>> buenos d^as y bienvenidos. good morning and welcome once again to "tiempo." i'm joe torres. new york city is stepping up its efforts to help undocumented immigrants who are victims of crimes -- help in the form of special visas. we'll talk to the commissioners behind this push and the specific requirements needed to qualify for those visas. that's coming up a little bit later in the show. right now, however, a topic that we have discussed quite extensively here on "tiempo" -- the financial crisis in puerto rico. senate democrats, led by robert menendez of new jersey, recently put out their version of a plan to tackle the island's growing debt crisis. it calls for the creation of a financial stability and reform board to provide much needed

among other things, all aimed at getting the u.s. territory out of its $72 billion in debt. what an honor for us this morning here on "tiempo" to have via satellite new jersey senator bob menendez, the main sponsor of the legislation. he's in washington, d.c. good to see you this morning, senator. thanks for being with us. >> good to be with you, joe, and your viewers of "tiempo." >> let me jump right into it, to cover here. senator, if i can summarize it correctly, i know that there's a $400-million payment that puerto rico has to pay on may 1st, and then another big one in july. this stability and recovery package wants to provide puerto rican government with a wide restructuring authority, correct, that allows for the readjustment of all its debt. senator, from my vantage point, it looks like bankruptcy, it sounds like bankruptcy, but it's not? >> well, it's not quite bankruptcy because restructuring

law, a actual part of the law that puerto rico was part of and years ago was stripped out. no one knows why. i try to look at the legislative history. so it had the right to restructure its debt, and it is the essential element of any package for puerto rico to be able to have a future of prosperity to start off with restructuring the $72 billion, and that's what we allow to do under the legislation. >> now, this nine-member financial stability and reform board would have a chief financial officer aimed at providing technical assistance to this restructuring. does the board allow puerto rico to maintain its, if you will, governmental independence? >> it does in this regard. first of all, the appointees for the board overwhelmingly will be puerto rican. the governor will appoint, the two parties of the puerto rican legislature

of puerto rico will appoint, and the president of the united states will get appointments, as well. but the majority of that board will be puerto rican, but what we require is individuals who have a financial experience so that they can come together, review the plan that the governor has to submit to the board, have the board's approval -- if they approve of it. they could reject it, in which case it has to go back to the drawing board, and then go to the puerto rican congress for its ultimate vote, and then ultimately move forward. so we create a system that ultimately provides transparency, which is much needed, provides fiscal oversight in terms of giving an approval to the plan to get out of the type of economic circumstances that the government of puerto rico has faced over, now accumulated well over a decade, but at the end of the day, it maintains, in essence, the element of sovereignty for the puerto rican people. >> senator, i can almost hear the resistance now -- not just

get to in a second, but perhaps, also, from investors who will, in fact, probably argue that you're changing the rules here midstream regarding restructuring, that years ago when they threw their money into puerto rico's bonds, restructuring was impossible. now you want to say, "wait. it is possible." my question is, is that fair? >> well, if we don't allow puerto rico to restructure its debt and prioritize it, then no one is going to get much money, if anything. as you mentioned, joe, puerto rico's on the verge of not being able to pay its next set of payments, and so no one's going to get anything, and what we're going to have is a rush to court and years of litigation that will provide very little money either for bondholders or pensioners or the very future of the 3 1/2 million united states citizens who live in puerto rico. so, i believe that there are other times in our history in which we have permitted

those who made investments did so understanding that there's always a possibility for a law to change, and so, therefore, as far as i'm concerned, this is the very essence of a survival for puerto rico, as well as for bondholders being able to get any money, 'cause otherwise there is no money. >> speaking of those 3 1/2 million residents on the island, senator, the economists have long wanted to extend the earned income tax credit to those residents, a benefit that they do not enjoy on the island, but they would enjoy if they were on the mainland. does your plan address that? >> it does. we want to reward work. we want people to enter into the formal economy. to do that, the earned income tax credit has been heralded by both republicans and democrats alike here in congress as probably the single biggest tax provision to incentivize work. we think the 3 1/2 million american citizens in puerto rico deserve the same

we believe that they also deserve access to the child tax credit to help them raise their families in puerto rico. we also believe that the healthcare system in puerto rico is treated unfairly in medicare and medicaid compared to those who live in the united states, and a flight to florida changes the whole dynamic for you. that shouldn't have to be the reality for puerto ricans living in puerto rico. >> all right, senator. sit tight. a few more questions for you. when we come back from this break, we'll get the senator's thoughts on bipartisan support to make his plan a reality, and also, the president's trip to the senator's ancestral homeland -- cuba -- and the presidential election, as well. also, still ahead on "tiempo," special visas for undocumented immigrant victims of crime in new york city. we'll tell you who qualifies

>> welcome back to "tiempo." senate democrats led by robert menendez of new jersey recently put out their version of a plan to tackle puerto rico's growing debt crisis, and we've been discussing the plan this morning with senator menendez, the main sponsor of that legislation. he's in washington, d.c. with us this morning. senator, time is of the essence here. we kind of illustrated that. however, do you think this is gonna get through the house? because republicans are for sure gonna put up their arms and

>> well, first of all, joe, we welcome any initiative that basically deals with what puerto rico fundamentally needs. it needs broad restructuring. anything short of that doesn't help, and then, secondly, it needs equity and growth and opportunity in how its treated as american citizens. so i'm willing to work with anyone, republicans or democrats alike, but, remember, while republicans have a majority in both houses, here in the senate, because of the rules, they will need democrats to approve any provision. so there is plenty of room for negotiation and compromise as long as the goodwill to help the people of puerto rico actually have a future is the basis of that foundation. i'm willing to adjust any of these elements as long as what is necessary for puerto rico to succeed is provided for. >> no doubt that both sides can agree that something needs to be done and something needs to be done soon. let's move on to another topic, senator. cuba -- the president about to land if he hasn't already on the island there in

let me get your thoughts on his visit, especially in the light of the fact that just this last week there were more restrictions that were loosened for people to visit the island a little bit more freely, remittances continue to pour in, there's a u.s. hotel chain, starwood, that's getting close to approval to manage on the island there. i know that your opposition is well-founded and well-based, but many would argue that the horse is out of the barn and it's time for the senator to jump on board. what's your response to that, senator? >> [ chuckles ] you know, for 24 years, joe, in the house and in the senate, sitting on the respective foreign relations committees of both houses, one of my primary advocacy has been democracy and human rights globally -- >> yes. >> ...in china, in burma, in cuba. and so the bottom line is, what we have here is the president visiting a country that is a dictatorship, that doesn't permit its people its basic human rights, it doesn't permit any elements of democracy.

women who march every sunday to church peacefully dressed in white to protest that their sons and husbands are in jail, and they're arrested and beaten savagely. 1,400 arrests have taken place already this year, and we're only through 2 1/2 months of the year. some of the people who the president got released originally when he made this deal have not been rearrested and are back in jail. so, the bottom line, unlike when the president said to burma, "before i go visit burma, i want to see your leaders who are arrested be released, i want to see elections," which took place -- flawed -- but they took place. "i want to see certain changes." there are no changes taking place in cuba as it relates to democracy and human rights. so i'm not gonna get on board in cuba, in burma, or in china, or any other place when we are willing to forgo the very essence of democracy and human rights, and the final point as to that hotel, that hotel management is going to be

regime and the military own, some of which have been confiscated of u.s. citizens. it's incredible that we will allow that and send a message that confiscated properties can now be used by another american company and facilitate the castro regime doing such things. >> we've got about 30 seconds left before we let you go, senator. the presidential election and latinos in particular -- i don't know if you've thrown your support behind a particular candidate, but if you want to make some news here on "tiempo," we're willing to hear it. anyone you want to support? >> i haven't, but i will say this, joe. we as a community are gonna be decisive in this election. four years ago from today, we have grown 17% in the number of latino voters in this country. >> we have. >> one out of every three voters in this election is going to be a minority voter, racially or ethnically, and we are in the states that are most necessary and up for grabs for the electoral vote. we can decide the course of events and who gets elected the next president of

many interests to do so -- in education, on income equality, on immigration, even on who is in the supreme court deciding these issues. >> all right, senator. always a pleasure. thank you. yes, the time for latinos to make a difference is now. >> good to be with you. >> thank you, senator. coming up next on "tiempo," new york city's commission on human rights stepping up its efforts to help undocumented immigrants in our area who are victims of crimes.

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quite some time. in the past, only the police commissioner could do those certifications, so you can some barriers. now, five different people within nypd can certify. they have clear intake forms to use to submit those certifications. they have time periods in which they have to respond, and there's even an appeals process. so the idea is to just make it that much easier, that much clearer and transparent for individuals who want to these certifications. perspective. the certification, if and when

investigative agency the opportunity to do what? to, i would assume, interview the victim of the crime and keep them around for what, perhaps, may be a trial. >> exactly. you know, it basically incentivizes cooperation so that people who have been witnesses to crime, who have been victims of crimes are incentivized to come forward and to cooperate with -- >> what's the incentive? >> well, they're able to stay while they're cooperating and provide the information. >> and they're able to stay hopes, perhaps, of moving that status to permanent legal residence, correct? >> i think that will the case for some of the folks who receive u or t visas. that certainly won't be the case for everyone. and i think one thing, perhaps, just to clarify, is that, you know, the city commission on human rights, as the other, you know, nypd and other city agencies, we certify for a u visa, which is one step in the process of actually applying for a u visa. ultimately, the power to issue a visa comes from the

it comes squarely from the u.s.c.i.s. >> okay. >> so u visa certification is just a step in that process. >> in the process. all right. many more questions. sit tight. don't move. more on the special visas for undocumented immigrants, who are crime victims. it's really important. look at this sweet face. so sweet. ok, we're going to need a napkin gooey, flaky, happy. toaster strudel. i would kill for something sweet. wanna split that? no...soooo much fat... don't fight your instincts. with 150 calories each, try our new rich & creamy cheesecakes.

the investigation.

here with us this morning, what a pleasure to have two commissioners -- commissioner carmelyn malalis from the new york city commission on human rights, and commissioner nisha agarwal from the mayor's city office of immigrant affairs. so you said before that you think this will be enough to perhaps incentivize people to step forward. but as you know, as you both know, as we've discussed here on "tiempo," there is a fear that many undocumented immigrants have of government, of trust, of putting my name out there. why do you think that this would be enough to have them set aside that fear and come forward? >> well, you know, stepping back for a moment, i think this also plays into you know, the idea of putting this ability in the hands of the city commission on human rights. >> okay. >> so the city commission on human rights enforces the city's very broad anti-discrimination, anti-harassment law, the new york city human rights law. the commission also, though, has a very strong public, you know, community outreach. >> outreach programs. very much so. >> and that's very much a part of what the commission does, so

constituent groups, especially a lot of the city's most vulnerable communities, and of course, when we're talking about undocumented immigrants, those are a lot of the communities that come to mind, but working with them so that they affirmatively know what their rights are. they know what resources they have at the commission and otherwise. and so, in thinking through giving this, you know, authority to the commission, there's also the idea that while folks are coming to the commission for other services, we've already established a relationship with different immigrant communities or different individuals who, in other context, might be hesitant to come forward to the government. >> i see you nodding your head, commissioner. >> yeah, absolutely. and i think if you look sort of administration-wide, right, whether it's things like the municipal id program, idnyc, whether it's the new legal services program for immigrants that we launched, actionnyc, i think under mayor de blasio's leadership, there's been a real effort to reach out to immigrant communities including the undocumented and say, "it's not only a good idea for you to step forward and take advantage of

safe in doing that." we don't share your information with others. >> one of the reasons i asked the question was because in the news release that you put out, the commission's inclusion of u and t visa certification will allow victims in new york city to come forward and receive the assistance they need. i look at that -- it begs the question to me, "well, before the visa certification, they couldn't come forward and needed?" i think the answer's yes. correct? >> that's true, but actually not at the city commission on human rights, and i think that's an important -- and i do think that there's been a significant expansion in the types of assistance that city government is providing right now. >> yes. >> and we have real examples of the ways in which that's changed people's lives, where instead of being in the shadows, they're not out of the shadows and actually able to take advantage of a lot of other benefits. >> mm-hmm. i know it's just started and it's only a few weeks old. have you had some applicants already? >> yes, we've have folks come forward and we have things in process in the application process. so we have about 10 folks who have come forward and requested certification. you know, nothing has gone through the full process yet.

ballpark time? i mean -- what's a reasonable expectation? >> so, these types of investigations will always be done on a case-by-case basis, right? there's the kind of credibility type of determinations that have to be made, there's interviews that have to be conducted. so, it will really depend from case to case. >> okay. i want to be sure that the people understand who we're talking about when we say "the victims of crime." and i've got a couple that quickly come to mind -- landlord tenants. landlords who abuse tenants. would that be one them? >> mm-hmm. >> go ahead. employer... >> particularly, when we're talking about certification at the commission, we will only certify for crimes that would arise in the context of an investigation under the human rights law. so, you know, a few examples, i think, readily come to mind. one would be, for instance, in the context of an employment discrimination or harassment case if there is, you know, serious sexual harassment, and you know, the type of sexual harassment arises to the level of rape or sexual assault. rape, sexual assault -- two crimes that would qualify someone for u visa

>> certainly, sexual harassment would also be considered, you know, a claim under the city human rights law, something like that. >> okay. >> in the context of housing, you know, let's say that a landlord is putting undue pressure on tenants to move out because they know that they're undocumented. >> mm-hmm. >> they're extorting them in doing that. extortion -- another qualifying crime for a u visa. >> what if the trial of the case lasts for longer than four years, which would be longer than the visa allows? >> mm-hmm. well, again, you know, just like any other type of visa -- >> case-by-case. >> right, visa-related issue, then those would be issues that would have to be taken up with the federal government. >> okay. what an education. thank you both. >> thank you. >> thanks for having us. >> i mean, we could talk about this the whole show. and there's a lot out there to chew on, but again, congrats to new york city for a being a pioneer yet again in this very important area. >> thank you so much. >> and i can just one other thing? >> real quick. >> you know, if folks think that they are, you know, eligible for a u or t visa, they should call,

violation, they should call 311 and ask for the human rights commission. if they think they're the victim of a crime, they could always call. >> okay. 311. ladies, thank you very much. >> great. thank you. >> thank you. thanks for spending part of your sunday with us. if you missed any part of our show, don't worry. you can watch at abc7ny on the web, on your tablet, or even on your smartphone. i'm joe torres.

"tiempo." >> "here and now," the program featuring the news and interests of the african-american community. here's your host, sandra bookman. coming up, a look at the race for the white house and the rise in chaos and violence at trump rallies. also to come, in celebration of women's history month, a conversation with the leading voice on black culture and here. plus -- the new book "church ladies: the untold stories of harlem women in the powell era." and later, we'll talk to the women starring as the church ladies in the revival of the hit broadway musical "the color purple."