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The future of USAID, the U.S. Agency for International Development, is uncertain after Elon Musk said President Trump had agreed to shut it down. The Tesla billionaire and presidential adviser has inserted himself into the inner workings of the federal government, gaining access to sensitive computer systems and making sweeping changes for which he has no clear authority. Over the weekend, the USAID website and social media channels were taken offline, and two top security officials at the aid agency were placed on administrative leave after attempting to block members of Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, from accessing USAID's classified systems, including personnel files. Musk claimed in a series of posts on his website X that USAID is a "viper's nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America," and staff were instructed to stay away from the agency's Washington headquarters on Monday. "What we are seeing … are attacks against it as a corrupt and illegal organization by people who know nothing about it. They are manufacturing these things out of whole cloth," says former senior USAID staffer Jeremy Konyndyk, now president of Refugees International. "It's really important to understand that a lot of what USAID does saves lives every single day."
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Nearly $10 Million Awarded to Expand Citizenship Preparation Services in 25 States
— Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded nearly $10 million in grants to 40 organizations in 25 states to help prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for naturalization. The fiscal year (FY) 2021 grants will run through September 2023 and provide funding to organizations that prepare LPRs for naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history, and civics.
"DHS is proud to support organizations that help individuals prepare to become citizens and promote their successful integration in our communities," said Secretary Mayorkas. "These organizations help strengthen our identity as a welcoming nation of immigrants."
"USCIS is committed to providing information about the benefits, responsibilities and opportunities of citizenship, and the naturalization process," said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. "Through the USCIS grants program, we ensure that community organizations can equip the immigrants they serve with the tools they need to be successful."
USCIS awarded the grants through two competitive funding opportunities. The first funding opportunity supports organizations that provide citizenship instruction and naturalization application assistance to LPRs. The second funding opportunity supports organizations that provide extended integration services to LPRs who have entered the United States as refugees or who have been granted asylum. In making final award decisions, USCIS considered grantees' past performance, when applicable.
USCIS seeks to expand availability of high-quality citizenship and integration services throughout the country under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program:
This opportunity will fun
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