usatoday--2020-07-21--First MLB player to kneel during national anthem applauds Giants, Gabe Kapler for shining light on i

Bruce Maxwell , on a hike Monday evening in San Diego , looked at the Twitter notification shown by his agent , did a double-take , and broke into a slow , expansive grin .
Then , he tried not to cry .
“ There was a lot of joy in my heart honestly , there was a lot of relief , '' Maxwell told USA TODAY Sports , “ and there was a lot of emotion .
“ Just seeing the spreading of awareness , that people are seeing the injustice of humanity in our country , and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was so joyous for me.
’ ’ San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler and several Giants players and staff , became the first members of a Major League Baseball team to kneel during the national anthem since Maxwell in September 2017 .
“ If I was there , I would give Kapler a big hug , shake his hand , and tell him I ’ m honored to be next to him , '' Maxwell said .
“ That was a big step .
For somebody in that position , to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable in that situation and stand for what is right , is big for humanity .
“ It ’ s nothing to do with the flag , not the military , it ’ s a message standing up for the right cause.
’ ’ Kapler is not only the first MLB manager to kneel during the national anthem , but he also is believed to be the first head coach in any of the four major North American sports leagues to protest racial injustice in that manner .
Kapler , in his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outspoken on racial injustice and Black Lives Matter since George Floyd was killed in May .
He had spoken to his players and staff members for the past three days , even reaching out to other organizations , and Monday informed his players that he intended to kneel before the game .
He told them he would support their decision to kneel or stand for the anthem .
“ I wanted them to know that I wasn ’ t pleased with the way our country has handled police brutality , '' Kapler said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I told them that I wanted to amplify their voices and I wanted to amplify the voice of the Black community , and marginalized communities as well .
“ And so I told them I wanted to use my platform to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with the way we ’ ve handled racism in our country .
I wanted to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with our clear systemic racism in our country .
“ I wanted them to know they ’ ve got to make their own decisions .
And we would respect and support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel safe in speaking up .
We ’ ve had these discussions the last several days and we will continue to have them . ''
Opening Day : Dr. Anthony Fauci to throw out first pitch for Nationals-Yankees opener 'Herculean task ' : As MLB navigates COVID-19 , trainers and doctors are first line of defense Kapler wouldn ’ t reveal if he would continue to kneel , or if there will be additional players kneeling in the future .
The Giants who knelt , on the same field as Maxwell three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater , and first base coach Antoan Richardson .
“ Our coaching staff and our organization told them we would support any statement they wanted to make , '' Kapler said .
“ If they kneel for the anthem , we would support that .
If they stood for the anthem , we would support that , too .
And we wouldn ’ t pass judgement on them for making any statement or standing up for what they believe in , or expressing themselves . ''
No Giants ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call after the game because of time constraints needing to leave the Coliseum one hour after the game , but Giants outfielder Austin Slater released a statement .
“ I ’ ve been taking time to educate myself over the past month about social injustice towards people of color in this country , ’ ’ Slater said .
“ Simply put , things need to change .
Every person , no matter their skin color , have the fundamental right to expect the same experiences and treatment free from prejudices in this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect and am thankful to all that are serving and have served .
I mean no disrespect or am trying to belittle their sacrifice .
When I reflectd on my life and my experiences I was unaware of the privilege and safety that came with the color of my skin .
I strongly believe change needs to happen and believe this is the proper way to demonstrate my beliefs on the subject.
’ ’ Giants starter Kevin Gausman also confirmed Kapler ’ s message to the team in an interview during the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody ’ s option , ” Gausman said .
“ His biggest thing is whatever side you ’ re on , whether you decide to stand or kneel for whatever reason , that he was going to stand by us .
I think that ’ s important right now.
” The Giants won ’ t be the only team protesting the racial injustices in this country .
There will be other teams kneeling and displaying their beliefs with the season starting Thursday .
Angels pitcher Keynan Middleton took a knee and raised his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Los Angeles ' exhibition game Monday against San Diego .
The Padres , led by rookie Taylor Trammell , are expected to stand for the national anthem but with their hands behind their back .
Cleveland has been standing with their arms on each other ’ s shoulders for the past two exhibition games .
“ I don ’ t really know what to expect when the season starts , '' Maxwell said .
“ I don ’ t expect anybody to kneel if they don ’ t believe in their heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
If two people do it , great .
If 100 people do it even better .
“ People have different feelings on it now.
’ ’ Maxwell has spent the past two years playing for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League .
Their season was canceled earlier this month because of COVID-19 .
“ The reaction from the fans and the death threats to his family was just too much to handle , '' said Lonnie Murray , Maxwell ’ s agent , of Maxwell 's protest in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that.
’ ’ Said Maxwell : “ I didn ’ t have anybody to help me .
I was by myself , dealing with threats every day.
’ ’ Now , players are speaking out .
White players like three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw have been outspoken about Black Lives Matter .
MLB even tweeted a 13-second video clip of the Giants kneeling with the hashtag : # BlackLivesMatter .
“ I think it will be amazing for the cause , '' Maxwell said .
“ It ’ s the message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our sport that we ’ re a community , and we fight for everybody . ''
And just in case anyone wondered how the Giants ’ management felt , Farhan Zaidi , president of baseball operations , sent out a statement after the game .
“ We ’ re proud of our players and staff for continuing to participate in the national conversation about racial injustice .
We support those who knelt to peacefully protest racial injustice and those who stood to express love of country .
We do not see these as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to express both is what our country is about .
As an organization we reaffirm our denouncement of acts of discrimination and violence against the members of the Black community and our pledge to work together with those who seek to end racial injustice in America.
’ ’ The Giants sent a message that reverberated throughout baseball .
“ I think tonight was a good start , '' Kapler said .
“ I ’ m extremely proud of our players and staff for making both decisions .
Everyone in our clubhouse , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was very thoughtful of their choice .

First MLB player to kneel during national anthem applauds Giants, Gabe Kapler for shining light on injustice
Show Caption Hide Caption Everything to know heading into a strange MLB Opening Day SportsPulse: Baseball is finally here. For real. It's MLB's opening week, and USA TODAY Sports' Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the top story lines that will define this unprecedented season. USA TODAY
Bruce Maxwell, on a hike Monday evening in San Diego, looked at the Twitter notification shown by his agent, did a double-take, and broke into a slow, expansive grin.
Then, he tried not to cry.
“There was a lot of joy in my heart honestly, there was a lot of relief," Maxwell told USA TODAY Sports, “and there was a lot of emotion.
“Just seeing the spreading of awareness, that people are seeing the injustice of humanity in our country, and for people now standing up to it, that was so joyous for me.’’
San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler and several Giants players and staff, became the first members of a Major League Baseball team to kneel during the national anthem since Maxwell in September 2017.
“If I was there, I would give Kapler a big hug, shake his hand, and tell him I’m honored to be next to him," Maxwell said. “That was a big step. For somebody in that position, to put his title aside, to make himself vulnerable in that situation and stand for what is right, is big for humanity.
“It’s nothing to do with the flag, not the military, it’s a message standing up for the right cause.’’
Kapler is not only the first MLB manager to kneel during the national anthem, but he also is believed to be the first head coach in any of the four major North American sports leagues to protest racial injustice in that manner.
Kapler, in his first year as Giants manager, had been outspoken on racial injustice and Black Lives Matter since George Floyd was killed in May. He had spoken to his players and staff members for the past three days, even reaching out to other organizations, and Monday informed his players that he intended to kneel before the game. He told them he would support their decision to kneel or stand for the anthem.
“I wanted them to know that I wasn’t pleased with the way our country has handled police brutality," Kapler said during his postgame press conference. “I told them that I wanted to amplify their voices and I wanted to amplify the voice of the Black community, and marginalized communities as well.
“And so I told them I wanted to use my platform to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with the way we’ve handled racism in our country. I wanted to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with our clear systemic racism in our country.
“I wanted them to know they’ve got to make their own decisions. And we would respect and support those decisions. I wanted them to feel safe in speaking up. We’ve had these discussions the last several days and we will continue to have them."
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'Herculean task': As MLB navigates COVID-19, trainers and doctors are first line of defense
Kapler wouldn’t reveal if he would continue to kneel, or if there will be additional players kneeling in the future. The Giants who knelt, on the same field as Maxwell three years ago, were outfielders Jaylin Davis, Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater, and first base coach Antoan Richardson.
“Our coaching staff and our organization told them we would support any statement they wanted to make," Kapler said. “If they kneel for the anthem, we would support that. If they stood for the anthem, we would support that, too. And we wouldn’t pass judgement on them for making any statement or standing up for what they believe in, or expressing themselves."
No Giants’ players were made available on a zoom call after the game because of time constraints needing to leave the Coliseum one hour after the game, but Giants outfielder Austin Slater released a statement.
“I’ve been taking time to educate myself over the past month about social injustice towards people of color in this country,’’ Slater said. “Simply put, things need to change. Every person, no matter their skin color, have the fundamental right to expect the same experiences and treatment free from prejudices in this country and around the world.
“I respect and am thankful to all that are serving and have served. I mean no disrespect or am trying to belittle their sacrifice. When I reflectd on my life and my experiences I was unaware of the privilege and safety that came with the color of my skin. I strongly believe change needs to happen and believe this is the proper way to demonstrate my beliefs on the subject.’’
Giants starter Kevin Gausman also confirmed Kapler’s message to the team in an interview during the game.
“He said it’s everybody’s option,” Gausman said. “His biggest thing is whatever side you’re on, whether you decide to stand or kneel for whatever reason, that he was going to stand by us. I think that’s important right now.”
The Giants won’t be the only team protesting the racial injustices in this country. There will be other teams kneeling and displaying their beliefs with the season starting Thursday.
Angels pitcher Keynan Middleton took a knee and raised his fist during the playing of the anthem before Los Angeles' exhibition game Monday against San Diego.
The Padres, led by rookie Taylor Trammell, are expected to stand for the national anthem but with their hands behind their back. Cleveland has been standing with their arms on each other’s shoulders for the past two exhibition games.
Keynan Middleton kneeled and raised his fist during the national anthem prior to tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/eHt7IdmNKA — Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 21, 2020
“I don’t really know what to expect when the season starts," Maxwell said. “I don’t expect anybody to kneel if they don’t believe in their heart it’s the right thing to do. If two people do it, great. If 100 people do it even better.
“People have different feelings on it now.’’
Maxwell has spent the past two years playing for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. Their season was canceled earlier this month because of COVID-19.
“The reaction from the fans and the death threats to his family was just too much to handle," said Lonnie Murray, Maxwell’s agent, of Maxwell's protest in 2017. "He was just not equipped for that.’’
Said Maxwell: “I didn’t have anybody to help me. I was by myself, dealing with threats every day.’’
Now, players are speaking out. White players like three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw have been outspoken about Black Lives Matter. MLB even tweeted a 13-second video clip of the Giants kneeling with the hashtag: #BlackLivesMatter.
In this together. pic.twitter.com/pNizLNdHOG — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 16, 2020
“I think it will be amazing for the cause," Maxwell said. “It’s the message. There’s growing unity in our sport that we’re a community, and we fight for everybody."
And just in case anyone wondered how the Giants’ management felt, Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations, sent out a statement after the game.
“We’re proud of our players and staff for continuing to participate in the national conversation about racial injustice. We support those who knelt to peacefully protest racial injustice and those who stood to express love of country. We do not see these as mutually exclusive sentiments and believe the freedom to express both is what our country is about. As an organization we reaffirm our denouncement of acts of discrimination and violence against the members of the Black community and our pledge to work together with those who seek to end racial injustice in America.’’
The Giants sent a message that reverberated throughout baseball.
“I think tonight was a good start," Kapler said. “I’m extremely proud of our players and staff for making both decisions. Everyone in our clubhouse, on the field, and in this ballpark was very thoughtful of their choice.
“And I’m proud of that."
Follow Nightengale on Twitter: @Bnightengale


usatoday--2020-07-21--More than 300,000 immigrants may not become citizens in time to vote as COVID-19 stalls process

PHOENIX – Alex Beric , a 44-year-old immigrant from England , applied for naturalization in May 2019 .
He was hoping to become a U.S. citizen in time to vote in the presidential election this November .
But now he is one of more than 300,000 immigrants at risk of not becoming citizens in time to cast ballots after the federal agency in charge of processing naturalization applications suspended in-person interviews and oath ceremonies this spring amid the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It would be fairly disappointing , '' said Beric , who came to the U.S. in 2004 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I have made our life here .
We have no intention to return to England , so it would be nice to take part in local and federal elections . ''
U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services , the agency that processes immigration benefits , notified Beric in early March that his naturalization interview , which is done in-person , had been scheduled for April 21 .
Shortly after , Beric said he received another notification that his naturalization interview would be rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
More than three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager , is still waiting for his naturalization interview to be rescheduled .
Meanwhile , time is running out .
The deadline in Arizona to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general election is Oct. 8 , according to the Arizona Secretary of State 's Office .
A big budget shortfall only got worse with the pandemic In March , U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services announced all in-person naturalization interviews had been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic , said Randy Capps , director of research for U.S. programs at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research organization .
The agency also suspended naturalization oath ceremonies , the final step immigrants go through to become U.S. citizens after passing their naturalization interview , Capps said .
USCIS resumed oath ceremonies in June .
But the agency apparently still has not resumed in-person naturalization interviews .
What 's more , USCIS , which operates mostly on the application fees it collects from immigrants applying for naturalization and other immigration benefits , is facing a huge budget shortfall .
The shortfall started last year , but was worsened by the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result , more than two-thirds of the agency 's staff are facing furloughs starting in August unless the agency receives a bailout from Congress .
The agency is asking Congress for $ 1.2 billion to cover the fiscal crunch .
The furloughs could further hamper efforts to plow through the huge backlogs of immigrants waiting to be naturalized , Capps said .
2020 election : Election lawsuits set record pace amid COVID-19 pandemic as results decide who votes and how Nov. 3 '' Everyone who does n't get an oath ceremony or does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October obviously is not going to be able to vote in the next election , at least in Arizona , '' Capps said .
Voter registration deadlines vary by state .
In most states , the deadline is in October .
A handful of states allow voters to register in person on Election Day .
About 315,000 immigrants may not be able to vote in the November election because their citizenship applications wo n't be completed in time , according to an analysis of previous USCIS data by Boundless Immigration , a technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
The estimate is based on the 63,000 immigrants who typically complete in-person naturalization ceremonies and oath ceremonies a month .
There is typically a two-month lag between the in-person interview and going through the oath ceremony , the final step to becoming a U.S. citizen .
Protests , reforms : We looked at protester demands from across the nation and compared them with recent police reforms .
Although USCIS reopened in June , few , if any , in person naturalization interviews have been rescheduled , said Boundless CEO Xiao Wang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
In 2018 , more than 700,000 immigrants became citizens That leaves a backlog of five months of potential U.S. citizens who are on hold , Wang said .
`` We think that over 300,000 immigrants won ’ t be able to become U.S. citizens in time who otherwise would have been able to become citizens in time to vote , '' Wang said .
About 761,000 immigrants became U.S. citizens in fiscal year 2018 , according the most recent Department of Homeland Security data .
Wang said USCIS has missed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for naturalization by switching from in-person interviews and oath ceremonies to handling those functions remotely , just as many schools and companies have adjusted during the pandemic .
As a result , many immigrants will be denied the opportunity to feel like they are fully American by not being able to vote , Wang said .
Shortened ceremony , but 'my best day in the world' On a recent Friday morning , Aden Bashir Hillowle , a 57-year-old immigrant from Somalia , strolled out of the Sandra Day O'Connor U.S .
Courthouse in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a truck driver , wearing maroon and gold mask over his face , had raised his right hand and recited a 140-word oath swearing allegiance to the United States .
And with that he had become a U.S. citizen .
The ceremony , however , had been bittersweet .
Because of COVID-19 precautions , Hillowle 's was not allowed to bring any guests to witness the ceremony .
That meant his wife and nine children had to stay home .
The ceremony was also unusually brief .
After the oath was administered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a judge said a few congratulatory remarks and they were done , he said .
Each new citizen also had to stand at least 6 feet apart .
There was no hugging or handshakes .
He was originally scheduled to take the oath ceremony on March 12 .
But then USCIS notified him that his ceremony had been suspended .
He received notice on June 26 that his ceremony had been rescheduled to July 10 .
Hillowle said he was headed home to meet his wife and children .
He had rented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrate with a trip to California .
`` Actually , this is my best day in the world , '' said Hillowle , clutching his naturalization certificate in his hand .
3 new citizens plan to vote for Trump Several new citizens interviewed outside the federal courthouse on July 10 said voting in the November election was one of the main reasons they applied for citizenship this year .
Wang said immigrants tend to vote Democratic , which may give the Trump administration less incentive to work through the backlog of immigrants waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , three of the four new citizens interviewed at the federal courthouse in Phoenix , including Hillowle , said they planned to vote for President Trump .
The fourth declined to say how she planned to vote .
Before the COVID-19 pandemic , new citizens could register to vote at tables set up by election officials outside the courtroom .
But the new citizens said there were no voter registration tables there when they left the courtroom .
`` It 's really good timing because I can vote now , '' said Saha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Bosnia and Herzegovina .
Cendie Taylor , a 54-year-old immigrant from the Philippines , said she was scheduled to take the citizenship oath on March 10 .
But then it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I was a little bit worried '' it would not be rescheduled in time to vote , she said .
She was relieved when she was notified a week before that her ceremony had been rescheduled for July 10 .
She described the ceremony as `` short , solemn and heartwarming . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote .
`` I 'm very excited , '' she said . '
I do n't think I 'm fake news ' : Highlights from Chris Wallace 's contentious interview with Trump Study : Black children are more likely to die after surgery than their white peers

More than 300,000 immigrants may not become citizens in time to vote as COVID-19 stalls process
Show Caption Hide Caption Why voter suppression in the US has increased since 2013 Civil rights experts point to long wait times to vote as a sign of growing voter suppression in the U.S. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
PHOENIX – Alex Beric, a 44-year-old immigrant from England, applied for naturalization in May 2019. He was hoping to become a U.S. citizen in time to vote in the presidential election this November.
But now he is one of more than 300,000 immigrants at risk of not becoming citizens in time to cast ballots after the federal agency in charge of processing naturalization applications suspended in-person interviews and oath ceremonies this spring amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"It would be fairly disappointing," said Beric, who came to the U.S. in 2004 and lives in Gilbert. "My wife and I have made our life here. We have no intention to return to England, so it would be nice to take part in local and federal elections."
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that processes immigration benefits, notified Beric in early March that his naturalization interview, which is done in-person, had been scheduled for April 21.
Shortly after, Beric said he received another notification that his naturalization interview would be rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
More than three months later, Beric, a software product manager, is still waiting for his naturalization interview to be rescheduled.
Meanwhile, time is running out. The deadline in Arizona to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general election is Oct. 8, according to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.
A big budget shortfall only got worse with the pandemic
In March, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced all in-person naturalization interviews had been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, said Randy Capps, director of research for U.S. programs at the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit research organization.
The agency also suspended naturalization oath ceremonies, the final step immigrants go through to become U.S. citizens after passing their naturalization interview, Capps said.
USCIS resumed oath ceremonies in June and is conducting in-person naturalization interviews, an agency spokesperson said.
“Since resuming in-person services on June 4, our first priority has been to conduct naturalization ceremonies for those whose ceremonies were postponed due to the temporary COVID-related closures. We have also prioritized rescheduling interviews for naturalization and adjustment of status that were postponed," Jessica Collins, the USCIS spokesperson, said.
"We’ve reopened our offices in accordance with the CDC’s guidelines. ... We are conducting naturalization interviews and are committed to conducting as many interviews as we can in manner that is safe for our staff and for the public.”
What's more, USCIS, which operates mostly on the application fees it collects from immigrants applying for naturalization and other immigration benefits, faces a huge budget shortfall. The shortfall started last year, but was worsened by the pandemic, Capps said.
As a result, more than two-thirds of the agency's staff are facing furloughs starting in August unless the agency receives a bailout from Congress. The agency is asking Congress for $1.2 billion to cover the fiscal crunch. The furloughs could further hamper efforts to plow through the huge backlogs of immigrants waiting to be naturalized, Capps said.
2020 election: Election lawsuits set record pace amid COVID-19 pandemic as results decide who votes and how Nov. 3
"Everyone who doesn't get an oath ceremony or doesn't get a completed application process by October obviously is not going to be able to vote in the next election, at least in Arizona," Capps said.
Voter registration deadlines vary by state. In most states, the deadline is in October. A handful of states allow voters to register in person on Election Day.
About 315,000 immigrants may not be able to vote in the November election because their citizenship applications won't be completed in time, according to an analysis of previous USCIS data by Boundless Immigration, a technology company that helps immigrants navigate the system.
The estimate is based on the 63,000 immigrants who typically complete in-person naturalization ceremonies and oath ceremonies a month. There is typically a two-month lag between the in-person interview and going through the oath ceremony, the final step to becoming a U.S. citizen.
Protests, reforms: We looked at protester demands from across the nation and compared them with recent police reforms.
Although USCIS reopened in June, few, if any, in person naturalization interviews have been rescheduled, said Boundless CEO Xiao Wang.
In 2018, more than 700,000 immigrants became citizens
That leaves a backlog of five months of potential U.S. citizens who are on hold, Wang said.
"We think that over 300,000 immigrants won’t be able to become U.S. citizens in time who otherwise would have been able to become citizens in time to vote," Wang said.
About 761,000 immigrants became U.S. citizens in fiscal year 2018, according the most recent Department of Homeland Security data.
Wang said USCIS has missed out on an opportunity to modernize the process for naturalization by switching from in-person interviews and oath ceremonies to handling those functions remotely, just as many schools and companies have adjusted during the pandemic.
As a result, many immigrants will be denied the opportunity to feel like they are fully American by not being able to vote, Wang said.
Shortened ceremony, but 'my best day in the world'
On a recent Friday morning, Aden Bashir Hillowle, a 57-year-old immigrant from Somalia, strolled out of the Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse in downtown Phoenix.
Minutes earlier, Hillowle, a truck driver, wearing maroon and gold mask over his face, had raised his right hand and recited a 140-word oath swearing allegiance to the United States.
And with that he had become a U.S. citizen.
The ceremony, however, had been bittersweet.
Because of COVID-19 precautions, Hillowle was not allowed to bring any guests to witness the ceremony. That meant his wife and nine children had to stay home.
The ceremony was also unusually brief. After the oath was administered, new citizens were handed their certificates, a judge said a few congratulatory remarks and they were done, he said. Each new citizen also had to stand at least 6 feet apart. There was no hugging or handshakes.
He was originally scheduled to take the oath ceremony on March 12. But then USCIS notified him that his ceremony had been suspended. He received notice on June 26 that his ceremony had been rescheduled to July 10.
Hillowle said he was headed home to meet his wife and children. He had rented a van and the family planned to celebrate with a trip to California.
"Actually, this is my best day in the world," said Hillowle, clutching his naturalization certificate in his hand.
3 new citizens plan to vote for Trump
Several new citizens interviewed outside the federal courthouse on July 10 said voting in the November election was one of the main reasons they applied for citizenship this year.
Wang said immigrants tend to vote Democratic, which may give the Trump administration less incentive to work through the backlog of immigrants waiting to complete the citizenship process. However, three of the four new citizens interviewed at the federal courthouse in Phoenix, including Hillowle, said they planned to vote for President Donald Trump. The fourth declined to say how she planned to vote.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, new citizens could register to vote at tables set up by election officials outside the courtroom. But the new citizens said there were no voter registration tables there when they left the courtroom.
"It's really good timing because I can vote now," said Saha Bektas, a 34-year-old truck driver originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Cendie Taylor, a 54-year-old immigrant from the Philippines, said she was scheduled to take the citizenship oath on March 10.
But then it was postponed because of the pandemic.
"I was a little bit worried" it would not be rescheduled in time to vote, she said.
She was relieved when she was notified a week before that her ceremony had been rescheduled for July 10.
She described the ceremony as "short, solemn and heartwarming."
And now she will get the chance to vote.
"I'm very excited," she said.
Follow reporter Daniel Gonzalez on Twitter @azdangonzalez.
'I don't think I'm fake news': Highlights from Chris Wallace's contentious interview with Trump
Study: Black children are more likely to die after surgery than their white peers


usatoday--2020-07-21--Trump, Ginsburg and the democracy emergency: It's here and minority rule is the culprit

How did we end up with the rights of millions of Americans and the fate of American democracy dangling on one cancer prone , 87-year-old Supreme Court justice ?
The same way we ended up with a president too busy with corruption , Confederate flags and cans of beans to fight a pandemic .
A thoroughly compromised attorney general echoing the president ’ s lies about mail-in voting in order to preemptively attack the legitimacy of an election .
And a cowardly Senate majority that refused its responsibility to remove this president days before the pandemic took a turn for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The reason we ’ re drowning in multiple messes is embarrassingly simple : Minority rule .
Republicans have hacked our democracy beyond accountability .
And now that they ’ re one cancerous liver away from getting everything they want , they have a leader who refuses to be checked and a party that refuses to check him .
Think about the extent of our government 's disconnection from America .
The “ president ” lost the popular vote by the biggest percentage in 140 years .
We have a Supreme Court “ majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidents elected from 1988 to 2016 , though Republicans have only won the presidential popular vote twice over that period as Democrats won it six times .
And the Senate Republican “ majority ” represents 15 million fewer Americans than our `` minority '' Democrats .
A withering minority propped up by polluters , profiteers , and theocrats can maintain power despite repellent policies and a record of undeniable failures that swells daily , like new cases of COVID-19 .
This minority has figured out that as long as they hold the presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can create a septic system of corruption that allows them to minimize the power of voters , especially the voters they don ’ t want to even try to win over .
Minority rule has become such a given that we rarely even talk about how it warps our politics .
Almost no one doubts that Joe Biden will win the popular vote this November , possibly by millions of votes , yet everyone knows there is an undeniable possibility that Donald Trump could slip through the Electoral College to another term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could easily be due to restrictions on voting passed by legislative “ majorities ” in states like Wisconsin and North Carolina — where Republicans hold more seats despite winning fewer votes .
Any president with a party that has rigged reality for its pleasure would be dangerous at this point .
But a failing Trump , who spent months contesting an election he “ won , ” presents an existential risk to democracy , especially when he ’ s surrounded by a force field of minority rule .
You have to ask yourself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order '' to defending Confederate monuments , is working so hard to please people who already support him and alienate the rest — and why he is actively opposing efforts to contain this pandemic .
Some of it is strategy , sure .
He ’ s always aimed to just be the president of the United White People , and COVID-19 disproportionately kills Latino and black Americans .
Voting Rights : Honor John Lewis with a Senate vote on the voting rights he fought for his whole life But maybe there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Are the federal stormtroopers , who appear to be rounding up protesters in Oregon , a preview of voter intimidation tactics in November ?
And why does Trump keep rewarding Vladimir Putin , despite the possibility that Russia put bounties on the heads of our soldiers ?
Does it involve some promise for the upcoming election ?
Maybe this president isn ’ t planning on leaving office , regardless of how this election turns out .
Who 's going to stop him ?
The Republican senators who acquitted him of an obvious crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump and his troops of “ acting ” officials ?
The Republican legislatures that pioneered the recent hijacking of our democracy ?
Attorney General William Barr , whose belief in the limitlessness of Republican executive power may even exceed Trump ’ s ?
How about the Supreme Court ?
Will you bet your democracy on the court that let Trump get away with hiding his taxes until after the election ?
Chief Justice John Roberts was the key vote in gutting the Voting Rights Act in 2013 , and has been the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rulings , all wins for Republicans , that restrict voting and force people to risk COVID-19 infection to vote .
Trump reelection : The odds stood against Lincoln for reelection as the Civil War raged on .
Will history repeat itself in 2020 ?
The emergency is here .
And minority rule is the culprit .
All we can do now is get every American alive to turn in a ballot as soon as humanly possible .
And then , should we be courageous and focused enough to get through this emergency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work looks like restoring the Voting Rights Act in honor of John Lewis .
It looks like statehood for Washington and the option of statehood for Puerto Rico .
It could even look like a remaking of the Supreme Court so it resembles the will of the people .
And , should we be so lucky , it looks like Ruth Bader Ginsburg having the option to retire in peace .
Jason Sattler , a writer based in Ann Arbor , Michigan , is a member of USA TODAY ’ s Board of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Show '' podcast .
Follow him on Twitter : @ LOLGOP

Trump, Ginsburg and the democracy emergency: It's here and minority rule is the culprit Trump and Republicans have hacked our democracy beyond accountability and now they're one cancerous liver away from getting everything they want.
Show Caption Hide Caption Why voter suppression in the US has increased since 2013 Civil rights experts point to long wait times to vote as a sign of growing voter suppression in the U.S. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
How did we end up with the rights of millions of Americans and the fate of American democracy dangling on one cancer prone, 87-year-old Supreme Court justice?
The same way we ended up with a president too busy with corruption, Confederate flags and cans of beans to fight a pandemic. A thoroughly compromised attorney general echoing the president’s lies about mail-in voting in order to preemptively attack the legitimacy of an election. And a cowardly Senate majority that refused its responsibility to remove this president days before the pandemic took a turn for the worse — the first time.
The reason we’re drowning in multiple messes is embarrassingly simple: Minority rule.
Republicans have hacked our democracy beyond accountability. And now that they’re one cancerous liver away from getting everything they want, they have a leader who refuses to be checked and a party that refuses to check him.
Think about the extent of our government's disconnection from America.
Minority rule is warping politics
The “president” lost the popular vote by the biggest percentage in 140 years. We have a Supreme Court “majority” of five justices appointed by Republican presidents elected from 1988 to 2016, though Republicans have only won the presidential popular vote twice over that period as Democrats won it six times. And the Senate Republican “majority” represents 15 million fewer Americans than our "minority" Democrats.
A withering minority propped up by polluters, profiteers, and theocrats can maintain power despite repellent policies and a record of undeniable failures that swells daily, like new cases of COVID-19. This minority has figured out that as long as they hold the presidency, the Senate and Supreme Court, they can create a septic system of corruption that allows them to minimize the power of voters, especially the voters they don’t want to even try to win over.
Minority rule has become such a given that we rarely even talk about how it warps our politics.
Almost no one doubts that Joe Biden will win the popular vote this November, possibly by millions of votes, yet everyone knows there is an undeniable possibility that Donald Trump could slip through the Electoral College to another term. And if he does, it could easily be due to restrictions on voting passed by legislative “majorities” in states like Wisconsin and North Carolina — where Republicans hold more seats despite winning fewer votes.
Any president with a party that has rigged reality for its pleasure would be dangerous at this point. But a failing Trump, who spent months contesting an election he “won,” presents an existential risk to democracy, especially when he’s surrounded by a force field of minority rule.
You have to ask yourself why Trump, from "law and order" to defending Confederate monuments, is working so hard to please people who already support him and alienate the rest — and why he is actively opposing efforts to contain this pandemic. Some of it is strategy, sure. He’s always aimed to just be the president of the United White People, and COVID-19 disproportionately kills Latino and black Americans.
Voting Rights: Honor John Lewis with a Senate vote on the voting rights he fought for his whole life
But maybe there’s something far more perilous at play.
Are the federal stormtroopers, who appear to be rounding up protesters in Oregon, a preview of voter intimidation tactics in November? And why does Trump keep rewarding Vladimir Putin, despite the possibility that Russia put bounties on the heads of our soldiers? Does it involve some promise for the upcoming election? Maybe this president isn’t planning on leaving office, regardless of how this election turns out.
Real work starts after the emergency
Who's going to stop him?
The Republican senators who acquitted him of an obvious crime and have surrendered their constitutional confirmation power to Trump and his troops of “acting” officials? The Republican legislatures that pioneered the recent hijacking of our democracy? Attorney General William Barr, whose belief in the limitlessness of Republican executive power may even exceed Trump’s?
How about the Supreme Court? Will you bet your democracy on the court that let Trump get away with hiding his taxes until after the election?
Chief Justice John Roberts was the key vote in gutting the Voting Rights Act in 2013, and has been the fifth vote in a series of recent rulings, all wins for Republicans, that restrict voting and force people to risk COVID-19 infection to vote.
Trump reelection: The odds stood against Lincoln for reelection as the Civil War raged on. Will history repeat itself in 2020?
The emergency is here. And minority rule is the culprit.
All we can do now is get every American alive to turn in a ballot as soon as humanly possible. And then, should we be courageous and focused enough to get through this emergency, the real work begins.
The real work looks like restoring the Voting Rights Act in honor of John Lewis. It looks like statehood for Washington and the option of statehood for Puerto Rico. It could even look like a remaking of the Supreme Court so it resembles the will of the people.
And, should we be so lucky, it looks like Ruth Bader Ginsburg having the option to retire in peace.
Jason Sattler, a writer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a member of USA TODAY’s Board of Contributors and host of "The GOTMFV Show" podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @LOLGOP


usatoday--2020-07-21--Opinion: We can picture athletes protesting at next summer's Olympics, but where do we draw the line

At a time of extraordinary protests and calls for social change and racial justice in the United States and around the world , it ’ s not difficult to picture hundreds of athletes taking a knee or raising a fist on the medal stand at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo , should those Games take place while we ’ re in a pandemic .
Such displays are not presently allowed at the Olympics , but international conversations about possible changes are taking place due to the fraught times in which we are living , with the Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s controversial and divisive presidency .
Nearly 52 years ago , at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics , Tommie Smith and John Carlos each raised an arm in a black-gloved protest on the medal stand during the playing of the U.S. national anthem .
They were met with derision and sent home .
Now , of course , they are American heroes .
WHAT 'S NEXT : What would have been unthinkable for 2020 Olympics just might come to pass in 2021 If conventional wisdom tells us the rules are changing and protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Olympics in 2021 , what exactly does that mean ?
An arm raised or a knee taken would be agreeable to many .
But no props , right ?
No pins .
No flags or banners or T-shirts with messages on them .
That could get messy .
The medal podium is where athletes who have just achieved the dream of a lifetime go to have their medal placed around their neck and hear the winner ’ s national anthem .
It ’ s a place of triumph and tears , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a unique place in sports – a destination , really – that can mean different things to the different athletes from the 206 nations that will be expected in Tokyo .
So , to keep it simple but allow freedom of expression , perhaps we all can agree the International Olympic Committee should allow physical movements or gestures while medals are handed out , flags are raised and the winner ’ s anthem is played .
Alright then .
How about a raised middle finger by , say , an Arab athlete during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ versa ?
Or by an American athlete angry at the U.S. government ’ s treatment of Black Lives Matter protesters during the playing of his or her anthem ?
Not peaceful , we say .
But can we get wholesale agreement on a raised arm being peaceful ?
That ’ s doubtful .
And having lived through the Colin Kaepernick story for four years , we know that Americans are not in agreement over his protest against racial injustice , even after George Floyd ’ s death .
Throw in 205 other nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the “ okay ” symbol , which has been hijacked as a message of white power ?
How about an athlete refusing to step onto the medal podium entirely as a sign of disrespect for the drug cheat who beat him or her ?
Or just a simple “ thumbs down ” by a silver medalist angry at losing to the gold medalist ?
Let ’ s take those in order .
“ White power ” is definitely out ; it would be admirable for a cheater to be shown up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a controversial place to do it ; and “ thumbs down ” is not respectful of a fellow competitor , so let ’ s not allow that one .
But consider this : how respectful is it to take a knee in earnest support of , say , Black Lives Matter if you didn ’ t win the gold medal ?
That ’ s not your anthem playing , yet your silent and polite protest has just drawn all the attention away from the person who won the gold who happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that spotlight will continue to be on the protester , not the winner , in countless interviews and press conferences long after they ’ ve left the podium .
It ’ s a fascinating conversation , which is why the IOC as of now still relies on Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter , which says , “ No kind of demonstration or political , religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites , venues or other areas.
” But if we see a rash of kneeling early in the Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to survive , which is why athletes around the world are in discussion now with Olympic leaders on this very topic .
IOC leaders are quick to point out that Olympic athletes already are able to speak out in many ways .
Their access to social media is unfettered , and they can say and do anything in interviews and press conferences before , during and after their events .
This might not sound like much until you consider the case of an athlete who played by these rules last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her sport ’ s biggest international event .
She didn ’ t take a knee during the U.S. anthem or the medal ceremony .
She stood at attention , arms behind her back , ramrod straight , while the anthem played .
Yet she is viewed as one of the most influential and successful protesters in sports history .
She stood up to Trump and his supporters on social media and in interviews , defying them at every turn .
While leading her nation to victory and winning every award she could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social and cultural platform , giving voice to her causes and concerns to this day .
So if it turns out that the world ’ s athletes are told they can not protest on the Olympic medal stand in 2021 , they still have their options .
Megan Rapinoe has shown them the way .

Opinion: We can picture athletes protesting at next summer's Olympics, but where do we draw the line?
Show Caption Hide Caption Olympic legend's remarkable life to be chronicled in documentary SportsPulse: Rulon Gardner's life has been filled with extreme highs and lows and the Olympic gold medal winning wrestler spoke with USA TODAY Sports about how he's managed it all through the years. USA TODAY
At a time of extraordinary protests and calls for social change and racial justice in the United States and around the world, it’s not difficult to picture hundreds of athletes taking a knee or raising a fist on the medal stand at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, should those Games take place while we’re in a pandemic.
Such displays are not presently allowed at the Olympics, but international conversations about possible changes are taking place due to the fraught times in which we are living, with the Black Lives Matter movement gaining traction during Donald Trump’s controversial and divisive presidency.
Nearly 52 years ago, at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith and John Carlos each raised an arm in a black-gloved protest on the medal stand during the playing of the U.S. national anthem. They were met with derision and sent home. Now, of course, they are American heroes.
WHAT'S NEXT: What would have been unthinkable for 2020 Olympics just might come to pass in 2021
If conventional wisdom tells us the rules are changing and protests just might be allowed should there be an Olympics in 2021, what exactly does that mean?
An arm raised or a knee taken would be agreeable to many. But no props, right? No pins. No flags or banners or T-shirts with messages on them. That could get messy. The medal podium is where athletes who have just achieved the dream of a lifetime go to have their medal placed around their neck and hear the winner’s national anthem. It’s a place of triumph and tears, of reflection and respect. It’s a unique place in sports – a destination, really – that can mean different things to the different athletes from the 206 nations that will be expected in Tokyo.
So, to keep it simple but allow freedom of expression, perhaps we all can agree the International Olympic Committee should allow physical movements or gestures while medals are handed out, flags are raised and the winner’s anthem is played.
Alright then. How about a raised middle finger by, say, an Arab athlete during the Israeli national anthem? Or vice versa? Or by an American athlete angry at the U.S. government’s treatment of Black Lives Matter protesters during the playing of his or her anthem?
Not peaceful, we say. But can we get wholesale agreement on a raised arm being peaceful? That’s doubtful. And having lived through the Colin Kaepernick story for four years, we know that Americans are not in agreement over his protest against racial injustice, even after George Floyd’s death. Throw in 205 other nations and well, good luck.
How about the “okay” symbol, which has been hijacked as a message of white power? How about an athlete refusing to step onto the medal podium entirely as a sign of disrespect for the drug cheat who beat him or her? Or just a simple “thumbs down” by a silver medalist angry at losing to the gold medalist?
Let’s take those in order. “White power” is definitely out; it would be admirable for a cheater to be shown up in such a high-profile way, although that’s a controversial place to do it; and “thumbs down” is not respectful of a fellow competitor, so let’s not allow that one.
But consider this: how respectful is it to take a knee in earnest support of, say, Black Lives Matter if you didn’t win the gold medal? That’s not your anthem playing, yet your silent and polite protest has just drawn all the attention away from the person who won the gold who happened to decide not to kneel. And that spotlight will continue to be on the protester, not the winner, in countless interviews and press conferences long after they’ve left the podium.
It’s a fascinating conversation, which is why the IOC as of now still relies on Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which says, “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
But if we see a rash of kneeling early in the Tokyo Games next year, Rule 50 is not going to survive, which is why athletes around the world are in discussion now with Olympic leaders on this very topic.
IOC leaders are quick to point out that Olympic athletes already are able to speak out in many ways. Their access to social media is unfettered, and they can say and do anything in interviews and press conferences before, during and after their events.
This might not sound like much until you consider the case of an athlete who played by these rules last year, not at the Olympics, but in her sport’s biggest international event. She didn’t take a knee during the U.S. anthem or the medal ceremony. She stood at attention, arms behind her back, ramrod straight, while the anthem played.
Yet she is viewed as one of the most influential and successful protesters in sports history. She stood up to Trump and his supporters on social media and in interviews, defying them at every turn. While leading her nation to victory and winning every award she could have won, she gained a tremendous social and cultural platform, giving voice to her causes and concerns to this day.
So if it turns out that the world’s athletes are told they cannot protest on the Olympic medal stand in 2021, they still have their options. Megan Rapinoe has shown them the way.


usatoday--2020-07-21--Visiting a reopened national park after lockdown? What to know before you go

The visitor newsletter at Wyoming 's Grand Teton National Park looks a little different than it did pre-COVID-19 .
In addition to warning about how certain facilities are closed for the summer because of the coronavirus pandemic , the handout features a picture of a cartoon buffalo wearing a blue surgical mask with a caption that says , “ Have you masked up ?
” As the National Park Service welcomes visitors to come enjoy nature again after three-month-long coronavirus closures , guests are encouraged ( by pamphlets and signs ) to wear masks .
And there are other new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to maintain a social distance from others and navigate limited amenities and fewer open trails than usual .
What else should you know about what it ’ s like to visit a reopened national park right now ?
Well , after my recent visits to Grand Teton and two other national parks in Wyoming ( Yellowstone and Devils Tower National Monument ) , Zion National Park in Utah and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota , I can say that visiting parks and being reminded of the country ’ s natural beauty is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's also a vacation that requires careful planning and consideration .
Here ’ s what to keep in mind before you go to a national park in the middle of a pandemic .
If you ’ re hoping to stay overnight in a national park campground , you ’ ll want to make a reservation right away on recreation.gov .
After all , national parks tend to be busy in the summer , and it 's not unusual for many to be booked up .
But with coronavirus prompting travelers to cancel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some openings .
Thanks to my partner/travel agent , who checked the park websites for openings several times a day , we were able to find and book spots at Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons about a month before our stay .
There are also first-come , first-serve camping spots available at many parks .
At the Grand Tetons , we were able to book one night at a reservation-only ground and then arrive early the next day for the walk-in campground before it was fully booked .
We also boondocked ( parked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or electric hookups ) near the Badlands .
RVing for the first time ?
8 tips for newbies I wish I 'd known during my first trip Keep in mind : Several national and state park campgrounds ( like ones we attempted to park at in Indiana ) require online bookings more than two days in advance .
So even if you think a spot might open up , you still may not be able to stay in it .
Check on available amenities – especially restroom and shower facilities – for specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still unavailable due to COVID-19 .
There was a public restroom available at Zion but none open at a Grand Teton campsite .
In many cases , showers and dish-washing stations were closed on campgrounds , and many local restaurants had limited hours .
Visitor center exhibits were generally closed .
The shuttle bus service at Zion wa n't running when we were there last month but has resumed this month .
If you would prefer to avoid large groups , rent bikes like we did .
But be smarter than us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you please ) more than two days ahead of time so as to not stress about long wait times and overwhelmed employees who , as they say in their shop voicemails , have never seen this kind of demand for bikes .
NPS shares alerts about park and amenity availability on its website , but the most up-to-date information comes straight from rangers whom you can , of course , still talk to , from a safe distance , inside the park .
Masks are recommended but not required It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face covering ( as opposed to a surgical mask , which could get sweaty ) on the trails , but masks are not explicitly required outside at the parks .
They are encouraged , however , and the NPS advises that guests socially distance and avoid crowded areas .
Mount Rushmore : Is n't it time to talk about its Native American history ?
Almost all NPS employees we encountered wore masks , except for a few rangers at Mount Rushmore .
As for the crowds , mask use varied by park .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 % of visitors wore them .
The number was around 15 % in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone , where trails tended to be wide enough to keep a 6-foot distance from other guests .
There was also plenty of space between visitors who gathered to watch bison graze and Old Faithful erupt .
Approximately 40 % of hikers had them on at the Badlands .
There wasone incidenton a trail at Yellowstone where a guest explicitly made fun of me for wearing a mask .
Thanks to the pandemic and regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this summer .
For example , Yellowstone has roads closed off , parts of Mount Rushmore are temporarily unavailable to tourists and certain Zion trails have been deemed unsafe for hiking .
This means the paths that are open are especially packed .
If you can handle the physical challenge , look for a less-crowded and more-difficult trail .
That way , your path wo n't be constantly blocked by selfie-snapping families and tourists .
So get out those hiking boots and trekking poles ( or carve a walking stick , like my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling up a snowy mountain in the Grand Tetons ) , and find the courage to explore less-congested beautiful spaces and all of their flora , fauna and geology .
Even as COVID-19 threatens life as we know it , nature in parks is thriving and mostly oblivious to invisible illness .

Visiting a reopened national park after lockdown? What to know before you go
Show Caption Hide Caption These are the most popular national parks in America According to the National Park Service, these were the top ten most visited parks in the U.S. 10Best Editors, USA TODAY 10Best
The visitor newsletter at Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park looks a little different than it did before COVID-19.
In addition to warning about how certain facilities are closed for the summer because of the coronavirus pandemic, the handout features a picture of a cartoon buffalo wearing a blue surgical mask with a caption that says, “Have you masked up?”
As the National Park Service welcomes visitors to come enjoy nature again after three-month-long coronavirus closures, guests are encouraged (by pamphlets and signs) to wear masks. And there are other new precautions, too: Visitors are asked to maintain a social distance from others and navigate limited amenities and fewer open trails than usual.
What else should you know about what it’s like to visit a reopened national park right now?
Well, after my recent visits to Grand Teton and two other national parks in Wyoming (Yellowstone and Devils Tower National Monument), Zion National Park in Utah and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, I can say that visiting parks and being reminded of the country’s natural beauty is a wonderful and life-affirming experience. But it's also a vacation that requires careful planning and consideration.
Here’s what to keep in mind before you go to a national park in the middle of a pandemic.
Keep checking for campground openings
If you hope to stay overnight in a national park campground, you’ll want to make a reservation right away on recreation.gov. After all, national parks tend to be busy in the summer, and it's not unusual for many to be booked up.
But with coronavirus prompting travelers to cancel and postpone plans, you may luck into some openings.
Thanks to my partner/travel agent, who checked the park websites for openings several times a day, we were able to find and book spots at Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons about a month before our stay.
There are also first-come, first-served camping spots available at many parks. At the Grand Tetons, we were able to book one night at a reservation-only ground and then arrive early the next day for the walk-in campground before it was fully booked. We also boondocked (parked our rented RV free without water or electric hookups) near the Badlands.
RVing for the first time? 8 tips for newbies I wish I'd known during my first trip
Keep in mind: Several national and state park campgrounds (like ones where we tried to park in Indiana) require online bookings more than two days in advance. So even if you think a spot might open up, you still may not be able to stay there.
Overnight amenities may be limited
Check on available amenities – especially restroom and shower facilities – for specific parks before you go, because many are still unavailable because of COVID-19.
There was a public restroom available at Zion but none open at a Grand Teton campsite. In many cases, showers and dishwashing stations were closed on campgrounds, and many local restaurants had limited hours. Visitor center exhibits were generally closed.
The shuttle bus service at Zion wan't running when we were there last month but has resumed this month. If you would prefer to avoid large groups, rent bikes like we did. But be smarter than us: Book the cycles (electric, if you please) more than two days ahead of time so as to not stress about long wait times and overwhelmed employees who, as they say in their shop voicemails, have never seen this kind of demand for bikes.
NPS shares alerts about park and amenity availability on its website, but the most up-to-date information comes straight from rangers whom you can, of course, still talk to, from a safe distance, inside the park.
Masks are recommended but not required
It’s a good idea to bring a cloth face covering (as opposed to a surgical mask, which could get sweaty) on the trails, but masks are not explicitly required outside at the parks. They are encouraged, however, and the park service advises that guests socially distance and avoid crowded areas.
Mount Rushmore: Isn't it time to talk about its Native American history?
Almost all park service employees we encountered wore masks, except for a few rangers at Mount Rushmore.
As for the crowds, mask use varied by park.
At Zion, we estimated fewer than 10% of visitors wore them. The number was about 15% in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, where trails tended to be wide enough to keep a 6-foot distance from other guests. There was also plenty of space between visitors who gathered to watch bison graze and Old Faithful erupt. About 40% of hikers had them on at the Badlands.
There was one incident on a trail at Yellowstone where a guest explicitly made fun of me for wearing a mask.
Plan ahead for closed trails
Thanks to the pandemic and regular construction, many routes are off limits this summer. For example, Yellowstone has roads closed off, parts of Mount Rushmore are temporarily unavailable to tourists and certain Zion trails have been deemed unsafe for hiking.
This means the paths that are open are especially packed. If you can handle the physical challenge, look for a less crowded and more difficult trail. That way, your path won't be constantly blocked by selfie-snapping families and tourists.
So get out those hiking boots and trekking poles (or carve a walking stick, like my partner/woodworker did for me when I was struggling up a snowy mountain in the Grand Tetons), and find the courage to explore less congested beautiful spaces and all of their flora, fauna and geology.
Even as COVID-19 threatens life as we know it, nature in parks is thriving.


usatoday--2020-07-21--New study finds the poor, Blacks and Latinos were less likely to receive stimulus checks

Blacks , Latinos and the poor less likely to receive stimulus checks A second round of stimulus checks are in @ @ @ @ @ new study says people who are poor , Black or Latino were less likely to @ @ @ @ @

Blacks, Latinos and the poor less likely to receive stimulus checks
A second round of stimulus checks are in the works, but a new study says people who are poor, Black or Latino were less likely to receive the $1,200.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-21--Joe Biden proposes $775 billion to expand, improve care for children, the elderly and disabled

Former Vice President Joe Biden will propose Tuesday to spend $ 775 billion over the next decade to expand and improve caregiving for children , the elderly and people with disabilities while creating 3 million new jobs as part of his economic recovery plans .
Biden ’ s goal as the presumptive Democratic nominee to challenge President Donald Trump is two-fold : to take better care of caregivers , which in turn would free other members of families to enter or return to the workforce .
Funding for the proposals would come from eliminating a Trump-supported tax cut for real-estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year and by better enforcement of existing tax laws against the wealthy .
Trump has warned voters against electing Biden and other Democrats who he said would approve `` Massive Tax Hikes '' that would kill the economy .
The caregiving proposals combine to become the third plank in Biden ’ s Build Back Better plan to restore millions of jobs lost during the coronavirus pandemic and grow the economy .
His earlier proposals dealt with manufacturing for $ 700 billion and clean energy to combat climate change for $ 2 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training for caregivers , to reduce turnover and recruit more workers to join and stay in the field .
He would provide tax credits for businesses to build more child care and to improve homes for the elderly and disabled .
Biden proposed a refundable tax credit of $ 8,000 tax credit for families with a child under 13 years old – or $ 16,000 for families with more children .
Based on legislation from Sen. Patty Murray , D-Wash. , and Rep. Bobby Scott , D-Va. , Biden proposed that no family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with income less than 1.5 times the state average would pay more than 7 % of their income on child care .
The federal and state governments would provide subsidies to those families on a sliding scale , under the proposal .
Biden proposed universal preschool for 3- and 4-year-old children through tax credits and subsidies .
And he would support construction of more child care through construction tax credits , which he estimated would create tens of thousands more facilities .
Spending on child care would create an estimated 1.5 million jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden proposes to eliminate the wait list of 800,000 people for home and community services under Medicaid .
States would receive enhanced federal matching funds .
Biden also proposed to create jobs for 150,000 community health workers nationwide .
He also proposed 12 weeks of paid family medical leave .
Spending on care for the elderly and disabled would create another 1.5 million jobs , according to the campaign .
And by freeing up people who now care for children or parents with little or no compensation would allow another 2 million people @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden proposes $775 billion to expand, improve care for children, the elderly and disabled
Show Caption Hide Caption Biden outlines school reopening plan amid pandemic Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden unveils a plan to safely reopen schools during the coronavius pandemic. In a video recorded with his wife Jill, a former teacher, Biden said the first step was reducing virus cases. (July 17) AP
Former Vice President Joe Biden proposed Tuesday to spend $775 billion over the next decade to expand and improve caregiving for children, the elderly and people with disabilities while creating 3 million new jobs as part of his economic recovery plans.
Biden’s goal as the presumptive Democratic nominee to challenge President Donald Trump is twofold: to take better care of caregivers, which in turn would free other members of families to enter or return to the workforce.
“This is about easing the squeeze on working families," Biden said at the Colonial Early Education Program at Colwyck Center in New Castle, Delaware. “We’re in a child care emergency. And it didn’t need to be this way."
Funding for the proposals would come from eliminating a Trump-supported tax cut for real estate investors who earn more than $400,000 a year and by better enforcement of existing tax laws against the wealthy.
Trump has warned voters against electing Biden and other Democrats who he said would approve "Massive Tax Hikes" that would kill the economy.
Hogan Gidley, a campaign spokesman, said Biden's trillions in proposed new taxes followed decades of past policies hurt American workers.
“It’s bad enough that for nearly five decades, Joe Biden’s liberal policies crushed the American worker, closed 60,000 manufacturing plants, and sent 3.2 million American jobs straight to China, now, he’s unapologetically promising something even worse by admitting he wants to remake America with socialist policies," Gidley said. "President Trump has always and will always put America First – which has resulted in historic economic growth and created countless new opportunities for families across this country to achieve the American Dream."
The same day as Biden's speech, the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living called on Congress to provide another $100 billion for caregivers during the coronavirus pandemic, with a "sizeable" portion going to nursing homes and assisted-living communities. Care facilities for the elderly have become hot spots for the virus throughout the pandemic.
The industry groups representing 14,000 facilities nationwide said nursing homes received only 4.3% of the $175 billion that Congress provided so far for health care providers. Assisted-living centers got nothing. But the facilities need help providing constant testing, personal protective equipment and staffing, according to the industry groups.
“With the recent major spikes of COVID cases in many states across the country, we are very concerned this trend will lead to a dramatic increase in cases in nursing homes and assisted living communities,” said Mark Parkinson, CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. “Without adequate funding and resources, the U.S. will end up repeating the same mistakes from several months ago.”
The caregiving proposals combine to become the third plank in Biden’s Build Back Better plan to restore millions of jobs lost during the coronavirus pandemic and grow the economy. His earlier proposals dealt with manufacturing for $700 billion and clean energy to combat climate change for $2 trillion.
Biden proposes to increase pay and training for caregivers, reduce turnover and recruit more workers to join and stay in the field. He would provide tax credits for businesses to build more child care and to improve homes for the elderly and disabled.
"This is a fresh, bold way to build a critical part of the labor force," said Biden, who was a single parent raising two sons for five years after the deaths of his first wife and daughter in a 1972 car accident. "These jobs can be filled now."
Biden proposed a refundable tax credit of $8,000 for families with a child under 13 – or $16,000 for families with more children.
Based on legislation from Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., Biden's plan proposes that no family with children under 5 and with income less than 1.5 times the state average would pay more than 7% of their income on child care. The federal and state governments would provide subsidies to those families on a sliding scale under the proposal.
Biden proposes universal preschool for 3- and 4-year-old children through tax credits and subsidies. And he would support construction of more child care through construction tax credits, which he estimated would create tens of thousands more facilities.
Spending on child care would create an estimated 1.5 million jobs, according to Biden's campaign.
Biden proposes to eliminate the wait list of 800,000 people for home and community services under Medicaid. States would receive enhanced federal matching funds. Biden also proposes to create jobs for 150,000 community health workers nationwide. He also proposes 12 weeks of paid family medical leave.
Spending on care for the elderly and disabled would create another 1.5 million jobs, according to the campaign. And by freeing up people who now care for children or parents with little or no compensation would allow another 2 million people to enter the workforce, the campaign says.
“This is a moral and economic imperative for the nation," Biden said. "This is about dignity and respect for working people."


usatoday--2020-07-21--$600 unemployment bonus is set to run out in days as Congress rushes to negotiate next COVID bill

WASHINGTON – The $ 600 boost millions of Americans have been receiving on top of their weekly unemployment benefits is set to run out as Congress dives into what is likely to be contentious negotiations over the future of the program .
The bolstered benefits have marked one of the most divisive issues on Capitol Hill , with Republicans arguing Americans are making more money on unemployment — thus disincentivizing many from wanting to return to work — as Democrats and activists point to the still alarmingly high unemployment rate and argue that slashing the benefits could be dire for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are demanding the $ 600 boost simply be extended until at least January but many Republicans on Capitol Hill have dubbed the extension a non-starter and instead either want the program reformed or replaced with a back-to-work incentive in hopes of helping jump-start the economy and getting shuttered businesses to rehire laid-off workers .
It will end sooner than you think : Think that extra $ 600 in unemployment benefits will last until the end of July ?
Think again .
Moment of truth on unemployment : Some homeowners expect struggle to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is urgent , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said last week about the need to extend the benefit .
`` They need to buy food .
These are necessities .
And when people use that money for necessities , they inject demand into the economy and create jobs .
So , it is a stimulus .
But it is more than a stimulus ; it is a necessity right now . ''
The extra weekly payment of $ 600 was part of the CARES Act , a $ 1.8 trillion package Congress passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic storm brought by the coronavirus pandemic , which shuttered businesses , slowed spending and erased a staggering 22 million jobs in just two months .
The unemployment rate in June fell to 11.1 % , slightly down from its peak in April when it hit a jarring 14.7 % .
The numbers are a far cry from the 3.5 % rate in February before the pandemic started ravaging the U.S. economy .
Many Democrats and activists have pointed to the potential impacts on families should the boosted unemployment benefits see an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gen X mortgage borrowers say either they or someone in their household receive unemployment benefits , and many are concerned about paying their mortgage once the extra weekly benefits end , according to a new report from LendingTree .
On Tuesday , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows are set to brief Senate Republicans on the administration 's priorities for the next coronavirus package , something Mnuchin said he anticipates getting across the finish line before the end of the month .
`` We 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people more money to stay at home than go to work , '' Mnuchin said on Monday at the White House .
`` We want to make sure that people who can go to work safely can do so .
We 'll have tax credits that incentivize businesses to bring people back to work . ''
The meeting on Tuesday will be followed by another with Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , the two top Democrats on Capitol Hill .
It will mark the first earnest negotiations between Democrats and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak first hit the U.S. , Congress and the White House have approved more than $ 3 trillion in aid , passing a series of bills that provided loans and grants to businesses hurt by the pandemic , stimulus checks to Americans , expanded unemployment for laid-off workers and funds for increased testing and vaccine research .
But it has been months since the passage of the last package passed , and there are sharp partisan divisions over the next phase .
More : There are two COVID Americas .
One hopes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The other is saving and spending .
More : After Trump meeting , GOP considers payroll tax cut , another stimulus check in next COVID bill For this round , House Democrats passed a $ 3 trillion bill in May that includes an extension of the $ 600 increase in unemployment benefits , a second $ 1,200 stimulus check for individuals and families , about $ 1 trillion for state and local governments , additional worker protections and increased funds more money for testing and contact tracing .
Senate Republicans have rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release their own proposal this week .
Among their priorities : more funds more money for schools so they can reopen in the fall and liability protections for businesses worried about being sued by customers who contract COVID-19 in their reopened restaurants and shops .
The president also has outlined his own priorities , namely a payroll tax cut that he argues would help boost economic growth .
Republicans for months have pushed back against the proposal but House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , said Monday that Republicans were may include @ @ @ @ @

$600 unemployment bonus is set to run out in days as Congress rushes to negotiate next COVID-19 bill
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump defends his response to coronavirus in Fox News interview President Trump defended his response to coronavirus, including his claims that COVID-19 will "disappear." USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The $600 boost millions of Americans receive on top of their weekly unemployment benefits is set to run out as Congress dives into what is likely to be contentious negotiations over the future of the program.
The increased benefits mark one of the most divisive issues on Capitol Hill: Republicans say Americans make more money on unemployment – thus disincentivizing many from returning to work; Democrats and activists point to the still alarmingly high unemployment rate and argue that slashing the benefits could be dire for families who need them.
The additional $600 in weekly jobless benefits provided by the federal government is officially set to end July 31. States will pay it only through Saturday or Sunday, depending on the state, because unemployment payment schedules end on a Saturday or Sunday and the benefits end July 31, a Friday.
House Democrats pushed for the $600 boost, which bolsters state benefits that average $370 a week, to be extended until at least January, but many Republicans on Capitol Hill dubbed the extension a nonstarter and want the program changed or replaced with a back-to-work incentive in hopes of jump-starting the economy and getting shuttered businesses to rehire laid-off workers.
Members of the Trump administration spent the day meeting with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about the next package and the president's priorities. President Donald Trump told reporters he would be briefed later Tuesday evening about the discussions, including the future of the boosted unemployment program.
"I was against that original decision but they did that. It still worked out well because it gave people a lifeline, a real lifeline," the president said of the $600 boost in benefits. "They're thinking about doing 70% of the amount. The amount would be the same but doing it in a little bit smaller initial amounts so that people will want to go back to work as opposed to making so much money that they really don't have to."
It will end sooner than you think: Think that extra $600 in unemployment benefits will last until the end of July? Think again
Moment of truth on unemployment: Some homeowners expect struggle to pay mortgage when extra unemployment ends
While Democrats have pushed to extend unemployment, many acknowledge that the program may be altered. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Tuesday the $600 amount wasn't a "red line," but he wanted a longer-term plan for the program "to give people confidence and the sense of well-being and security in this very troubled time."
The extra weekly payment of $600 was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, a $1.8 trillion package Congress passed in March to help the nation weather the economic storm brought by the coronavirus pandemic, which shuttered businesses, slowed spending and erased a staggering 22 million jobs in just two months.
The unemployment rate in June fell to 11.1%, slightly down from its peak in April when it hit a jarring 14.7%. The numbers are a far cry from the 3.5% rate in February before the pandemic started ravaging the U.S. economy.
Many Democrats and activists pointed to the potential impacts on families should the boosted unemployment benefits end. Roughly half of millennial and Gen X mortgage borrowers say they or someone in their household receive unemployment benefits, and many are concerned about paying their mortgage once the benefits end, according to a report from LendingTree.
Throughout Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows met with leaders on both sides of the U.S. Capitol to hash out the specifics in the next package, which Mnuchin said he hoped to have across the finish line by the end of the month.
"We just are making a lot of progress," Mnuchin said. "We're determined to get this done by the end of next week."
Meadows said the meetings outlined the president's vision for the next package but were also about "listening" to the ideas and concerns from lawmakers.
"We’re very early on in the negotiations and the discussions," he said. "To put it in a football term, we’re on our own 20-yard line."
The meetings included one with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the two top Democrats on Capitol Hill. They were the first formal negotiations between Democrats and the administration over the package.
After the meeting, both Pelosi and Schumer told reporters they needed to see the Republicans' bill before talks could move forward. "We have been united in our priorities," Pelosi said, pointing to the bill House Democrats passed in May. "I think their delay is their disarray."
Since the outbreak first hit the USA, Congress and the White House have approved more than $3 trillion in aid, passing a series of bills that provided loans and grants to businesses hurt by the pandemic, relief checks to Americans, expanded unemployment for laid-off workers and funds for increased testing and vaccine research. It has been months since the last package passed, and there are sharp partisan divisions over the next phase.
Positive result for 1st US COVID-19 vaccine trial The 1st experimental COVID-19 vaccine in the US revved up people's immune systems just the way scientists had hoped, researchers reported Tuesday. The vaccine will undergo its most important test later around July 27: a 30,000-person study. (July 14) AP
There are two COVID Americas. One hopes for an extension of federal unemployment and coronavirus aid, the other is saving and spending
More: After Trump meeting, GOP considers payroll tax cut, another relief check in next COVID bill
House Democrats passed a $3 trillion bill in May that includes an extension of the $600 increase in unemployment benefits, a second $1,200 relief check for individuals and families, about $1 trillion for state and local governments, additional worker protections and more money for testing and contact tracing.
Senate Republicans rejected the House bill and are likely to release their own proposal this week. Among their priorities: more funds for schools to reopen in the fall and liability protections for businesses worried about being sued by customers who contract COVID-19 in their reopened restaurants and shops.
The president outlined his own priorities, namely a payroll tax cut that he argued would boost economic growth. Republicans have pushed back against the proposal for months, but Mnuchin and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Republicans planned to include it.
Including it in the bill is likely to add another hurdle as many congressional Republicans continue to resist such a measure.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said he was "not a fan of that."
"I’ve made that pretty clear. I don’t think it’s something that changes anyone’s behavior and has trust fund implications," he said. "I just think there are better ways to do it.”


usatoday--2020-07-21--Blacks, Latinos and the poor less likely to get $1,200 coronavirus stimulus checks, new report says

WASHINGTON – With another round of stimulus checks in the works , a new study concludes that people who are poor , Black or Latino were less likely to get the $ 1,200 payments distributed last spring under a new federal law aimed at blunting the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic .
The study , by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center , concluded that while the rollout of the cash payments was a success in many ways , there were significant disparities by income , race , ethnicity and family citizenship in terms of who received the money .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65 reported that their families had not received the stimulus payments or that they didn ’ t know if the money had arrived as of late May .
Just six in 10 adults ( nearly 59 percent ) with incomes at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level reported receiving the payments .
Nearly 74 percent of white adults reported getting the checks , compared to almost 69 percent of Black adults and nearly 64 percent of Hispanics .
The report cited various reasons for the disparities , such as some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to the internet .
Among Latinos , some adults may have been ineligible because they or their spouse were undocumented or did not qualify as residents of the United States , the report said .
What 's nex : Many Americans might not get another relief check .
Here 's where things stand on another COVID-19 bill The issues identified in the report could pose challenges again if lawmakers decide to send out a second round of stimulus payments , as expected .
Congressional leaders are hoping to have another coronavirus aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
President Donald Trump met with GOP leaders at the White House on Monday and laid out his key demands for the package .
While Republicans and Democrats have different ideas about what should be in the next bill , they all seem to agree that many Americans need another stimulus check to help them bounce back from the economic hardships caused by the pandemic .
“ I think we ’ ve made a lot of progress , ” Trump said of the negotiations .
Stimulus for the dead : IRS sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead people , government watchdog agency says More than 159 million checks totaling $ 267 billion were distributed during the first round of stimulus payments earlier this year .
Payments of up to $ 1,200 went to individuals with an adjusted gross income of $ 75,000 or less .
Married couples who filed jointly and had incomes of up to $ 150,000 were eligible for $ 2,400 .
The Internal Revenue Service used tax returns from 2018 and 2019 to determine how much stimulus money a recipient would get .
But most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level aren ’ t required to file tax returns , which made it harder for the government to find them if they were eligible for a stimulus payment .
That was the biggest barrier in getting checks to many people , the Tax Policy Center ’ s report said .
In some cases , people may not have known they were eligible for a check .
Another problems was that many people who had not received a check by the end of May did not have a bank account , the report said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a direct deposit into their account .
People without bank accounts had to wait until the Treasury Department sent them a paper check , a process that started later than the direct deposits .
Another barrier , the report said , was the role of the internet in the distribution process .
People who have not filed taxes during the past two years could enter their information into an online portal provided by the IRS .
But one in five low-income people who did not receive a check reported that they did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That ’ s a problem anytime , but it ’ s a particular problem during the pandemic , ” said Janet Holtzblatt , a tax expert and the study ’ s lead author .
Many libraries or other facilities that offer free internet access or volunteer tax assistance were closed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Filing a paper application wasn ’ t possible because IRS offices also were closed because of the pandemic and faced a large backlog when they began reopening in phases .
For many people , that meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Holtzblatt said .
Are more checks coming ?
Trump signals support for another round of cash payments The study suggests one way around that problem during the next round would be to channel payments to tax nonfilers through state agencies that administer Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Medicaid benefits .
But that could require changes to federal privacy laws and investments in new infrastructure , the report said .
Another way to get the money quicker to recipients who don ’ t have bank accounts would be to issue prepaid debit cards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May and sent stimulus payments to 4 million people via debit cards .
“ The problem was they came in envelopes with the vendor ’ s name , and the cards have the vendor ’ s name , ” Holtzblatt said .
“ So what do you do when you receive a card from somebody you don ’ t recognize ?
Many people did what I would have done and said , ‘ Oh , that ’ s junk mail , ’ and tore it up and threw it away.
” The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round , she said , by making sure the Treasury Department is written on the envelope that the debit cards are mailed in and include on the cards themselves .
“ That would help get the money to people , ” Holtzblatt said .
Michael Collins covers the White House .
Reach him on Twitter @ mcollinsNEWS .

Black, Latino and poor people are less likely to get $1,200 coronavirus stimulus checks, new report says
Show Caption Hide Caption Blacks, Latinos and the poor less likely to receive stimulus checks A second round of stimulus checks are in the works, but a new study says people who are poor, Black or Latino were less likely to receive the $1,200. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – With another round of stimulus checks in the works, a new study concludes that people who are poor, Black or Latino were less likely to get the $1,200 payments distributed last spring under a new federal law aimed at blunting the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
The study, by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, concluded that while the rollout of the cash payments was a success in many ways, there were significant disparities by income, race, ethnicity and family citizenship in terms of who received the money.
Thirty percent of adults younger than age 65 reported that their families had not received the stimulus payments or that they didn’t know if the money had arrived as of late May.
Just six in 10 adults (nearly 59 percent) with incomes at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level reported receiving the payments. Nearly 74 percent of white adults reported getting the checks, compared to almost 69 percent of Black adults and nearly 64 percent of Hispanics.
White House, GOP crafting next virus stimulus bill Top Congressional Republicans meet President Donald Trump to discuss the next COVID-19 aid package as the crisis many hoped would have improved has dramatically worsened, just as emergency relief is expiring. (July 20) AP
The report cited various reasons for the disparities, such as some people having no bank account or lacking access to the internet. Among Latinos, some adults may have been ineligible because they or their spouse were undocumented or did not qualify as residents of the United States, the report said.
What's nex: Many Americans might not get another relief check. Here's where things stand on another COVID-19 bill
The issues identified in the report could pose challenges again if lawmakers decide to send out a second round of stimulus payments, as expected.
Congressional leaders are hoping to have another coronavirus aid package ready by the end of the month. President Donald Trump met with GOP leaders at the White House on Monday and laid out his key demands for the package.
While Republicans and Democrats have different ideas about what should be in the next bill, they all seem to agree that many Americans need another stimulus check to help them bounce back from the economic hardships caused by the pandemic.
“I think we’ve made a lot of progress,” Trump said of the negotiations.
Stimulus for the dead: IRS sent stimulus checks to more than 1 million dead people, government watchdog agency says
More than 159 million checks totaling $267 billion were distributed during the first round of stimulus payments earlier this year. Payments of up to $1,200 went to individuals with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less. Married couples who filed jointly and had incomes of up to $150,000 were eligible for $2,400.
The Internal Revenue Service used tax returns from 2018 and 2019 to determine how much stimulus money a recipient would get. But most people whose incomes are below the federal poverty level aren’t required to file tax returns, which made it harder for the government to find them if they were eligible for a stimulus payment.
That was the biggest barrier in getting checks to many people, the Tax Policy Center’s report said. In some cases, people may not have known they were eligible for a check.
Another problem was that many people who had not received a check by the end of May did not have a bank account, the report said. Most people got the stimulus money as a direct deposit into their account. People without bank accounts had to wait until the Treasury Department sent them a paper check, a process that started later than the direct deposits.
Another barrier, the report said, was the role of the internet in the distribution process. People who have not filed taxes during the past two years could enter their information into an online portal provided by the IRS. But one in five low-income people who did not receive a check reported that they did not have internet access at home.
“That’s a problem anytime, but it’s a particular problem during the pandemic,” said Janet Holtzblatt, a tax expert and the study’s lead author.
Many libraries or other facilities that offer free internet access or volunteer tax assistance were closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Filing a paper application wasn’t possible because IRS offices also were closed because of the pandemic and faced a large backlog when they began reopening in phases.
For many people, that meant “there was no other option,” Holtzblatt said.
Are more checks coming? Trump signals support for another round of cash payments
The study suggests one way around that problem during the next round would be to channel payments to tax nonfilers through state agencies that administer Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Medicaid benefits. But that could require changes to federal privacy laws and investments in new infrastructure, the report said.
Another way to get the money quicker to recipients who don’t have bank accounts would be to issue prepaid debit cards. The Treasury tried that approach in May and sent stimulus payments to 4 million people via debit cards.
“The problem was they came in envelopes with the vendor’s name, and the cards have the vendor’s name,” Holtzblatt said. “So what do you do when you receive a card from somebody you don’t recognize? Many people did what I would have done and said, ‘Oh, that’s junk mail,’ and tore it up and threw it away.”
The government could avoid that problem in the next round, she said, by making sure the Treasury Department is written on the envelope that the debit cards are mailed in and include on the cards themselves.
“That would help get the money to people,” Holtzblatt said.
Michael Collins covers the White House. Reach him on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS.