#trump_administration

Trump Administration Reverses Directive on Green Card Applicants President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly reversed a controversial directive requiring green card applicants to wait in their home countries while their applications were processed, according to a new report. The policy, outlined in a May 22 memo from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), had sparked significant backlash from the business community, prompting officials to scale back the measure. The memo initially mandated that foreigners seeking permanent residency return to their countries of origin before applying, with exceptions only for those in “extraordinary circumstances.” Immigration lawyer Chris Thomas, who represents employers nationwide, criticized the directive as “clearly flawed,” stating it risked driving businesses to outsource labor to other countries. Thomas, based in Denver, Colorado, noted that company executives and industry groups viewed the policy as the final straw, fearing it would undermine their operations. In response to widespread opposition, USCIS officials privately assured business leaders during a meeting last week that most work visa holders would not be affected. The Post cited an unidentified source familiar with the matter, highlighting the administration’s attempt to mitigate concerns. Some green card applicants were reportedly informed this week that the May 22 order had been “paused” pending further guidance from the Trump administration. A White House official told The Independent that the directive merely restated existing laws and policies, emphasizing it did not apply to those who had already submitted applications.#trump_administration #us_citizenship_and_immigration_services #chris_thomas #us_chamber_of_commerce #national_immigration_forum

Shri Ram Krishnan Resigns from Trump Administration, Focuses on AI Challenges Shri Ram Krishnan, a prominent Indian-American technology advisor in the Trump administration, has announced his resignation from the White House. Krishnan, who played a key role in shaping U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) strategy over the past 18 months, stated that he will take a break to address major challenges related to AI. He revealed that he will step down from his position by the end of the month and plans to work on resolving critical issues facing the United States in the AI domain. Krishnan described his time in the Trump administration as "a great honor" and expressed pride in collaborating with President Donald Trump. In a social media post, Krishnan mentioned that he will take a temporary hiatus to focus on tackling significant challenges in AI. He emphasized that the rapid advancement of AI technology has created new global challenges, and he aims to contribute to solutions for the U.S. and its allies. Krishnan acknowledged the importance of international cooperation, citing efforts with countries like France, India, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East to strengthen American AI capabilities. He highlighted participation in AI summits and diplomatic meetings to advance U.S. interests on the global stage. Krishnan also thanked David Sax, the White House’s AI and cryptocurrency advisor, for his support. Sax praised Krishnan’s contributions, calling his expertise in AI technology, policy, and strategic thinking rare. He noted that Krishnan’s work over the past 18 months was instrumental in shaping U.S. AI initiatives and expressed confidence that Krishnan will continue to provide guidance even after leaving the administration.#trump_administration #ai_strategy #shri_ram_krishnan #david_sax #ai_summits

Trump administration, OpenAI discussing possible government stake in the AI startup The Trump administration and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are engaged in ongoing discussions about a potential government stake in the artificial intelligence company, according to CNBC. The talks, which have been in progress for over a year, began when Altman first proposed the idea to the Trump administration in 2025, as revealed by a source familiar with the matter. The discussions continued this week as Altman met with lawmakers and officials in Washington to address AI regulation and industry developments. Under the potential agreement, OpenAI could donate equity to the U.S. government to establish a "Public Wealth Fund," a concept outlined in the company’s April policy proposal. The fund would aim to "invest in diversified, long-term assets" and allow citizens to participate in the "upside" of AI growth, potentially through direct returns. However, no official investment terms have been finalized, and the details remain subject to change. CNBC first reported the recent talks, highlighting the evolving nature of the negotiations. President Donald Trump addressed the discussions while traveling on Air Force One, stating that "pieces could be given to the American public" to make them "essentially a partner" in the AI sector. He emphasized his intention to meet with AI companies "in the very short, very near future," underscoring the administration’s interest in shaping the industry’s trajectory. Trump’s remarks align with an executive order signed in February, which directed the federal government to create a sovereign wealth fund to capitalize on AI advancements.#trump_administration #openai #sam_altman #sovereign_wealth_fund #public_wealth_fund

Federal Judge Rules Trump's Immigration Policies Unlawful, Blocking Asylum and Green Card Processing for 39 Countries A federal judge in Providence, Rhode Island, ruled on Friday that the Trump administration’s policies targeting immigrants from 39 countries subject to travel bans were unlawful, effectively halting the processing of asylum, work permits, green cards, and citizenship applications for individuals from those nations. Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell, appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued the decision in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of immigrant service organizations and labor unions. The case challenged a series of measures adopted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), starting in November 2023. These policies, aligned with Trump’s broader anti-immigration agenda, placed a hold on immigration benefit applications from people in the 39 countries, which include nations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The ruling came on the same day the U.S. Senate passed legislation to fund Trump’s controversial immigration crackdown, highlighting the political and legal tensions surrounding the policies. McConnell’s decision emphasized that the policies created “indeterminate legal limbo” for immigrants living in the U.S., as they were denied decisions on their applications despite adhering to legal procedures. The judge argued that USCIS’s actions were not based on any wrongdoing by the applicants but rather on their birthplace, which he deemed an unconstitutional overreach. “USCIS’s hold on adjudications cannot be attributed to anything that these individuals did wrong; rather, it arises solely by the happenstance of their birth,” the judge wrote.#trump_administration #federal_judge #department_of_homeland_security #uscis #john_mcconnell

Russia Crude Oil Sanctions Waiver: U.S. Plans to End Exemption, Impact on India The U.S. government, under the Trump administration, has announced plans to terminate the exemption granted to countries like India for importing Russian crude oil. This decision has raised concerns about its potential impact on India’s energy security and economy. The waiver, initially introduced to ease global supply chain disruptions and mitigate rising oil prices, has been extended multiple times but is now set to expire. The U.S. Department of State, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, has emphasized that the exemption was a temporary measure to address post-Iran War supply chain issues. Rubio stated that the policy’s primary goal was to open global oil markets and reduce the economic strain caused by sanctions. However, the administration now argues that the original rationale no longer applies, and the exemption should be revoked to align with broader U.S. foreign policy objectives. India, which has relied heavily on Russian oil imports since the Ukraine conflict began, faces significant challenges if the waiver is terminated. According to Energy Intelligence firm Kpler, India imported a record 2.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude in the previous month, a figure made possible by the waiver. Without the exemption, Indian refiners would have to purchase oil at higher prices from the international spot market, increasing the country’s import costs. India’s energy dependence on imports is substantial, with approximately 90% of its oil demand met through foreign sources. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India became a key buyer of discounted Russian oil, which helped stabilize its energy costs. The waiver allowed India to bypass U.S. sanctions, enabling it to secure cheaper supplies amid global price volatility.#india #marco_rubio #trump_administration #kpler #hormuz_strait_crisis

Federal Judge Halts Trump’s $1.8 Billion ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund Amid Legal Challenges A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” a controversial initiative created as part of a settlement with the president, his family, and the Trump Organization. The order, issued by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema of the Eastern District of Virginia, came after a Jan. 6 prosecutor and other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit to halt the fund. The decision prevents the administration from taking further action on the fund, including transferring money, processing claims, or disbursing funds, while legal motions to block its distribution remain pending. The fund, managed by the Justice Department, was designed to provide financial assistance to individuals allegedly targeted by the government during investigations into events surrounding January 6, 2021. However, its existence has drawn sharp criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Opponents have accused the administration of creating a “slush fund” to benefit Trump’s allies, with legal experts warning about the lack of public oversight in its management. Senate Republican leaders delayed a vote on a GOP bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol until June, citing concerns over the fund as a key reason. The judge’s order emphasizes the need to prevent irreversible disbursement of funds while legal challenges are unresolved. The process for applicants to access the fund cannot officially begin until five commissioners are appointed to oversee its distribution. Despite this, individuals claiming they were targeted by the government have already requested money, though the exact application process remains unclear.#justice_department #trump_administration #federal_judge #jan_6_prosecutions #andrew_floyd

Trump Administration Live Updates: Bessent Faces Reporters in White House Press Briefing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed reporters at the White House press briefing, emphasizing his confidence in the administration’s economic strategy amid rising inflation and geopolitical tensions. Bessent, who recently met with Kevin Warsh, the newly appointed chair of the Federal Reserve, stated that inflation would decline once the Iran conflict concludes. He also hinted at the Treasury’s preparation of a mockup for a $250 bill featuring President Trump’s portrait, though he stressed that such a move would require congressional approval. Bessent deferred questions about a proposed “anti-weaponization fund” to the Department of Justice, citing ongoing legal reviews. The briefing coincided with alarming inflation data, as a key measure of inflation accelerated to a three-year high, intensifying pressure on the Federal Reserve to address persistent price pressures. The Personal Consumption Expenditures index rose 3.8% annually in April, the fastest pace since May 2023, while core inflation—excluding volatile food and energy prices—increased by 3.3%, the highest level since November 2023. Monthly inflation data showed a slight slowdown, with overall prices rising 0.4% and core prices up 0.2%, but these figures underscored the broader challenge of stabilizing the economy amid the Iran conflict’s impact on global energy markets. The war, which began in late February, has severely disrupted energy supplies, driving up prices and complicating the Fed’s approach to inflation. While the central bank has historically “looked through” supply shocks, recent tensions have raised questions about the viability of this strategy. Federal Reserve officials, including New York Fed President John C.#scott_bessent #federal_reserve #trump_administration #iran_conflict #kevin_warsh

Trump's New Green Card Plan Isn't Designed to Keep Immigrants Here The Trump administration announced a new policy Friday that will significantly complicate the path for immigrants seeking permanent residency in the United States. Under the proposed changes, except in extraordinary circumstances, individuals applying for green cards must first return to their home countries to apply at U.S. consular offices abroad. This shift marks a departure from the longstanding practice of allowing immigrants already living in the U.S. on visas to pursue permanent residency through “adjustment of status.” USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler framed the policy as a move toward “fairness and efficiency,” but critics argue it is fundamentally exclusionary. Former USCIS official Doug Rand, in a statement, directly called the policy’s purpose “exclusion,” noting that it aligns with Trump’s existing ban on entry for people from over 100 countries. Rand emphasized that forcing applicants to return home for consular processing effectively removes a viable pathway to residency. The green card process, already known for its length, cost, and complexity, will become even more burdensome under this new rule. According to Department of Homeland Security data, the U.S. issued approximately 1.4 million green cards in 2024, with over 820,000 granted to applicants already residing in the country through adjustment of status. This group includes spouses, children of U.S. citizens, and skilled professionals securing residency through employers. The policy’s reversal of this process risks destabilizing families and disrupting lives. For many applicants, the requirement to return home introduces new challenges. Unreliable transportation to remote embassies, limited access to legal support, and the absence of the U.S.#trump_administration #department_of_homeland_security #uscis #zach_kahler #doug_rand

US Waiver On Russian Oil Ends: Will India Raise Fuel Prices Again? The Trump administration's sanctions waiver on Russian seaborne crude oil expired on May 17, ending a temporary reprieve for India's energy strategy. This decision, which had allowed India to continue importing Russian oil without facing U.S. penalties, now forces the country to confront a dual crisis: rising global oil prices and the geopolitical risks of relying on Russian supplies. The waiver's expiration coincided with ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint, which has driven global crude prices above $105 per barrel—up from around $72 before the Iran war escalated tensions. India, which imports over 85% of its crude oil, now faces a precarious situation as its reliance on Russian oil, which accounted for nearly half of its total imports in May, becomes more politically and economically risky. For nearly two years, India had leveraged the waiver to secure discounted Russian crude, a strategy that helped shield the country from the worst effects of the global oil shock following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During this period, Indian refiners purchased record volumes of Russian oil, with imports reaching 2.3 million barrels per day in May. This supply chain provided a critical buffer against soaring global prices, allowing India to maintain relatively stable fuel costs despite the broader economic turmoil. However, the waiver's expiration has disrupted this balance, leaving India vulnerable to both sanctions risks and the financial strain of higher oil prices. The timing of the waiver's end has been particularly challenging. The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions, with tanker movements slowed by the Iran war and insurance costs soaring.#india #strait_of_hormuz #trump_administration #russian_oil #petros_stone_llp

Trump's Exemption on Russian Oil Ends, Fuel Prices in India Rise Again India's petrol and diesel prices surged again on May 15, 2026, nearly four years after the last increase. This follows the expiration of a critical U.S. exemption that had allowed countries like India to bypass sanctions on Russian crude oil. The lifting of this exemption has raised concerns about further price hikes, especially as global oil prices have already risen significantly amid geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions. The U.S. government, under the Trump administration, had previously extended the exemption for Russian oil imports by one month before officially ending it. This move meant that India and other nations could continue importing Russian crude without facing U.S. sanctions. However, with the exemption now revoked, Indian refiners face the risk of higher costs and potential supply chain disruptions. India has relied heavily on discounted Russian crude oil over the past two years, with imports reaching approximately 2.3 million barrels per day in May 2026. This reliance helped stabilize India's fuel prices in a volatile global market. However, the end of the exemption has introduced new uncertainties. Analysts warn that if global crude prices continue to rise, India may need to impose another price hike, potentially increasing fuel costs by up to ₹10 per liter. The recent surge in fuel prices coincided with heightened tensions in the Middle East, including U.S.-Israel military actions against Iran and attacks on key oil infrastructure in the UAE. Brent crude prices rose 1.81% to $111.24 per barrel, while WTI crude climbed 2.15% to $107.69 per barrel. These increases have already pressured Indian refiners, who raised fuel prices by ₹3 per liter at the start of May.#india #brent_crude #trump_administration #russian_oil #wti_crude

Trump administration defers $1.3 billion in Medicaid payments to California amid fraud investigation The Trump administration announced on May 13, 2026, that it would defer $1.3 billion in Medicaid payments to California as part of a broader crackdown on fraud in federal healthcare programs. Vice President JD Vance revealed the decision during a White House event, marking the latest step in the administration’s efforts to address alleged misconduct in Medicaid and Medicare. This move follows a similar deferral of over $350 million in Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota earlier in the year, which was also part of a series of anti-fraud measures unveiled by the administration. The measures include a nationwide six-month moratorium on new enrollments for hospice and home health providers in Medicare, as well as a review of every state’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU). These units are responsible for investigating and prosecuting fraud among Medicaid providers. The administration also emphasized that states failing to comply with MFCU obligations could face the loss of federal funding for their Medicaid programs, which totals nearly $500 million annually. Vance and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz criticized several Democratic-led states, including California, Minnesota, New York, and Hawaii, for allegedly not taking fraud seriously. They argued that states must strengthen their efforts to combat fraud through MFCUs to retain federal support. Letters were sent to state attorneys general, including California’s Rob Bonta, warning that noncompliance could jeopardize Medicaid funds. One such letter stated that failure to fulfill MFCU responsibilities could place a state’s entire Medicaid program at risk.#california #minnesota #trump_administration #jd_vance #mehmet_oz

Trump Administration Targets Immigration Judges to Speed Up Deportations The U.S. Department of Justice, under the leadership of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, has announced plans to remove immigration judges deemed too slow or uncooperative with the administration’s deportation agenda. Blanche made these remarks during a press conference in Washington on April 21, 2026, following his appearance at the annual Border Security Expo in Phoenix. The event brought together immigration officials, law enforcement agencies, and federal contractors, highlighting the administration’s focus on immigration and border security. Blanche’s comments marked one of the most detailed public statements on immigration court reforms since he assumed his role after the resignation of Pam Bondi earlier this year. The Trump administration has prioritized large-scale deportations as a core policy goal, aiming to address what it describes as a backlog of over 3.7 million immigration cases. To accelerate this process, the government has intensified immigration enforcement in major cities, expanded detention centers, and increased hiring of immigration agents. However, the efficiency of deportations hinges on the immigration courts, which are managed by the Department of Justice rather than the federal judiciary. Unlike federal courts, where judges have lifetime appointments and strict procedural rules, immigration judges can be removed by the Department of Justice without significant legal hurdles. Blanche emphasized that the administration is targeting judges who allegedly delay cases or fail to apply immigration laws “by empathy for individuals.” He stated, “One takes an oath and is not allowed to make decisions based on what seems to please you or by caprice.#department_of_justice #trump_administration #todd_blanche #american_immigration_lawyers_association #border_security_expo

Trump administration investigates Smith College transgender policy For more than a decade, Smith College, one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious all-women schools, has admitted self-identified transgender women without significant public backlash. However, the election of President Trump to a second term shifted the focus of the college’s admissions policy under a federal government scrutinizing diversity practices in higher education. On Monday, the federal government announced it had initiated a civil rights investigation of Smith College, alleging its admission of transgender women violates Title IX, the law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. The investigation began in 2025 when Smith awarded an honorary degree to Admiral Rachel L. Levine, a transgender woman and former Biden administration official, and invited her to speak at the school’s commencement ceremony. This decision drew attention from Sarah Parshall Perry, vice president of the conservative watchdog group Defending Education, who filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education in June 2025. The complaint argued that Smith’s policy discriminates against “biological women” by admitting students whose assigned sex at birth was male but identify as female, while barring students whose assigned sex at birth was female but identify as male. The Department of Education’s Civil Rights office stated that Title IX allows single-sex colleges to maintain all-female student bodies based on biological sex, not gender identity. The statement emphasized that an all-girls college admitting male-identifying students would no longer qualify as single-sex under the law.#trump_administration #title_ix #smith_college #sarah_parrish_perry #defending_education

Trump Administration Considering Safety Review for New AI Models Amid Post-Mythos Concerns The Trump administration is exploring a new initiative that would mandate the Pentagon to conduct safety assessments for AI models deployed by federal, state, and local governments, according to Axios. This development comes as the White House grapples with the security implications of advanced AI systems, particularly following the release of Anthropic’s Mythos Preview. The plan aims to address vulnerabilities in AI models before they are integrated into public sector operations, marking a shift from the administration’s previous stance of minimal oversight. The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) has convened two key meetings in recent weeks, engaging with technology companies and industry trade groups to discuss broader security risks posed by advanced AI models. These discussions have centered on the need for a structured framework to evaluate the safety and security of AI deployments. Sources indicate that the ONCD is considering a proposal that would place the Pentagon in charge of leading safety testing for AI systems used by government entities. This would add an additional layer of scrutiny to ensure that models are secure before they are implemented in critical infrastructure and public services. The proposed framework is reportedly well advanced, with one source noting that it was under development prior to the release of Mythos, which has intensified concerns about AI’s potential for cyber threats. While the administration is considering an executive order to assign multiple agencies with the responsibility of safety testing, it remains unclear whether the plan will incorporate updates to address advancements in models like Mythos and OpenAI’s GPT 5.5.#pentagon #trump_administration #anthropic #office_of_the_national_cyber_director #mythos

Proposed SSI Rule Could Cut Checks for Up to 70,000 in Los Angeles County A proposed federal rule change, initiated by the Trump administration, could significantly reduce monthly disability payments for tens of thousands of residents in Los Angeles County. The policy, currently under development within the executive branch and advanced through the Social Security Administration, targets individuals living in households that also receive food assistance. Under the proposal, recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who reside with family members would have their benefits reduced or eliminated, effectively treating in-kind support—such as housing—as income. This change could affect up to 70,000 people in the county, with nationwide implications potentially impacting as many as 400,000 SSI recipients. The rule would overturn a longstanding policy that recognizes families with disabled adults or seniors as already financially strained. Instead, it would count living arrangements as a form of financial support, even when no money is exchanged. For example, a disabled individual living with family members could lose up to one-third of their monthly SSI benefits, which currently average around $994. This reduction could amount to approximately $300 per month, or $3,600 annually, for some of the country’s poorest residents. Los Angeles County is particularly vulnerable to the policy’s impact. Federal data indicates that roughly 349,000 residents in the county receive SSI, with 285,000 being disabled individuals under age 65 and 64,000 being elderly recipients. Of these, an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 could see their benefits reduced under the proposed rule.#trump_administration #los_angeles_county #social_security_administration #supplemental_security_income #supplemental_nutrition_assistance_program

Trump administration rule could cut federal benefits for disabled The Trump administration is reportedly considering a proposed rule that, if finalized, could significantly reduce or eliminate monthly federal benefits for disabled adults and indigent older individuals living with family members. ProPublica first disclosed the potential change on April 28, citing information from four federal officials, internal emails, and a federal regulatory filing. The investigative journalism outlet analyzed actuarial data from the Social Security Administration and estimated that up to 400,000 low-income disabled individuals and elderly people could face reduced or lost support under the proposed policy. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, administered by the Social Security Administration, provides an average monthly payment of $737 to approximately 7.4 million people with severe disabilities and indigent older adults as of early 2026, according to the Congressional Research Service. A critical factor in determining SSI eligibility is whether an individual resides in a "public assistance household." For decades, the Social Security Administration defined such households strictly as those where every member received some form of public assistance. If even one household member did not qualify for benefits, it could disqualify the disabled individual from receiving SSI. Notably, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was not included in the list of qualifying programs under this definition. In 2024, President Joe Biden’s administration revised the policy to expand eligibility.#trump_administration #social_security_administration #supplemental_security_income #office_of_management_and_budget #supplemental_nutrition_assistance_program

Jimmy Kimmel Defies Trump Amid FCC Challenge to ABC On April 28, 2026, comedian Jimmy Kimmel delivered a satirical monologue on his show Jimmy Kimmel Live! that sidestepped the ongoing controversy surrounding the Trump administration’s challenge to ABC’s station licenses. The episode came days after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an unusual directive to Disney, ABC’s parent company, demanding it begin renewing its broadcast licenses years ahead of schedule. While the FCC’s order did not directly target Kimmel, it was widely interpreted as a political move, given its alignment with Trump’s opposition to Disney’s diversity initiatives. Kimmel’s segment focused on a recent White House event where President Donald Trump made a joke about his 63-year marriage to Melania Trump, quipping, “That’s a record we won’t be able to match, darling, I’m sorry.” The remark drew immediate backlash, with Trump allies accusing Kimmel of insensitivity. In response, Kimmel mocked the president’s hypocrisy, stating, “Only Donald Trump would demand that I be fired for making a joke about his old age and then a day later, go out and make a joke about his old age.” The comedian’s critique highlighted the tension between Trump’s public persona and his private comments, which have often been scrutinized for their tone. The controversy surrounding Kimmel’s remarks intensified after he made a joke about Melania Trump during a previous episode, describing her as looking like an “expectant widow.” The comment, which referenced Trump’s age and Melania’s relative youth, sparked a firestorm of criticism from his supporters. However, Kimmel defended the joke as a light-hearted roast, emphasizing that it was not a call to violence.#trump_administration #disney #jimmy_kimmel #federal_communications_commission #ted_cruz

USDA Boosts Payments Under SDRP as Rollins Signals Fertilizer Investment Push Farmers affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 who submitted claims under the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) will receive a second payment starting next week, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. The announcement was made during a roundtable event with Missouri farmers east of Kansas City, where Rollins emphasized the importance of the additional aid for producers seeking operating loans this spring. The SDRP, which was established after Congress allocated over $20 billion in disaster relief for weather-related losses in 2023 and 2024, will now provide farmers with double the initial aid. USDA has already disbursed $6.7 billion under the program, and the new payment factor has been raised from 35% to 70%, effectively doubling the amount producers receive. Rollins stated that this adjustment would significantly increase the financial support available to farmers and ranchers, with payments expected to begin arriving next week. The extension of the SDRP application deadline from April 30 to August 12 was also announced. Rollins explained that this extension allows more time for producers and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to address potential changes in the program that could affect payments. USDA officials, including Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce, highlighted that the delay was partly due to clarifying what qualifies as a quality loss under the program. Some farmers, particularly rice growers in the Mid-South, have faced challenges selling 2024 harvests due to quality issues, preventing them from receiving SDRP payments.#trump_administration #brooke_rollins #usda #farm_service_agency #richard_fordyce

Trump administration flies 10-year-old back from Cuba amid custody fight President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice sent a government plane to Cuba this week to return a 10-year-old child from Utah who is at the center of a contentious custody dispute involving the child’s gender identity. The child’s parent, Rose Inessa-Ethington, a transgender woman, is accused of taking the child to Cuba without the permission of the biological mother. Federal and state authorities sought the child’s return after a family member raised concerns that Inessa-Ethington had traveled to Havana to obtain gender transition surgery for the child. The child’s biological mother, who was divorced from Inessa-Ethington and shared custody, filed a missing-person report with Logan, Utah, police on April 3 after the child was not returned as scheduled. Logan City Police Chief Jeff Simmons confirmed that the initial focus of the investigation was on custodial interference allegations, with concerns about gender-affirming surgery being raised later by a family member. The police spokesperson, Sgt. Brandon Bevan, noted that the concerns were expressed by one family member but declined to specify who. The custody dispute between the parents is not new. An online fundraiser created by Blue Inessa-Ethington, the child’s other parent, in 2021 titled “Help a Trans Mother Keep Custody of Her Child” raised $9,766. Inessa-Ethington claimed that her ex-partner had relocated several counties away, negatively impacting her parent-time with the child. She stated the funds would be used to secure a court order ensuring the child’s safety and stability.#trump_administration #cuba #rose_inessaethington #blue_inessaethington #fbi_special_agent_jennifer_waterfield

Trump Tariff Refund Portal Launches: What US Businesses Should Know U.S. businesses that paid tariffs deemed illegal by the Supreme Court can now apply for refunds through a new online portal, which officially launched on Monday. The initiative marks the first phase of the Trump administration’s efforts to comply with court orders to reimburse billions of dollars in tariffs and interest to importers. The portal, part of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) system, aims to streamline the refund process for duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Supreme Court’s February ruling declared many of the Trump-era tariffs unlawful, prompting the administration to initiate the reimbursement process. While the Court did not specify how refunds should be handled, the Court of International Trade ordered the government to begin reimbursements. The new CAPE portal, managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), requires importers to submit a "CAPE declaration" to claim refunds. Importers of Record and authorized customs brokers must create accounts on the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system and provide bank account details to process claims. Refunds are expected to be issued within 60-90 days of application, though delays may occur if there are inaccuracies or compliance concerns. However, not all importers will be immediately eligible. Phase 1 of the system is limited to certain unliquidated entries and those within 80 days of liquidation. As of April 9, only about 56,500 of the 330,000 importers who paid estimated duties of $166 billion as of March 4 had completed enrollment for electronic payments, a prerequisite for receiving refunds.#supreme_court #trump_administration #costco #us_customs_and_border_protection #cape_portal