Afghan refugees in their new home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Reuters
Afghan refugees in their new home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Reuters
Afghan refugees in their new home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Reuters
Afghan refugees in their new home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Reuters

World

US

Americans can sponsor refugees directly under programme launching this week

Small groups can sponsor refugees for $2,275 as part of a new Welcome Corps programme

Reuters

January 18, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Groups of Americans will be able to directly sponsor refugees for resettlement in the US under a new programme launching on Thursday, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, a step that could bolster admissions and reduce government costs.

Under the pilot programme, which will be called the Welcome Corps, groups of at least five people will be expected to raise a minimum of $2,275 per refugee assigned to them by the government, one of the people said.

The sponsor groups will also be required to pass background checks and create a support plan.

The programme will aim to find US sponsors for 5,000 refugees in fiscal year 2023, which ends on September 30, another of the sources said.

The individual sponsorship programme for refugees — similar to a model used in Canada — is part of a broader effort by US President Joe Biden to provide opportunities for Americans to support foreigners seeking protection.

Earlier this month, Mr Biden rolled out a humanitarian entry programme that allows up to 30,000 migrants per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to enter via “parole” if they have US sponsors and travel by air.

The administration also used parole to admit Afghans and Ukrainians and piloted sponsor programmes to support them in the US.

The US border fence in Tijuana, Mexico. All photos: Willy Lowry / The National
The US border fence in Tijuana, Mexico. All photos: Willy Lowry / The National
The entrance to Unidad Deportiva Benito Juarez, where hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are staying.
The entrance to Unidad Deportiva Benito Juarez, where hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are staying.
Georg Bondarenko with his uncle in Tijuana, having fled Ukraine.
Georg Bondarenko with his uncle in Tijuana, having fled Ukraine.
Ukrainians are sleeping beside luggage in Tijuana.
Ukrainians are sleeping beside luggage in Tijuana.
Children pick out toys from a donation box at the sports complex where Ukrainian refugees are staying in Tijuana.
Children pick out toys from a donation box at the sports complex where Ukrainian refugees are staying in Tijuana.
A young girl plays with a toy.
A young girl plays with a toy.
Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are sleeping in the gymnasium in Tijuana.
Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are sleeping in the gymnasium in Tijuana.
Victoria and her partner fled Kyiv for the US. Here they pose inside a refugee camp in Tijuana, Mexico.
Victoria and her partner fled Kyiv for the US. Here they pose inside a refugee camp in Tijuana, Mexico.
Sandra, a 21-year-old university student, waits to enter the US.
Sandra, a 21-year-old university student, waits to enter the US.
Karina Konotopets fled Chernihiv at the start of the war.
Karina Konotopets fled Chernihiv at the start of the war.
Ukrainians huddle around a makeshift charging station in Tijuana.
Ukrainians huddle around a makeshift charging station in Tijuana.
Anastasiya Polo is one of the lead volunteers helping to organise the makeshift refugee camp in Tijuana.
Anastasiya Polo is one of the lead volunteers helping to organise the makeshift refugee camp in Tijuana.
A woman carries a child on to a bus in Tijuana.
A woman carries a child on to a bus in Tijuana.
A bus carrying refugees is parked in front of the sports complex where Ukrainians are staying in Tijuana.
A bus carrying refugees is parked in front of the sports complex where Ukrainians are staying in Tijuana.
A young girl sits on a bus in Tijuana, waiting to enter the US.
A young girl sits on a bus in Tijuana, waiting to enter the US.
Ukrainian refugees walk up the pedestrian ramp to the PedWest point of entry into the United States.
Ukrainian refugees walk up the pedestrian ramp to the PedWest point of entry into the United States.
Ukrainian refugees wait to enter the US.
Ukrainian refugees wait to enter the US.
The San Ysidro Port of Entry from Tijuana.
The San Ysidro Port of Entry from Tijuana.
A man wearing a sombrero and draped in Ukrainian flag welcomes refugees on the US side of the border.
A man wearing a sombrero and draped in Ukrainian flag welcomes refugees on the US side of the border.
Victoria and her partner pose with a young child on the US side of the border.
Victoria and her partner pose with a young child on the US side of the border.
The controversial US border fence stretches for kilometres near Tijuana.
The controversial US border fence stretches for kilometres near Tijuana.
The US border fence stretches towards the Pacific Ocean.
The US border fence stretches towards the Pacific Ocean.

The Welcome Corps programme will bring in refugees through the US Refugee Resettlement Programme, which takes referrals from the UN and US embassies.

Mr Biden set a cap of 125,000 refugee admissions this fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2022, but only 6,750 arrived from October-December, according to programme data.

The US greatly curtailed refugee entries under former Republican president Donald Trump, who portrayed them as a security threat. Admissions have yet to rebound to pre-Trump levels.

Sasha Chanoff, founder of RefugePoint, which identifies people in need of resettlement, said the sponsorships could be one of the most significant developments for the US refugee programme since it began in 1980.

“It invites Americans to get involved in new ways,” he said.

Giant refugee puppet joins 'huddled masses' in New York — in pictures

Little Amal, a giant puppet depicting a Syrian refugee girl, walks outside St Patrick's Cathedral in New York. AFP
Little Amal, a giant puppet depicting a Syrian refugee girl, walks outside St Patrick's Cathedral in New York. AFP
The puppet was built to raise awareness of the plight of displaced children seeking safety across borders. AFP
The puppet was built to raise awareness of the plight of displaced children seeking safety across borders. AFP
She started her journey at the Syrian-Turkish border in July 2021. AFP
She started her journey at the Syrian-Turkish border in July 2021. AFP
Little Amal walks through Times Square in New York City. AFP
Little Amal walks through Times Square in New York City. AFP
On a 17-day tour of New York City, Little Amal will visit a variety of neighbourhoods while raising awareness about immigration and refugees. AFP
On a 17-day tour of New York City, Little Amal will visit a variety of neighbourhoods while raising awareness about immigration and refugees. AFP
Little Amal, who has been touring around the world, symbolises a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl. AFP
Little Amal, who has been touring around the world, symbolises a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl. AFP
She met Ukrainian refugees in Europe. AFP
She met Ukrainian refugees in Europe. AFP
The puppet performs with members of New Victory LabWorks at the New York Public Library. AFP
The puppet performs with members of New Victory LabWorks at the New York Public Library. AFP
The tour, organised by The Walk Productions and St Ann's Warehouse, will cover all five boroughs at 55 events. AFP
The tour, organised by The Walk Productions and St Ann's Warehouse, will cover all five boroughs at 55 events. AFP
Little Amal at the New York Public Library. AFP
Little Amal at the New York Public Library. AFP
Her producers chose New York because America and Europe are where the 'huddled masses' are welcome. AFP
Her producers chose New York because America and Europe are where the 'huddled masses' are welcome. AFP
She was designed by the Handspring Puppet Company based in South Africa. AFP
She was designed by the Handspring Puppet Company based in South Africa. AFP
Little Amal walks around Grand Central Station. AP
Little Amal walks around Grand Central Station. AP
Newlyweds meet Little Amal. AFP
Newlyweds meet Little Amal. AFP
Little Amal is trying to reach every corner of the Big Apple. AP
Little Amal is trying to reach every corner of the Big Apple. AP
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
On Women's Day
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20National%20selections
%3Cp%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2014px%3B%22%3E6pm%3A%20Go%20Soldier%20Go%3Cbr%3E6.35pm%3A%20Man%20Of%20Promise%3Cbr%3E7.10pm%3A%20Withering%3Cbr%3E7.45pm%3A%20Mawj%3Cbr%3E8.20pm%3A%20Falling%20Shadow%3Cbr%3E8.55pm%3A%20Law%20Of%20Peace%3Cbr%3E9.30pm%3A%20Naval%20Power%3Cbr%3E10.05pm%3A%20The%20Attorney%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More on this story
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SCE%20Studio%20Cambridge%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%2C%20PlayStation%204%20and%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
World Cup final

Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region

While you're here
Match info

Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace

Man of the match: Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%0DMain%20Event%0D%3A%20Lightweight%20Title%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAmru%20Magomedov%20def%20Jakhongir%20Jumaev%20-%20Round%201%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-Main%20Event%0D%3A%20Bantamweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERany%20Saadeh%20def%20Genil%20Franciso%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20150%20lbs%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EWalter%20Cogliandro%20def%20Ali%20Al%20Qaisi%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERenat%20Khavalov%20def%20Hikaru%20Yoshino%20-%20Round%202%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EVictor%20Nunes%20def%20Nawras%20Abzakh%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EYamato%20Fujita%20def%20Sanzhar%20Adilov%20-%20Round%201%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELightweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAbdullo%20Khodzhaev%20def%20Petru%20Buzdugen%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20139%20lbs%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERazhabali%20Shaydullaev%20def%20Magomed%20Al-Abdullah%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ECong%20Wang%20def%20Amena%20Hadaya%20-%20Points%20(unanimous%20decision)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EKhabib%20Nabiev%20def%20Adis%20Taalaybek%20Uulu%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELight%20Heavyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBartosz%20Szewczyk%20def%20Artem%20Zemlyakov%20-%20Round%202%20(TKO)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Bio

Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees  (oats with chicken) is one of them

Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.

Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results

During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks

Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy

Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it

Results

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m, Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m, Winner: Secret Protector, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

All%20The%20Light%20We%20Cannot%20See%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESteven%20Knight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMark%20Ruffalo%2C%20Hugh%20Laurie%2C%20Aria%20Mia%20Loberti%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm

Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: from Dh317,671

On sale: now

APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)

Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits

Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Storage: 128/256/512GB

Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4

Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps

Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID

Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight

In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

Price: From Dh2,099

Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Day 2, stumps

Pakistan 482

Australia 30/0 (13 ov)

Australia trail by 452 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
57%20Seconds
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here

Rainbow

Kesha

(Kemosabe)

Museum of the Future in numbers
  •  78 metres is the height of the museum
  •  30,000 square metres is its total area
  •  17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
  •  14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
  •  1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior 
  •  7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
  •  2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
  •  100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
  •  Dh145 is the price of a ticket

Simran

Director Hansal Mehta

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey

Three stars

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Transgender report
SQUADS

India
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur

New Zealand
Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, George Worker, Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult

Reputation

Taylor Swift

(Big Machine Records)

World Mental Health Day
Teaching in coronavirus times
On Women's Day
Copa del Rey

Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)

UAE Premiership

Results

Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes

Final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, Friday, March 29, 5pm at The Sevens, Dubai

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20Znap%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarted%3A%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Uday%20Rathod%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%241m%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EInvestors%3A%20Family%2C%20friends%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Trump and Covid-19
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The national orchestra
Towering concerns
WORLD CUP FINAL

England v South Africa

Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo

Saturday, kick-off 1pm (UAE)

Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

The specs

Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 180hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 250Nm at 3,00rpm

Transmission: 5-speed sequential auto

Price: From Dh139,995

On sale: now

On Women's Day
Company Profile

Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Pakistan World Cup squad

Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain      

Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
  • Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
  • Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
  • The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
  • Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
  • It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
  • Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
  • Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Updated: January 18, 2023, 11:25 PM`
USRefugeesJoe Biden