Take a look at our newsletter this month!
FEB 2018
THE MONTHLY ADVOCATE
678.934.4958 www.barriosvirguezlaw.com
outside of school. Eventually, we realized our feelings ran deeper than friendship. I guess opposites do attract, because our friendship turned into dating, and we made our way through law school together. You quickly learn that if you can make it through law school and the bar with someone, you can make it through anything in life together. We learned how to work under a lot of stress and pressure in school. It’s intense. It was like training for opening up our firm. On New Year’s Day in 2014, one year and two months after we’d started dating, Jorge asked me to go to the botanical gardens with him. I’d been wanting to go, because I’d heard it was beautiful that time of year. That morning, though, I was tired, and I didn’t want to go. We’d stayed up really late the night before for New Year’s Eve, and I woke up late, still feeling sleepy. Jorge suggested that we could go to the square in Lawrenceville and walk around and possibly meet my sister there. I agreed that sounded better, but I really had no clue what Jorge had planned for our day. At the square, we walked around for a while, and Jorge guided me to the courthouse. It was a beautiful morning, and Jorge said, “I have a question I want to ask you, but I want you to turn around first.” (I was so lost, and I still didn’t get it at that point.) I turned around. Standing there was all our family, holding up signs that said “Will you marry me?” Of course, I said yes! That’s how we got engaged, and we got married eight months later in Ashton Gardens. We feel so blessed that we get to be the best versions of ourselves with each other, blessed that we get to spend our lives with someone who shares the same values. We were best friends before we started dating, and now we are partners, in every sense of the word.
THE PATH TO OUR PARTNERSHIP
As many of you know, in addition to working together, Jorge and I are married. Some people wonder how that can work, but for us, it does — it’s even strengthened our marriage. We share many of the same values, and we get to work on practicing those values every day together. We’ve been a team since meeting in law school. Despite going to the same middle school, having similar friend groups, and graduating from the same high school, Jorge and I didn’t meet until our second year of law school. We met thanks to my good friend. When she learned we were in law school together, she told him, “My best friend is in class with you,” and that led Jorge to talk to me. Jorge is very serious, and in the beginning, I was intimidated by him. We’re both opposite of the type of people we thought we’d end up with. Up to that point, the guys I’d dated were loud and outgoing. Jorge had only dated quiet girls, and I am not quiet. He probably thought I was crazy since I’m so outgoing and always speaking my mind.
We look forward to growing as a team this year, both in our marriage and in our law practice.
Have a happy Valentine’s Day, and enjoy the rest of the newsletter!
–Keren Barrios
1 678.934.4958
If you speak a second language, you have the unique ability to set your child up for a lifetime of advantages. Not only does a second language benefit your child in adulthood, but learning another language also strengthens multiple parts of their developing brain, according to Michigan State University. You may not want to overload your kids with two lexicons, but this is really not the case. Children quickly adapt to dual languages. The brain is a muscle, and like any other muscle in our body, the more it’s exercised, the stronger it becomes. HOW YOUNG MINDS ABSORB A 2ND LANGUAGE And the Benefits of Learning Early
With all the research floating around about how beneficial it is to teach your child a second language, you might wonder why youngsters pick up languages so easily. According to NBC News, the answer lies in their flexible minds. Children’s brains develop in response to external stimulants. Did you know that babies are born with the ability to distinguish the sounds of all languages? As they get older, even before their first birthday, they lose that ability.
Bryan is our paralegal at Barrios & Virgüez, and his compassion and skills make him a valuable member of our team. After a friend from church suggested that Barrios & Virgüez would be a good fit for him, Bryan began his journey here, and we consider ourselves lucky to have him. While much of his time is devoted to the firm, Bryan also studies at Georgia State University and finds time to learn outside of work and class. “I like to set projects for myself,” Bryan explains. “Whatever I’m interested in, I’ll study that until I’m fluent in it and confident in my expertise. Drawing, composing music — I dive in.” He was interested in computers, so Bryan did his research, saved up, and built his own. “At the moment, I’m trying to get into programming,” he says. “Since it’s not something I know a lot about, it will take some time. I’m not an expert or anything; I’m just interested and like to learn.” If it’s not already obvious, Bryan’s passion and drive make him an excellent fit for our firm. From watching his parents get their residency (his mom is from Mexico and his dad is from Guatemala) to observing the challenges others in our immigrant community experience, Bryan has always had an interest in law and strives to help our clients find resolution to their often scary situations. When asked about his favorite part of the job, Bryan says, “It might sound bad, but my favorite part of a case is the end of it. That’s when we see our client finally get their green card, petition approved, or case settled in their favor. It’s seeing everything they’ve worked for — that we’ve been fighting for on their behalf — resolved, and they don’t have to be terrified anymore. They no longer have to live in fear. Seeing them find that resolution is the best part.” BRYAN’S JOURNEY
Kids are able to take in sounds, intonation, and language structure more easily than adults who have to painstakingly memorize verb structures and grammar. Children under 8 are especially primed to pick up a new language thanks to flexible ear and speech muscles. As they take in new words, it increases their ability to focus on one thing or change their responses, a skill called cognitive flexibility. The more you can expose your little one to different sounds in their first year, the more they’ll pick up those sounds as their brain creates new neural circuits. If you speak a second language and have a child at home, now is a great time to share it with them. Your child is especially ready to pick up new sounds and words, with the added benefit of learning their heritage. If you’re ready to teach your child a second language, here are a few ways to incorporate new words. 1. Take time to talk with your child in a second language during playtime. Research shows babies need personal interaction to learn, so switching on the TV in another language won’t suffice. 2. Increase vocabulary by giving options in a second language. Try questions like “Do you want juice or milk?” or “Do you want to play on the swings or by the tree?” 3. Find a language exchange group or bilingual daycare to increase your child’s exposure to a second language. If you don’t know a second language but want to give your child a head start, you can begin by learning new words together. How fun would it be if you become bilingual as a family?
www.barriosvirguezlaw.com 2
DELAYS WITH DACA AND TPS TERMINATION
With all the new changes under the Trump administration, you might find it hard to keep up. We’ll help you stay informed about what’s happening in the world of immigration. Two new changes to be aware of are in regard to temporary protected status (TPS) designations and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). As of Jan. 8, 2018, TPS designation has ended for El Salvador, with the termination to take full effect in September 2019. That means El Salvadorans who are under TPS must gain legal status to remain in the U.S. or be forced to return to El Salvador. TPS is given to countries when it is not safe for citizens to return. Since being devastated by earthquakes in 2001, El Salvador has received TPS designation from the U.S. Although temporary, TPS can be renewed every 18 months, and it’s been renewed for El Salvadorans for the last 17 years until the Trump administration terminated it on Jan. 8. An estimated 200,000 people will be affected. The cancellation to TPS designation for El Salvadorans comes after cancellations for Nicaraguans and Haitians, and it continues the pattern of harsher immigration policy under the Trump administration. People who have been in the U.S. for many years under TPS are left with uncertainty. “I’m Salvadorian, but I feel American,” says Jose Salinas, an El Salvadoran living in the U.S. under protected status.
As for DACA, a California judge has ruled that the administration must continue processing DACA renewals, despite the act being rescinded by Trump in the fall of 2017. This may provide some relief, but the fate of Dreamers remains up in the air as we wait for Congress to come up with a more permanent solution. If you or a loved one face uncertainty as these changes are announced, talk to our attorneys at Barrios & Virgüez. All of us have gone through the immigration process ourselves or have family members who have, so we understand the challenges you are facing. We are available to answer your questions in both Spanish and English. We also have a video in Spanish on our Facebook Live page talking more about TPS.
We are here for you. TRIVIA T IA HOW OFTEN DOES FEBRUARY HAVE 29 DAYS? WHICH ANIMAL PREDICTS THE WEATHER ON FEBRUARY 2ND?
HAVE A LAUGH
a.
Every 4 years
a.
Squirrel
b.
Every 10 years
b.
Cow
c.
Every other year
c.
Eagle
d.
Always
d.
Groundhog
WHAT IS THE BIRTHSTONE OF FEBRUARY?
FEBRUARY GETS ITS NAME FROM THE WORD FEBRUA. WHAT LANGUAGE DOES THIS WORD COME FROM?
a.
Sapphire
a.
Sanskrit
b.
Emerald
b.
Greek
c.
Amethyst
c.
Latin
d.
Ruby
d.
French
3 678.934.4958
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
678.934.4958 www.barriosvirguezlaw.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE
4799 Sugarloaf Pkwy. Suite K. Lawrenceville, GA 30044
1 2
How I Met Jorge
The Brain on 2 Languages
Meet Our Awesome Paralegal, Bryan
3
The State of Immigration
Trivia
4
3 Holistic Remedies Hiding in Your Kitchen
NEED A LITTLE SPICE IN YOUR LIFE?
Spices and herbs add much more than flavor and aroma to your favorite beverages and treats. They also offer many health benefits. When properly utilized, these spice rack staples can ease a variety of symptoms. Ready to find your new holistic health kick? Read on.
recommended you purchase whole nutmeg seed, found in most specialty food stores. You can incorporate nutmeg into your diet by taking it as a supplement in capsule form or simply sprinkling it into your next chai tea. Your achy joints will thank you. GINGER This root is an essential natural anti-inflammatory. It can help ease an upset stomach and finally tame your nausea. You can safely eat it raw, candied, as a supplement, in tea, or in baked goods. Ginger is most effective when it’s ingested raw or in capsule form. If you have morning sickness, raw ginger might do the trick. Just ask the people of ancient China. Like many spices, ginger’s use as a supplement goes back centuries. Southeast Asian countries used it to ease their own common ailments. Call it tried and true. PEPPERMINT You can use peppermint as an essential oil, steep the leaves for tea, or take a supplement capsule. Each form comes with its own benefits. As an essential oil, peppermint is great for treating colds. It’s a mild decongestant, and it helps with coughs and stuffed-up noses. It also soothes sore throats and headaches. Rub one or two drops under your nose, on your temples, or over your sinuses and feel the relief wash over you. Even further, a study published by The BMJ found that when administered as a capsule, peppermint helped reduce the symptoms of IBS in a majority of patients.
NUTMEG This spice, known for its earthy, nutty flavor, has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Want to calm nagging pain? This spice has been used to treat joint pain and arthritis. It can even be used to remedy bad breath. Nutmeg is most potent when it’s freshly grated, so it’s
www.barriosvirguezlaw.com 4
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs