A Honduran migrant who tried to cross the US-Mexico border after he was detained and deported, January 20, 2021. AP Photo
A Honduran migrant who tried to cross the US-Mexico border after he was detained and deported, January 20, 2021. AP Photo
A Honduran migrant who tried to cross the US-Mexico border after he was detained and deported, January 20, 2021. AP Photo
A Honduran migrant who tried to cross the US-Mexico border after he was detained and deported, January 20, 2021. AP Photo

Democrats to send sweeping new immigration bill to Congress


Willy Lowry
  • English
  • Arabic

Democrats are expected to propose a sweeping new immigration bill in Congress on Thursday.
The bill was a major cornerstone of President Joe Biden's campaign and would profoundly change the country's immigration policies.

The US Citizen Act of 2021, if passed, would create an eight-year path to citizenship for the country’s estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants. It would make farmworkers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) recipients, as well as people with Temporary Protected Status, including 6,800 Syrians, eligible to receive green card residency visas immediately if they meet certain security requirements.

The bill embraces Mr Biden’s vision for a more diverse and inclusive America. It includes a No Ban Act that prohibits discrimination based on religion and would limit presidential authority over the issue in the future. It would also increase the number of diversity visas issued every year from 55,000 to 80,000.

The president tapped two children of immigrants, Linda T Sanchez, a representative from California, and Robert Menendez, a senator from New Jersey, to steer the bill through Congress. But they face an uphill battle.

The US has not passed any major immigration reform since Ronald Reagan signed a sweeping law into effect in 1986, giving amnesty to three million undocumented immigrants.

There have been several attempts since, most recently in 2013. The Democrats have a small majority in Congress and the Senate is split 50-50, meaning any bill would require significant bipartisan support to pass.

"We Democrats are putting forward President Biden's vision for immigration reform because we believe it is the right vision for immigration reform," Mr Menendez said at a conference held in advance of introducing the bill.

“We know the path forward will demand negotiation with others but we are not going to make concessions out of the gate. We are not going to start with two million undocumented people instead of 11. We will never win an argument that we don't have the courage to make."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: "Comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship has long been a priority of mine, and I believe it is one of the most important things this Congress can do."

Jim Jordan, a representative from Ohio, urged fellow Republicans not to support the bill. He tweeted: “Republicans shouldn’t support any immigration reform bill that does not secure the border, does not permanently end catch and release and does not end incentives for illegal immigration.”

Mr Biden, who spent 36 years in the Senate, said he is open to working with Republicans on the bill and is hoping to find support in the party.

Mr Biden also hinted at a willingness to pursue several avenues to reforming immigration. That could mean introducing smaller, more targeted bills along the way that focus on specific aspects of immigration policy.

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Based: Riyadh

Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany

Founded: September, 2020

Number of employees: 70

Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions

Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds  

Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Results

6pm: Dubai Trophy – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m 

Winner: Silent Speech, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby
(trainer) 

6.35pm: Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m 

Winner: Island Falcon, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor 

7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Dirt)
1,400m 

Winner: Rawy, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer 

7.45pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m 

Winner: Desert Fire, Hector Crouch, Saeed bin Suroor 

8.20pm: Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m 

Winner: Naval Crown, William Buick, Charlie Appleby 

8.55pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m 

Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watsons 

9.30pm: Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m 

Winner: Dubai Icon, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor  

Scores in brief:

  • New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
  • William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
  • Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
  • Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
Dunki
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

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EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

Rating: 3/5

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The bio:

Favourite film:

Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Favourite holiday destination:

Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.

Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.

Favourite pastime:

Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.

Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.

Personal motto:

Declan: Take chances.

Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.

 

Silent Hill f

Publisher: Konami

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Rating: 4.5/5