Senior Moments
By Audrey Larkin; Interim Senior Program Coordinator
Cara Club
Some seniors at Cara Club on Monday took advantage of the flu shots that were available to all seniors at the club. Volunteer Kevin O’Sullivan once again provided some great entertainment by showing videos of old news reports. We also enjoyed watching funny videos followed by a very entertaining sing-along.
Café Eireann
Ivy Pham of Commission on Affairs of the Elderly came to Café Eireann on Wednesday to inform the group of changes to Medicare Part D. Eileen Smith brought her usual grace and cheerfulness to the group whilst teaching very gentle chair exercises, with many being surprised by their own dexterity and thoroughly enjoying of the class.
The Musical Memories Program will take place on Tuesday, October 28 from 5:30pm to 7pm. Everyone is invited to attend and we look forward to seeing you there.
The Stomach Bug
At this time of year, bugs and viruses are lurking everywhere waiting to find a suitable home for the winter.
The stomach bug or gastroenteritis is usually caused by a virus which can be contacted due to poor hand washing or from food that was inadequately prepared. Some of the symptoms of which are diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, fever, headache, abdominal cramps and sore muscles.
Some things to do if you get the bug:
· Get plenty of sleep and rest.
· Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
· Wash hands frequently.
· Eat plain foods and avoid spicy or greasy foods.
· Do not share drinks.
· Do not prepare food for people if you are sick.
It is of upmost importance that if you live alone, you make sure someone is aware that you are unwell and can check in with you frequently. You are more than welcome to call The Irish Pastoral Centre if you need assistance. Tel: 617-265-5300.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice and you should always consult your doctor if you are feeling unwell.
Immigration News
By Kieran C. O’ Sullivan; Immigration Counselor
Old conviction bars business traveler
One of my calls this week came from a very well established business man in Ireland who was having great difficulty getting a visa to come to the U.S.
In most cases I deal with on non-immigrant visa applications, the issue to overcome is convincing U.S. consular officers that applicants have no intention of overstaying or violating the terms of their stay in the U.S. In this case, the gentleman had strong ties to Ireland, a home, a family, and a successful business. A past violation of import/export rules was the reason he was turned down. Many would view the violation as a minor offense, or an instance that many would view as white collared crime. However the Department of Homeland Security denied his application to enter the U.S. on the grounds that he had committed a crime involving moral turpitude. There are waivers available in some instances but they are very difficult to get approved. It is recommended that applicants have experienced immigration attorneys prepare and file them.
B visa category
In normal circumstances where there are no conviction issues, to meet the basic B visa requirements, the applicant should:
Ø Have made arrangements such that adequate funds are available to avoid his or her unlawful employment in the U.S.;
Ø If presenting assurances of financial support from sponsoring relatives or friends in the U.S., show compelling ties that would lend credence to the sponsor’s undertaking;
Ø Present specific and realistic plans for the entire period of the contemplated visit;
Ø Establish with reasonable certainty that departure from the U.S. will take place upon completion of the temporary visit.
Ø Not express the proposed period of stay in terms of remaining for the maximum period allowable by U.S. authorities;
Ø Demonstrate sufficient ties to home country-permanent employment, meaningful business or financial connections, close family ties, or other commitments that indicate a strong inducement to return abroad.
Ø Show adequate provision for support of any dependents while the applicant is in the U.S. if the applicant is the family’s principal wage earner.
Ø A person seeking entry on B2 status should consider having a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) relative prepare a Form I-134 to demonstrate that the U.S. citizen or LPR will provide support to the immigrant while visiting the U.S.
A B1 visa holder may be admitted to the U.S. to:
· Engage in commercial/financial transactions that do not involve his/her gainful employment in the U.S.
· Negotiate contracts
· Consult with business associates
· Litigate cases
· Participate in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences, or seminars; or
· Undertake independent research.
Applicants for B1 visas may assume that all previous entries to the U.S. could be scrutinized by U.S. authorities during the application process.
Citizenship and green card
People who have applications prepared for U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency card renewals are invited to get their applications reviewed by immigration attorneys at our next legal clinic.
November Free Legal Clinic
On the first Tuesday of every month, we hold a free legal clinic at The Banshee in Dorchester beginning at 6:30PM. Our next clinic will be on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information contained in it is provided to inform generally, and is not intended as a substitute for individual advice. Immigration law is subject to frequent changes and individual circumstances can affect the application of certain legal provisions. For individual legal advice, please contact the Irish Pastoral Centre directly regarding upcoming legal clinics or consultation with an immigration attorney.
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