Latest news with #DullesAirport
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
More white South Africans resettle in US after Trump fast-tracks ‘refugee program'
A second group of white South Africans has arrived in the United States as part of a refugee programme initiated by the Trump administration, according to officials and advocacy groups. Jaco Kleynhans, head of international liaison at the Solidarity Movement, which represents South Africa 's white Afrikaner minority, confirmed that nine individuals, including families and children, arrived late last week via a commercial flight. A US Embassy spokesperson told reporters via email that "refugees continue to arrive in the United States from South Africa on commercial flights as part of the Afrikaner resettlement program's ongoing operations." This follows an initial group of 59 white South Africans who arrived at Dulles International Airport in Virginia last month on a chartered flight. The Trump administration said it is offering refugee status to white South Africans it alleges are being persecuted by their Black-led government and are victims of racially motivated violence. The South African government has denied the allegations and said they are a mischaracterization of the country. Trump has falsely claimed that white South African farmers are targeted in widespread attacks that amount to genocide and are having their land taken away. Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with those baseless claims during a meeting at the White House last month. Ramaphosa has said the relatively small number of attacks on white farmers are part of South Africa's larger problems with violent crime, which affects all races. The Trump administration initially said the refugee program was aimed at members of South Africa's Afrikaner minority, who are descendants of mainly Dutch and French colonial settlers. In new guidance published by the US Embassy last month, applicants must be 'a member of a racial minority' in South Africa and 'must be able to articulate a past experience of persecution or fear of future persecution.' There are approximately 2.7 million Afrikaners among South Africa's population of 62 million, which is more than 80% Black. They are not the only white minority. There are around 4.5 million whites in total, including those with British or other heritage. The US Embassy spokesperson said the US 'continues to review inquiries from individuals who have expressed interest to the embassy in resettling to the United States and is reaching out to eligible individuals for refugee interviews and processing." While US officials have not said how many South Africans have applied to be relocated, Kleynhans said there have been around 8,000 applications. Another group helping white South Africans apply for refugee status has said tens of thousands have applied.
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
More white South Africans arrive in the US under a new refugee program
A second group of white South Africans has arrived in the United States under a refugee program announced by the Trump administration, officials and advocacy groups said Monday. Nine people, including families and children, arrived late last week, said Jaco Kleynhans, head of international liaison at the Solidarity Movement, a group representing members of South Africa's white Afrikaner minority. The group traveled on a commercial flight, he said. A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy said in an email to The Associated Press that 'refugees continue to arrive in the United States from South Africa on commercial flights as part of the Afrikaner resettlement program's ongoing operations.' An initial group of 59 white South Africans arrived at Dulles International Airport in Virginia on a chartered flight last month under the new program announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in February. The Trump administration fast-tracked the resettlement of white South Africans after indefinitely suspending other U.S. refugee programs. The Trump administration said it is offering refugee status to white South Africans it alleges are being persecuted by their Black-led government and are victims of racially motivated violence. The South African government has denied the allegations and said they are a mischaracterization of the country. Trump has falsely claimed that white South African farmers are targeted in widespread attacks that amount to genocide and are having their land taken away. Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with those baseless claims during a meeting at the White House last month. Ramaphosa has said the relatively small number of attacks on white farmers are part of South Africa's larger problems with violent crime, which affects all races. The Trump administration initially said the refugee program was aimed at members of South Africa's Afrikaner minority, who are descendants of mainly Dutch and French colonial settlers. In new guidance published by the U.S. Embassy last month, applicants must be 'a member of a racial minority' in South Africa and 'must be able to articulate a past experience of persecution or fear of future persecution.' There are approximately 2.7 million Afrikaners among South Africa's population of 62 million, which is more than 80% Black. They are not the only white minority. There are around 4.5 million whites in total, including those with British or other heritage. The U.S. Embassy spokesperson said the U.S. 'continues to review inquiries from individuals who have expressed interest to the embassy in resettling to the United States and is reaching out to eligible individuals for refugee interviews and processing." While U.S. officials have not said how many South Africans have applied to be relocated, Kleynhans said there have been around 8,000 applications. Another group helping white South Africans apply for refugee status has said tens of thousands have applied. ___
Axios
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
GOP bill would force D.C. to call its Metro the "Trump Train"
A House Republican introduced legislation to block federal funding for the Washington, D.C. Metrorail system unless it is renamed the "Trump Train". Why it matters: The bill is likely a long-shot, but it is the latest in a series of GOP measures geared primary towards displaying fealty to President Trump. The House passed a tax bill last week that would institute $1,000 savings accounts for newborns. Initially called "MAGA Accounts," the were changed last minute to "Trump Accounts." Lawmakers have also proposed bills to rename Dulles Airport after Trump, put him on the $100 bill and allow him to run for a third term. Driving the news: Rep. Greg Steube's (R-Fla.) Make Autorail Great Again Act threatens to withhold more than $150 million in annual federal grants to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). To receive the funding, the system would have to be renamed to the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA) — a play on Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan. D.C. would also have to refer to its Metrorail system as the "Trump Train," another one of Trump's oft-used slogans. What he's saying: Steube said in a statement that the bill "demands accountability by conditioning federal funding on reforms that signal a cultural shift away from bureaucratic stagnation toward public-facing excellence and patriotism." WMATA, he argued, needs "a fresh identity that aligns with efficiency, service quality, and renewed public trust." Steube noted that Washington, D.C. is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 NFL Draft, and "must meet the highest standards."
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What is "Trump Account" for babies, the new 'big, beautiful tax bill' that could get $1000 to newborns
Credit: Instagram/@realdonaldtrump When Donald Trump is involved, subtlety usually leaves the room. So it's no surprise that Republicans have unveiled a new policy that practically has his name written in fireworks. It's loud, bold, and unmistakably Trump — right down to the branding. House Republicans have just unveiled a proposal to give every American baby born between January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2029, a $1,000 head start in life — deposited into a special investment account. What was once subtly called a 'MAGA account' has now been rebranded with zero nuance as the 'Trump Account.' This renaming came through a last-minute amendment to the party's sweeping fiscal package, which they've nicknamed the 'One, Big Beautiful Bill.' And just in case anyone missed the point, the change makes it unmistakably clear: this baby bonus is brought to you by brand Trump. So, what exactly are Trump Accounts? The original idea was to launch 'money accounts for growth and advancement' — MAGA for short, in a not-so-subtle nod to Trump's famous campaign slogan. But apparently, even that wasn't Trumpy enough. So Republicans took it a step further, ditching the acronym in favor of straight-up name recognition. According to the bill, the Trump Accounts would 'seed' $1,000 into an investment account for every eligible American newborn starting in 2026. Parents can add up to $5,000 each year into these accounts. If they don't set one up, the government will do it for them. The catch? The money must be invested in a broad stock index and can only be used for specific purposes like higher education, starting a business, or purchasing a home. Any withdrawals for other reasons would be taxed as ordinary income, not at the lower capital gains rate — a point of concern for some financial professionals. 'It's not very attractive,' said financial adviser Ann Reilley. 'It just seems like they're complicating things for no reason. ' Still, among the long list of symbolic tributes Republicans have floated — from putting Trump's face on the $100 bill, to renaming Dulles Airport, to letting him negotiate the purchase of Greenland (to be rebranded 'Red, White and Blueland') — the Trump Account seems to be the most viable one yet. It's part investment plan, part political branding exercise. Classic Trump: a baby gift with a bold signature. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
AU Financial Review
21-05-2025
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
Why Afrikaners are the only refugees welcome in Trump's America
Even by the standards of the past four months, it was an extraordinary moment, as what were apparently the first refugees to be allowed into the United States since Donald Trump issued a blanket ban landed last week at Dulles Airport near Washington. They were not from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sudan or any of the world's other active war zones. They were from South Africa. And they were all white Afrikaners.
