living here legally, but we must remember that we came to this country seeking a better life, which we could not obtain in our place of origin for whatever reason, and all this means sacrifice, our sacrifice, so that one day our grandchildren, if not our children, have a future and can contribute to the security of a strong and stable economy for this country.
  But hey, this is only a proposal (or a pipe dream) with a sincere wish that the issue of immigration is resolved in a manner beneficial to all involved and taking into account what my grandmother once told me; "you cannot eat the whole cake in one sitting." Taking this statement in terms of our nationality, we ask to not be denied what is possible, but we must not demand what is impossible.

La Isla Guide to
Online Dating
Online dating is not what it used to be. The stigmas associated with it are long gone and these days, online dating sites are becoming the norm for single people who want to make the most of their free time. Because of this trend, dating websites are popping up everywhere and with more variety than ever before.
Almost 44 percent of the U.S. adult population is single and at least 40 million of them are using on online dating service. 1 out of 5 single people report that they have dated someone they met online. That coupled with the fact that there literally thousands of dating sites to choose from creates a challenge for those who decide to sit at a keyboard instead of the bar. The key to making your online dating experience work well for you is to first understand and manage your expectations. There are many benefits to using online dating services:

Internet dating sites can save you time and money.
• You can browse profiles of a number of potential dates without having to spend time to go out, buy dinner or drinks, all from the comfort of your own home.
• Controlled conversation and minimal awkwardness
• The opportunity for intelligent and meaningful conversation is increased by not being in an awkward social situation. You may be able to get to know someone better and faster this way.
• When you do meet someone and engage in conversation to find out if there is a mutual interest you at least know that they are there for the same reason you are.

Success rates
are better than ever
If you’re looking for a serious relationship the statistics for online dating are on your side. A recent study conducted by Match.com , a leader in online dating found that 17% of couples who were married in 2010 met online. In the same year more than twice as many marriages occurred between people who met online than between those who met in bars, clubs and other social events combined.

Of course there can also be a down side to electronic courtship. If you’re new to online dating it’s more important than ever to approach it with care, common sense and reasonable expectations. There are a number of potential pitfalls:
Fraud and Criminals
There are lots of people online that are looking to swindle people, in some cases out of a lot of money. Scammers are very good at what they do and will often invest months into building a so-called relationship before they start asking for money. Over 200 thousand people worldwide have been the victims of some kind of online dating scam. However, the incidence of violent crime associated with online dating is fortunately much less common. Even so, it does happen so experts recommend users to exercise the same kind of caution they would when meeting anyone new and getting involved in a romantic relationship.
Deception
Do people lie about themselves online? According to a recent study, yes, about 81 percent of them. Misrepresentation spans the gambit from job and income to weight and age. Some people post outdated or retouched photos that conveniently omit their latest 30 or 40 pounds. Others lie about their marital status or how many children they have. The top profile lies for both men and women include age, weight, marital status and profession.
Free is not always Free
One of the biggest complaints about online dating services is the so-called “free” services that aren’t exactly free. It may cost you nothing to create your own profile and browse others but when you find someone you like, or someone else out there likes you what happens then? Suddenly you find yourself unable to communicate with or receive communication from your potential date unless you pay! Of course, this begs the question of why you joined the site to begin with. There are actually very few reputable dating sites that are completely free so you should be prepared to spend at least some money. Most sites have a monthly membership fees ranging from 9.99 to 49.99 a month.
Online dating offers a lot of positive ways to interact with others as never before. But there are risks and one must act with care, but the internet has changed almost every aspect of life for people from all over the world. Now there are dating websites that cater to almost every niche imaginable making it easier than ever for people looking for love to make the right connection. There are now sites that specialize in preferences for age, religion, race and more. Whatever site you choose to explore, be sure to use caution, manage your expectations and most of all… have fun! n
Safety Tips

Never give information such as your address, phone number, place of work etc anywhere on your profile. Do not use your real name.

Do not post pictures of your minor children on your profile and don’t give out any personal information about them.

Never agree to send anyone money, ever, for any reason. Report anyone who asks you for money and block them from your profile immediately.

Watch for red flags in your conversations online. Inconsistencies about things like children, marital status, location and family history are all reasons to become suspicious. If it doesn’t feel right cut it off and move on.

If someone behaves badly online, the chances are good that they will be worse in person. Don’t agree to meet someone if you have doubts. There are plenty of other opportunities out there.

Never agree to meet someone for the first time anywhere other than a public place, preferably near your own home and where there are other people.

Do not go out to meet someone for the first time without letting someone close to you know where you are going, with whom you are meeting and when you will return. Never go without a cell phone.
tips for success

Chose a site that best fits your needs and expectations. Some sites specialize in personality matching for those looking for long-term relationships. Other sites specialize in compatibility based on age, religion, ethnicity and/or language.

Make sure you have at least one picture on your profile. Profiles without pictures don’t usually attract much attention. Use a flattering but tasteful and recent photos.

Give a detailed description of your interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes. It is just as important to describe what you like, as well as what you dislike, so you attract someone with similar interests.

Keep your profile updated and make periodic changes to your interests, description etc. Changing your profile will attract different users.

Keep your communication with others respectful and intelligent. Never use profanity or sexual references- this is a turnoff. When corresponding by email, be cautious and private, but also be polite.

Be positive and fun. The most important part when meeting new people is to relax and have fun. A sense of humor online is just as important as offline.

Beaufort Regional Chamber Supports Hispanic Special
Interest Group

The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with chamber members, Mission Resource Group, La Isla Magazine, USCB and NETOPS is excited to announce a newly formed special interest group for Hispanic Business in the Lowcountry! This business special interest group will be dedicated to helping small and medium sized businesses in the Lowcountry grow their business by reaching and building new clientele through cultural awareness and marketing. The group is focused on a two-fold agenda designed to strengthen our overall business community by:
1.Providing education programs to Latino business owners, potential business owners and entrepreneurs to help them better understand and navigate the local business culture, regulations, licensing requirements and marketing strategies in order to strengthen their overall operations.
2. Providing education programs to Non-Latino business owners, potential business owners and entrepreneurs to help them better understand how to reach to and build their Hispanic customer base by learning cultural positioning and marketing skills as well as how to build strong relationships with this community.
The group will also conduct activities to create collaborative working relationships between main stream and Hispanic companies through networking opportunities, business intercambios (mixers) and peer coaching referrals.
Chamber membership is not required to attend and there is no charge to join the group. Class schedules and business intercambios will be announced in the coming weeks.

Visit www.laislamagazine.com for additional details or call La Isla Magazine at 843-681-2393 for information.

Playing with sex A deadly game

It is a subject that can be uncomfortable to talk about due to various social, religious and cultural influences, but it is a subject that must be discussed because it has become a very real problem that is affecting a very real group of people. AIDS and its early indicator, HIV, are infections that plague all corners of the earth, yet no one seems to acknowledge the fact that it is here, and is affecting people you know. But it can be prevented and there are safe resources and services that can help you better understand the risks and learn ways to protect yourself.
The HIV epidemic is a serious threat to the Hispanic community, as Latinos are disproportionately affected not only by HIV/AIDS, but also sexually transmitted diseases in general and unintended pregnancy. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that “at some point in life, 1 in 36 Latino men will be diagnosed with HIV, as will 1 in 106 Latina women.” The report continues that, “in 2007, HIV was the fourth leading cause of death among Latinos aged 35–44 and the sixth leading cause of death among Latinos aged 25–34 in the US.” Statistics from 2009 show a similar trend, with Latino men accounting for 79% (7,400) of new infections among all Latinos, a rate that was two and a half times as high as that of white men (39.9/100,000 vs. 15.9/100,000).
Mark Gray, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for Lowcountry AIDS Services says that he has seen an increase in the number of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in Hispanic men, and attributes this acceleration to the culture and environment in which they live and work. “You have large groups of men working and living together in close contact, and you have organized prostitution rings offering their services to these groups, following the East coast circuit of migrant workers and immigration patterns.” 49% of the men screened for HIV report having an issue that is eventually diagnosed as an STI, typically herpes or genital warts, but most do not know when, where or how they contracted their infection. These STI’s are then passed unknowingly to women, who then have an increased risk of transferring the infection to an unborn child, which is contributing to an increased mortality rate in newborns. The high rate of STI’s among Latinos could be one contributing factor to the increasing numbers in HIV cases, as the presence of certain STI’s can make one more susceptible to an HIV infection
Organizations like Mark’s are working to bring information directly to the Latino community, hosting annual Hispanic health fairs and setting up health villages on farms throughout the Lowcountry, providing confidential HIV and STI testing for workers, as well as other health screenings such as diabetes testing, general physical exams and prenatal care. Lowcountry AIDS Services is a member of the South Carolina Hispanic Latino Coalition, which is a part of USC's Arnold School of Public Health, and collaborates with both health and community related organizations working to improve the well-being of the Hispanic community. Through collaboration with health care providers, agencies, and community leaders, they aim to improve cultural competency practices within the U.S. health care systems, and open communication within the Hispanic community, spreading education and awareness throughout the Southeast.
There remains, however, a general stigma regarding the talk of sex and transmitted infections which leads many immigrants to fear that their personal information could somehow be used against them. “We need leadership within the Hispanic community, a liaison to help spearhead the discussion, to help them understand that there are options, there is help. We offer education, and this is the key.” The spread of infection is entirely preventable but depends on the individual to take action to protect him or herself, and in turn, their community. “A healthy community is a productive community, and that is what we must strive for.” Discussion of safe sex practices must be open within families and between partners. Education is the first step to eradicating the spread of disease. There are bountiful resources and organizations that offer free testing, prevention and treatment services, which are safe and confidential. If you or someone you love has questions, or would like to get tested, please seek help from one of the local organizations on page 40, all of which offer services in Spanish.

Beaufort County Public Health Department
601 Wilmington Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 525-7615

Bluffton Public
Health Center
4819 Bluffton Parkway
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 757-2251

Colleton County Public Health Department
219 S. Lemacks Street
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 549-1516

Hampton County Public Health Department
531 Carolina Avenue West
Varnville, SC 29924
(803) 943-3878

Jasper County Public Health Department
359 E. Wilson Street
Ridgeland, SC 29936
(843) 726-7788

Region 8
Administrative Office
1407 King Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 525-7627

The ACCESS Network
Beaufort & Jasper Offices
5710 North Okatie Highway,Suite B Ridgeland, SC 29936 (p) 843-379-5600 (f) 843-379-5601

Colleton & Hampton Services 109 1st Street East, PO Box 132 Hampton, SC 29924 (p) 803-943-0554 (f) 803-943-0664

Proposed
changes to
3 and 10 year bar
for undocumented immigrants
A recent announcement by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) addresses the 3 and 10 year waiting period required for undocumented immigrants who wish to apply for a U.S. visa.
Under current law, individuals who have lived in the U.S. for more than six months and less than one year without legal status must leave the U.S. for three years before they can apply for a visa. Those who have lived in the U.S. out of status for more than one year must leave for ten years before applying for a visa. Undocumented immigrants who can prove that the waiting period would cause significant hardship to a U.S. citizen spouse or parent may apply for a waiver from USCIS, but the immigrant must leave the country and apply for the waiver at the Consulate in their country of origin.
On January 6, 2012, the USCIS announced a new proposal to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for the hardship waiver without leaving the United States. This plan, if it becomes a final rule, could minimize the separation of families engaged in the immigration process.
It is important to keep a few things in mind regarding the USCIS announcement. First, it is just a proposal. Before any official change in policy arises, the USCIS must publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register, allow for a period of public comment on the proposal, make any necessary revisions to the proposal, and then publish a Final Rule, allowing additional time for the Rule’s implementation. The USCIS currently anticipates that the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will come out sometime this spring. Therefore, it will be several months or longer before any official change in policy, and no impacted person should apply for a hardship waiver from within the U.S. until a final rule is implemented.
Second, the proposal would not change the requirements for obtaining a visa, or the standards for obtaining a hardship waiver. It would simply mean that an undocumented immigrant would be allowed to apply for a provisional hardship waiver before leaving the country to apply for a visa. To qualify for the provisional waiver, the applicant would still need to prove that the 3 or 10 year waiting period would cause extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen spouse or parent.
Finally, the proposed policy would not apply to waivers for other discretionary barriers to legal immigration, such as certain criminal offenses, public health concerns, immigration fraud, failure to possess proper documents, etc. Undocumented immigrants would still need to leave the U.S. in order to apply for waivers on those restrictions, even if they were also applying for a hardship waiver.
U.S. immigration laws are challenging, and anyone facing the challenge is encouraged to seek the assistance of an immigration attorney.

For more information on the USCIS proposal, or for advice on any other citizenship or immigration question, please contact the author of this article, Mogil Law Firm at 843-785-8110 or visit our website at www.mogillaw.com.
TPS Extended for Salvadorian Nationals
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of El Salvador for an additional 18 months, beginning March 10, 2012, and ending Sept. 9,2013.
The18-month extension also allows TPS re-registrants to apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Eligible Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries who re-register on time will receive a new EAD with an expiration date of Sept. 9, 2013.
Applicants seeking information about the status of their individual cases can check My Case Status Online, or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833). For more information visit www.uscis.gov/tps

New Resource for immigrants who need a legal help
The Immigration Advocates Network (IAN) is excited to announce the launch of ImmigrationLawHelp.org (www.immigrationlawhelp.org), anew website to help low-income immigrants find free or low-cost legal help. The website provides information about more than 900 nonprofit immigration legal services providers in all 50 states.

Lights, Camera, Action at the Film Festival!
Come celebrate the arts with Beaufort’s Annual Film Festival. The Beaufort Film Festival works very hard to enrich our community by fostering and developing appreciation for the art of filmmaking.
In 2007 the Beaufort Regional Film Commission presented the inaugural Beaufort Film Festival. The purpose of the festival is to recognize aspiring filmmakers of almost every genre to include independent film, music, animation, short and long features, documentaries, and screenwriting.
The 6th annual festival will take place February 15 – 19 at their new venue, the University of South Carolina, Beaufort, Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St., Beaufort, SC 29902.  They received entries from 25 countries and have confirmations from 30 filmmakers who plan to attend the festival.  For complete details about the festival, please visit www.beaufortfilmfestival.com. There you will find a complete schedule of events, film screening times, synopsis of each film and, in many cases, a trailer for the film as well.
Latino Filmmaker’s movie depicting the underworld
of immigrant life in L.A will be the feature film!!
This year only three full-length features made the official selection cut and one of them was made by an incredible young Hispanic filmmaker Felix Martiz. The great thing is, he's coming to Beaufort from LA for the screening of his film (its debut showing in the entire South) and is rumored to be the leading contender for Best Film and Best Director. This film was the crowd favorite at the Oaxaca International Film Festival in Mexico this past November. His film “Santiago” tells the story of two very different immigrants trying to make it in L.A. It's gritty, honest and so original that it creates huge buzz and great discussions wherever it plays.
Want to go? “Santiago” screens in Beaufort on Thursday, February 16th at 4pm. For more info about this film: www.santiagothemovie.com

Schedule of Events
25 independent films and 6 screenplays have been chosen
from nearly 200 entries world wide
Film Screenings@ University of South Carolina, Beaufort, Center for the Arts

Individual films $5.00 each or for all 25 films purchase the Unlimited Film Pass $75
Thu/Fri Daily Film Pass $30 each day, Sat Daily Film Pass $20
All Events Pass $125 (BFS Members $100)

Purchase online @ www.beaufortfilmfestival.com , or pay at the door or,
At Beaufort Film Society Office, 708 Carteret St., Beaufort, SC
At Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, 715 Craven St. Beaufort, SC
Screening schedule: www.beaufortfilmfestival.com/schedule
Details about films: www.beaufortfilmfestival.com/entries

All Screenings for The Beaufort International Film Festival will be held @
University of South Carolina, Beaufort, Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St., Beaufort, SC 29902

Humans for Sale: An Inhuman Business

by | Craig Dobson

As an immigration lawyer in the Lowcountry, I have seen many instances of immigrants who have been mistreated in one form or another. The immigration debate has become so emotional that
logic and reason are often cast aside. My fear is that with so much anger—and sometimes hatred—victims of immigrant human trafficking will either be overlooked or afraid to ask for help. Further, those who are not distracted by the ongoing debate might not be able to identify human trafficking in the first place or even know what it is.
Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purpose of commercial sex exploitation, forced labor, or domestic servitude. Quite simply it is modern-day slavery that occurs in the United States and throughout the world. It is one of the most lucrative businesses for organized crime. The supply of victims is endless and it is difficult to stop.
The Lowcountry Coalition Against Human Trafficking (“LCAHT”) was founded to seek out human trafficking in our area and eradicate it. Human trafficking is likely in our area due to following indicators:

1. A major interstate runs through
the area
2. Hilton Head and Charleston are key tourist destinations
3. There is a large immigrant population in the Lowcountry

Even one of these factors is cause for concern, but our area has all three.

With this in mind, it is important to know how to identify victims. After reading this article, you might discover that you or someone you know is a victim. Victims are likely to be young and working in a service industry job such as a restaurant, hotel, nail salon, or bar. They might appear to be under the control of somebody who insists on speaking on their behalf or closely monitoring them. Victims are often trans-ported to and from work and may have bruises or seem overly submissive. Immigrants are particularly vulnerable, but many U.S. citizens are victims as well. A key issue is whether or not an individual is free to leave and do as he or she pleases at the end of the work day. For example, several young women are shopping for toiletries and other necessities at a local discount store at 2 am. They appear to be nervous or hurried and it appears that someone is watching them from nearby. Perhaps they are all wearing the same work uniforms. While this may be completely innocuous, it might warrant a closer look.
Many victims of human trafficking are afraid to ask for help, and this can be especially frightening for immigrants. Immigrant victims of human trafficking should be aware that current federal law and policy provides certain safeguards such as U status/visas (for victims of certain crimes) and T status/visas (for human trafficking victims specifically). Further, the current policy of the Obama administration in many instances requires due consideration of the fact that someone is a victim of a serious crime, including human trafficking. n

If you believe that you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the Human Trafficking Resource Center at (888) 373-7888.
As a board member of LCAHT,
I welcome your support and
invite you to
visit our Facebook page or
contact us at
lcaht1@gmail.com

The U.S. Election Process
in Plain English/Spanish

In the U.S., most of our elected officials are from two large parties, Democrats or Republicans, from what are called 'Third Parties' such as Independents or Libertarians. There are lots of Third Parties.
Usually more than one member of a party wants be president, and each has his or her own vision for the country. But, only one candidate from each party can run in the final election. That's why we have primaries and caucuses. If a President finishing his first term is running for re-election, such as Barack Obama, usually no one in his party will run against him and he will become his party's nominee.
Primaries and Caucuses
Between late January and early June during an election year, a few states hold caucuses, but most states choose their candidate using primary elections. In these primaries and caucuses, delegates are chosen to represent candidates at the national conventions in the summer.
Each state gets a certain number of delegates depending on how many people live there. The delegates go to the convention and whichever candidate gets more than 50% of the delegates becomes the party nominee. After the primaries and caucuses, the major parties hold conventions to officially nominate the candidate who won the most delegates. If only the President runs for his party's nomination, they re-nominate the President.
The General Election and the Electoral College
Now, that each party has a potential President and Vice President, also called the party’s ticket, the general election process begins. Candidates spend weeks campaigning throughout the country in an attempt to win the support of voters. Even though a voter may belong to a particular party, he or she may vote for candidates from any party.
Finally on November 4th, the people vote for one, and only one, ticket. But... and this is a BIG 'but'... when a person casts a vote in the general election, they're not really voting directly for an individual ticket. They're voting for something called Electors, and whichever ticket gets the most votes in a state then gets that state's electors who are in turn supposed to vote for the ticket.
These electors are part of something called the Electoral College. Each state has a number of electors equal to the number of its Senators (always 2) plus the number of its Representatives (determined by the state's population), for a total college of 538 electors. The first candidate to win more than half the electoral votes (at least 270) becomes President!

My College Success story

by Maria Del Mar Tovar

Luis Gamarra arrived to the United States with his mother in the summer of 1994. Luis’ father, who had left Peru two years prior, awaited him and his mother. Like thousands of immigrants, Luis’ parents came here in search of better economic and educational opportunities. Luis currently attends The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina "My parent’s main goal in coming to this country was to offer me a better life.”
Luis grew up in Annandale, Virginia. His first two years of high school were very difficult because his school had an ongoing violence problem caused by gangs. "Most of my Hispanic friends were easily influenced by gangs and some ended up being part of them. The most difficult time for me was the day my friend was shot to death several times outside his home by a gang member and all because they mistook him for someone else. My friend did not even make it to his 14th birthday."
This tragic experience made Luis realize he needed a change. He decided to join the marching band at school; this helped him stay out of trouble. Luis quickly moved up the ranks, eventually taking a leadership role in the band. This was an important step that would eventually lead Luis to the prestigious Regimental Band and Pipes of The Citadel. He began preparing for college his sophomore year, devoting himself to academics and extracurricular activities. Each semester, Luis made it a goal to obtain at least a 3.0 GPA. He also volunteered in homeless shelters and nursing homes. Luis wanted his college application to stand out from the rest and his grades, extracurricular activities, and community service were essential. Graduating high school with accumulative G.P.A of 3.5 he became the first person in his family to attend college, and this was part of his motivation."My parents could not finish school; I have been a witness to how hard they’ve had to work. I know that without education, I will not be able to achieve my goals. " Luis wants his family in Peru to be proud of his achievements and success. "I need to be an example for my family, especially for younger relatives."
In choosing a college, Luis seriously considered his skill set and therefor opted to attend The Citadel where he felt he could be more focused and better prepared for his ultimate dream of a military career. Luis’ advice for young Latinos wishing to pursue a career is to maintain the highest G.P.A possible, practice good study habits and think long term.
"Decide where you want to be in 10 years and then set goals that will lead up to your dream.” After he graduates and commissions in the United States Army Luis plans to serve for 20 years. He wants to contribute to the Hispanic community by teaching young Latinos about the benefits and importance of a good education.
 “Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.”
-Orson Swett Marden