Ismail Mohamed passes Ohio Bar Exam

Ismail Mohamed

Aspiring Ohio State House of Representatives’ legislator, Ismail Mohamed has passed the Ohio State Bar Examination as released by the Supreme Court of Ohio. 

Ismail told the New Americans magazine that, “I’m so happy passing this exam. I held my breath going through the list until I found my name.”

In an exclusive interview with the New Americans to be published in the November 2017 edition, Ismail who immigrated to the United States with the parents said, “I have never regretted going to law school. It was three years of painful and gruesome time but it was worth every bit. It is a useful education to have.”

Ismail who is also a Political Science graduate from the Ohio State University and contesting in District 25 said, “I went back to college in 2014 for a law degree. I have finished my law degree becoming first Somali-American lawyer in the State of Ohio.”

The new Attorneys' official ceremony has been fixed for November 13, 2017.

Columbus tops 1,000 votes in early voting

A total of 1,416 people have voted as at Monday, October 23, 2017 at the Franklin County Board of Elections, Columbus, Ohio early voting center and 15,653 absentee ballots have been mailed in the 2017 General Elections expected to hold on Tuesday, November 7.

A breakdown of voting made available to the New Americans shows Friday, October 20 recording the highest number of voters 201 followed by 197 vote on Monday, October 23. The lowest recorded was 129 votes on Thursday, October 12. Early voting in Columbus, Ohio started Wednesday, October 11, 2017.

The early voting which is holding at the board’s complex, 1700 Morse Road, Columbus, Ohio is opened as follow: -  

·          8:00 a.m. -5: 00 p.m. Wednesday, October 11 through Friday, October 27.

·         8:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. Monday, October 30 through Friday, November 3.

·          8:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 4.

·          1:00p.m. –5:00 p.m. Sunday, November 5.

·          8:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m. Monday, November 6.

This election cycle has two state-wide issues and one county-wide issue. 

Amendments or Referendums will take place in Grove City, Reynoldsburg, and Minerva Park.

Police levies will be on the ballot in Valleyview, Mifflin Township, and Sharon Township. 

A fire levy will take place in Jefferson Township. 

Two school levies will be on the ballot in New Albany-Plain and Upper Arlington School Districts. 

Finally, Franklin Township voters will determine if   they will adopt a limited home rule form of government.

Voters have the option of voting early by mail or in-person at the board of elections beginning Wednesday, October 11 through Monday, November 6 by 2:00 p.m.at 1700 Morse Road.

Applications for an absentee ballot can be obtained through the website at http://vote.franklincountyohio.gov or by calling the board office at 614-525-3470.

Close of registration for the November 7 General Election is at 9:00 p.m. on October 10, 2017.

Ohio Hispanic Affairs Commission urges Congress to act swiftly on DACA

The Ohio Latino Affairs Commission has passed a formal resolution urging Congress to take immediate action on matters regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, DACA.

A statement by Andrea Magaña Lewis, Public Policy Officer, said that , "to date, 4,442 applicants have been granted deferred action in the state of Ohio since the program was established. Nationally, nearly 800,000 individuals have been granted DACA status."

“The educational and professional opportunities made accessible by DACA prepare young immigrants to make extraordinary contributions in Ohio, and the termination of the program will have adverse effects on Ohio’s Latino population as well as the economy,” said Tony Ortiz, Chairman of the Commission.

According to a report published by the Center for American Progress, Ohio stands to lose more than $250 million annually in state GDP if DACA recipients are removed from the workforce.

The majority of DACA applicants were born in Latin American countries, with 75 percent of applicants hailing from Mexico. Asians comprise 4 percent of the DACA population, and individuals from the Caribbean comprise 2 percent of the total.

The Ohio Latino Affairs Commission was established in 1977 by Governor James Rhodes and is statutorily obligated to advise government on issues impacting Latinos in Ohio. The Commission is committed to bringing the concerns of the Latino community to Ohio’s governing bodies to ensure representation on important matters.

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