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A28 u.s. news
Diasabra 31 Juli 2021

First evacuation flight brings 221 Afghans, many kids, to US

the interpreters, translators and oth- But a refugee agency said the Biden
ers on the flights out. The first evacu- administration appeared to be still But U.S. officials, speaking on the
ation flight, an airliner, carried 221 scrambling to work out the resettle- condition of anonymity to discuss
Afghans under the special visa pro- ment of thousands more of the Af- negotiations, said Friday that no deal
gram, including 57 children and 15 ghans, and it urged Biden to bring had been closed with those two coun-
infants, according to an internal U.S. them quickly to the U.S. or a U.S. tries. Concerns about housing Af-
government document obtained by territory, such as Guam. ghans who have not completed their
The Associated Press. security screenings and uncertainty
“We cannot in good conscience put on the American side about finding
It touched down in Dulles, Virginia, them at risk in third countries with funding for the massive relocation
just outside Washington, D.C., after unreliable human rights records, effort have remained obstacles, the
midnight, according to the FlightA- or where the Taliban may be able to U.S. officials said.
ware tracking service. reach them,” the resettlement official
said. Biden announced earlier this year the
Friday’s flight was “an important U.S. would withdraw all its troops
(AP) — The first flight evacuat- milestone as we continue to fulfill The Biden administration calls the from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, hon-
ing Afghans who worked along- our promise to the thousands of Af- effort Operation Allies Refuge. The oring a withdrawal agreement struck
side Americans in Afghanistan ghan nationals who served shoulder- operation has broad backing from by former President Donald Trump.
brought more than 200 people, to-shoulder with American troops Republican and Democratic law- He later said the U.S. military opera-
including scores of children and and diplomats over the last 20 years in makers and from veterans groups. tion would end on Aug. 31, calling it
babies in arms, to new lives in Afghanistan,” Biden said. He said he Supporters cite repeated instances of “overdue.” Some administration of-
the United States on Friday, and wanted to honor the military veter- Taliban forces targeting Afghans who ficials have expressed surprise at the
President Joe Biden said he was ans, diplomats and others in the U.S. worked with Americans or with the extent and speed of Taliban gains of
proud to welcome them home. who have advocated for the Afghans. Afghan government. territory in the countryside since
then.
The launch of the evacuation flights, Secretary of State Antony Blinken Congress on Thursday overwhelm-
bringing out former interpreters and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Aus- ingly approved legislation that would Biden said that although U.S. troops
and others who fear retaliation from tin lauded the Afghans for their work allow an additional 8,000 visas and are leaving Afghanistan, the U.S. will
Afghanistan’s Taliban for having alongside Americans and said their $500 million in funding for the Af- keep supporting Afghanistan through
worked with American troops and arrival demonstrates the U.S. govern- ghan visa program. security assistance to Afghan forces
civilians, highlights American uncer- ment’s commitment to them. and humanitarian and development
tainty about how Afghanistan’s gov- The United States has been talking aid to the Afghan people.
ernment and military will fare after Friday’s flight was all about “keeping with Qatar and Kuwait about tempo-
the last U.S. combat forces leave that promises,” said Will Fischer, an Iraq rarily hosting thousands of other Af- The newly arrived Afghan people will
country in the coming weeks. war veteran and an advocate on vet- ghan interpreters who are much fur- join 70,000 others who have resettled
eran’s issues. ther behind in their visa application in the United States since 2008 under
Family members are accompanying process than Friday’s arrivals. the special visa program.

Families paying off rent, food, debts with child tax credit

(AP) — Christina Darling said Walker, 29, who took annually for children under 45%. And it comes at a time the money may never reach
finally replaced her 2006 custody of her two siblings age 6 and $3,000 for children when unemployment ben- the neediest because their in-
Chevrolet Equinox after it last year after her mother ages 6 to 17. Eligible families efits are being phased out and comes are so low they aren’t
broke down several times overdosed. The $800 credit will receive $300 monthly for the federal eviction morato- required to file a tax return,
while picking her children will help make up for losses each child under 6 and $250 rium is set to expire Saturday. they don’t have a fixed ad-
up from day care. But the she incurred after quitting a per older child. dress or bank account, or
31-year-old mother of two kitchen design job to care for The payments are also a test don’t have the internet savvy
was struggling to keep up the five youngsters, ages 3 to Advocates argue the monthly case of sorts. Biden ultimate- to apply.
with the car payments. 19. payments make more sense ly would like to make them
for low-income families. permanent — and the impact Families who do receive the
Brianne Walker desperately Biden increased the amounts they have could go a long way credit are mostly spending it
wanted to take her three chil- going to families and expand- “One of the problems with to shaping that debate later on rent, child care and gro-
dren and two siblings camp- ed it to include those whose the big check in a year, if your this year. ceries, as well as catching up
ing for the first time but income is so little they don’t car broke six months before, on cellphone and other bills.
wasn’t sure how she could owe taxes. The benefits be- that is a long time to wait,” “It infuses money into the For Darling, the $550 she
pay for it. After all, she was gin to phase out at incomes said Michael Reinke, execu- family home,” said Suzanne gets will go to car payments,
behind on her rent, and day of $75,000 for individuals, tive director of the Nashua Torregano, director of Family more fresh produce and a
care and grocery costs were $112,500 for heads of house- Soup Kitchen & Shelter, Services at Kingsley House in babysitter so she can attend
adding up. hold and $150,000 for mar- which serves many families New Orleans, who estimated Nashua Board of Education
ried couples. Families with making less than $26,000 a that 85%-90% of the parents meetings. She is running for
Then, the two women from incomes up to $200,000 for year. the group serves are getting a seat on the board. Eventu-
New Hampshire got a sur- individuals and $400,000 for the monthly payments. ally, she hopes to put money
prise in their bank accounts married couples can still re- Robin McKinney, co-found- aside to save for a home with
this month. They qualified ceive the previous $2,000 er and CEO of the CASH Still, some advocates argue a yard.
for the expanded child tax credit. Campaign of Maryland, a
credit, part of President Joe Baltimore nonprofit organi-
Biden’s $1.9 trillion corona- In the past, eligible families zation that helps low-income
virus relief package. Families got a credit after filing their residents file taxes, said the
on average are getting $423 taxes — either as a lump credit is providing people
this month; the Treasury sum payment or a credit money in their pockets now,
Department estimates that against taxes owed. But now when they need it most.
35.2 million families received six months of payments are
payments in July. being advanced monthly If all the money goes out,
through the end of the year. the expectation is that could
A recipient receives the sec- significantly reduce poverty
“The additional money does ond half when they file their — with one study estimating
help alleviate the pressure,” taxes. The credit is $3,600 it could cut child poverty by