Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
Parks Group Raises Questions and Concerns Over New National Park Fee Policy
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- The National Parks Conservation Association issued the following news release:
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Parks Group Raises Questions and Concerns Over New National Park Fee Policy
Following a July executive order - Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks - the Department of the Interior recently issued new guidance directing the National Park Service to raise entrance and recreation pass fees for non-residents and introduce new digital America the Beautiful passes. National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has several questions and concerns about this new policy
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- The National Parks Conservation Association issued the following news release:
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Parks Group Raises Questions and Concerns Over New National Park Fee Policy
Following a July executive order - Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks - the Department of the Interior recently issued new guidance directing the National Park Service to raise entrance and recreation pass fees for non-residents and introduce new digital America the Beautiful passes. National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has several questions and concerns about this new policyand how it will be implemented given the Park Service's severe staffing shortage, including fee collectors and IT specialists. NPCA sent a letter to Secretary Doug Burgum detailing our concerns and requesting answers to our questions, including clarification of the potential strain this may place on both park visitors and staff.
Entrance and recreation fees are vital to keeping national parks running, funding everything from trail repairs and educational programs to law enforcement and visitor services. After years of chronic underfunding, our national parks increasingly rely on these fees to enhance the visitor experience. But NPCA believes fees should never become a barrier that keeps people from experiencing America's most iconic places.
Statement by Emily Douce, Deputy Vice President for Government Affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA):
"Any policy that keeps people from visiting our national parks is a problem. While we support new and innovative ideas to fund maintenance projects in our national parks, we have several questions and concerns about this new fee policy, and it's unclear how these changes will be implemented to reduce impacts on park visitors and staff.
"Charging international visitors more is not uncommon globally, but any such policy must be designed thoughtfully. The Park Service is already stretched to the limit after losing 24% of its permanent staff since January, including the very staff who are needed to implement this effort.
"At parks where entrance lines already stretch for miles, fee collectors will be required to verify each visitor's residency, creating further delays and diminishing the experience for everyone, residents and non-residents alike. This could ruin someone's trip of a lifetime.
"It also remains unclear whether the Interior Department has conducted any analysis on how additional fees might affect park visitation or the tourism economies of surrounding gateway communities.
"As Secretary Burgum implements these fees in four short weeks, he must ensure the policy doesn't put more strain on the people who serve our parks or keep Americans from enjoying the places we all love. Expecting fee collectors, especially in the 11 busiest parks, to learn and implement such a complicated system of new rules in just a few weeks seems overly hasty. We hope Secretary Burgum will address our key questions and clarify how he plans to put this policy into practice."
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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation's most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.
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Original text here: https://www.npca.org/articles/11225-parks-group-raises-questions-and-concerns-over-new-national-park-fee-policy
[Category: Environment]
New Science Resource for Schools Launched by Norwich Research Park Scientists
NORWICH, England, Dec. 4 -- Quadram Institute (formerly the Institute of Food Research) issued the following news:
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New science resource for schools launched by Norwich Research Park scientists
A brand new teaching resource to help schools encourage pupils to engage more with science is being launched by a group of scientists based at the Quadram Institute at Norwich Research Park.
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Am I a Scientist? (https://www.norwichresearchpark.com/am-i-a-scientist) aims to break down current stereotypes of what scientists are and to showcase the range of diversity in terms of race, gender, disability,
... Show Full Article
NORWICH, England, Dec. 4 -- Quadram Institute (formerly the Institute of Food Research) issued the following news:
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New science resource for schools launched by Norwich Research Park scientists
A brand new teaching resource to help schools encourage pupils to engage more with science is being launched by a group of scientists based at the Quadram Institute at Norwich Research Park.
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Am I a Scientist? (https://www.norwichresearchpark.com/am-i-a-scientist) aims to break down current stereotypes of what scientists are and to showcase the range of diversity in terms of race, gender, disability,nationality, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic backgrounds, that in reality represents modern-day researchers and scientists, demonstrating that anyone can become a scientist.
The centrepiece of Am I a Scientist? is a free, interactive online quiz that challenges pupils to identify whether or not an individual is a scientist by first being presented with a personal profile of the person. Once they have made their decision the answer is revealed and if they are indeed a scientist, it tells how they came to follow science as a career as well as other lifestyle details.
The quiz currently features scientists from 18 countries that work at Norwich Research Park, which has the largest cluster of microbiologists in the UK as well as world-renowned scientists at its four world-leading research institutes, the university and the university hospital. There are also downloadable tools and promotional and educational materials.
The initiative emphasises that science is for everyone by offering relatable, visible role models and highlighting how the diverse careers and roles in science positively impact on all aspects of society.
The target audience for the resource is teachers and children at primary and secondary schools, who will be reached through local and national education networks. These groups are key for inspiring interest in science and challenging stereotypes at a formative stage of education.
Additionally, the project will also engage a wider audience through public engagement activities, such as social media campaigns and school science events.
As the resource will be freely accessible online, it has the potential to reach a global audience to support teachers, students and under-represented communities worldwide, fostering an inclusive approach to STEM education which can only bring benefits to the science community as a whole. The Am I a Scientist? resource is funded by the Quadram Institute.
The initiative is the brainchild of Dr Emma Waters, a researcher at the Quadram Institute. Emma, who grew up in Norwich, was inspired to pursue a career in science after participating in outreach activities as a teenager. Her passion for science led to her creating a physical exhibition called What is a scientist? for local schools and science festivals which received very positive feedback. That led her to developing the Am I a Scientist? activity.
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Original text here: https://quadram.ac.uk/new-science-resource-for-schools-launched-by-norwich-research-park-scientists/
[Category: Food/Beverage]
NIJC Condemns Trump Administration's Exploitation of Tragedy to Further Demonize Immigrants and Asylum Seekers
CHICAGO, Illinois, Dec. 4 [Category: Sociological] -- The National Immigrant Justice Center issued the following news release:
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NIJC Condemns Trump Administration's Exploitation of Tragedy to Further Demonize Immigrants and Asylum Seekers
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(CHICAGO, 2 December 2025) - The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) issued the following statement after the Trump administration announced a series of discriminatory policies last week following the deadly shooting of National Guard troops in Washington, DC.
These policies include an indefinite halt on all asylum decisions, the review of all
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CHICAGO, Illinois, Dec. 4 [Category: Sociological] -- The National Immigrant Justice Center issued the following news release:
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NIJC Condemns Trump Administration's Exploitation of Tragedy to Further Demonize Immigrants and Asylum Seekers
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(CHICAGO, 2 December 2025) - The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) issued the following statement after the Trump administration announced a series of discriminatory policies last week following the deadly shooting of National Guard troops in Washington, DC.
These policies include an indefinite halt on all asylum decisions, the review of allAfghan applications and grants since 2021, and discriminatory targeting of green card applicants from 19 countries.
"The Trump administration is using the tragic shooting of two National Guard members to scapegoat and roll out yet another ban on Black and Brown migrants. Where there is grief and heartbreak, the Trump administration sees opportunityi.e., the opportunity to unveil more racist and anti-immigrant policies. There is no excuse for demonizing entire nationalities for the act of one individual. But we expect no less from an administration that dehumanizes immigrants at every turn, separates families daily, and abducts people from our communities based on racial profiling.
"During the 20 years in which the United States maintained a presence in Afghanistan, tens of thousands of Afghan people supported the U.S. military, worked to rebuild the country and to create and maintain a democratically elected government, or advocated for equal rights for women and ethnic and religious minorities. In recognition of those efforts and the danger these people would face from the Taliban, the U.S. government implemented Operation Allies Welcome to conduct extensive background screenings of Afghan people fleeing the Taliban and then promptly resettle them in the United States. Thousands of Afghans, many of whom NIJC has been proud to serve, have made a home in the United States since then, strengthening our collective communities and economy. Following last week's event, many now fear that the stability and peace they achieved here is endangered once again, as the executive branch threatens to upend family reunifications and engage in a discriminatory review that threatens to turn our nation's back on an entire community.
"The Trump administration is also ushering in two new policies that also betray discriminatory animus. Following Trump's racist call to end migration from 'Third World countries,' the executive branch has announced it will halt all decisions on asylum cases and review the green card applications of 19 countries already vilified under Trump's travel ban. Neither of these policies are responsive to the tragic events of last week. These actions will put countless individuals and families in limbo and jeopardize their right to due process and protection under U.S. and international law. Once more, the Trump administration knows no limits to its anti-asylum and anti-immigrant campaign, especially when targeting Black and Brown people."
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Original text here: https://immigrantjustice.org/press-release/nijc-condemns-trump-administrations-exploitation-of-tragedy-to-further-demonize-immigrants-and-asylum-seekers/
NCL Decries Trump Administration's Proposed Rule to Weaken Fuel Economy Standards
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- The National Consumers League issued the following news release on Dec. 3, 2025:
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NCL Decries Trump Administration's Proposed Rule to Weaken Fuel Economy Standards
The Trump administration today released a proposed rule to weaken fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that the proposed standards would achieve a fleet average fuel economy of 34.5 miles per gallon by model year 2031, a dramatic decrease from the 50.4 miles per gallon that the Biden era standards were projected to achieve.
"The
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- The National Consumers League issued the following news release on Dec. 3, 2025:
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NCL Decries Trump Administration's Proposed Rule to Weaken Fuel Economy Standards
The Trump administration today released a proposed rule to weaken fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that the proposed standards would achieve a fleet average fuel economy of 34.5 miles per gallon by model year 2031, a dramatic decrease from the 50.4 miles per gallon that the Biden era standards were projected to achieve.
"TheTrump administration's proposed rule ignores a simple truth: costs are low when fuel economy standards are high," said Daniel Greene, Senior Director of Consumer Protection & Product Safety. "Slamming the brakes on robust fuel economy standards will inflict more pain at the pump, hamper American competitiveness, exacerbate the climate crisis, and harm public health. The National Consumers League urges the administration to reverse course and help address the affordability crisis through meaningful increases in fuel economy standards."
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
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Original text here: https://nclnet.org/ncl-decries-trump-administrations-proposed-rule-to-weaken-fuel-economy-standards/
[Category: Consumer Services]
Human Rights First: Trump Administration's Halt in Processing of All Asylum Applications is Punitive, Extreme, and Undermines Our National Interest
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Human Rights First issued the following news:
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Trump Administration's Halt in Processing of All Asylum Applications is Punitive, Extreme, and Undermines Our National Interest
Human Rights First is appalled by the Trump administration's extreme and punitive action to halt all immigration processing, including permanent residence and citizenship, and to re-review all approved applications for people from 19 countries targeted by its xenophobic 2025 Travel Ban. The administration has also halted adjudication of all asylum applications for individuals, regardless of nationality.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Human Rights First issued the following news:
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Trump Administration's Halt in Processing of All Asylum Applications is Punitive, Extreme, and Undermines Our National Interest
Human Rights First is appalled by the Trump administration's extreme and punitive action to halt all immigration processing, including permanent residence and citizenship, and to re-review all approved applications for people from 19 countries targeted by its xenophobic 2025 Travel Ban. The administration has also halted adjudication of all asylum applications for individuals, regardless of nationality.Separate announcements indicate plans to reinterview massive numbers of people granted asylum or permanent residence under the Biden administration, a move that would require enormous taxpayer resources and strain the Department of Homeland Security's adjudicatory capacity. These sweeping and unprecedented actions will cause untold harm, deepen already crippling backlogs, and undermine our national interest in an efficient, fair, and operational immigration system.
Human Rights First unequivocally condemned the November 26 brutal attack on West Virginia National Guard members and extends our deepest sympathies to the family of Specialist Beckstrom and heartfelt wishes for the recovery of Staff Sergeant Wolfe. The alleged shooter, an Afghan national, granted asylum earlier this year under the Trump administration, arrived in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome reportedly after years of supporting U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Human Rights First urged leaders not to scapegoat entire communities for the actions of one individual. Unfortunately, administration officials have ignored these pleas and are spreading hateful, racist rhetoric that risks further violence and dehumanizes immigrants and refugees. They are using this tragedy as a pretext to effectively nullify and circumvent immigration laws enacted by Congress and to advance a xenophobic agenda and collectively punish entire communities.
"This is a moment that demands moral courage from our leaders -- not cruelty, not cowardice, and not the disavowal of our most fundamental values," said Human Rights First President and CEO Uzra Zeya. "The administration's sweeping halt to immigration and asylum processing, paired with its divisive and openly bigoted rhetoric in the wake of this attack, is outrageous and dangerous. These actions do nothing but invite further violence, fuel xenophobia, and dehumanize people who have already endured profound trauma. We call on leaders in the United States and across the globe to forcefully condemn this hateful language and unequivocally reaffirm their shared commitment to dignity, humanity, and decency in every policy decision."
For over 45 years, Human Rights First has provided free legal assistance to indigent people seeking safety in the United States. In 2021, we created Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA), drawing on our longstanding asylum work and our role in co-founding the Evacuate Our Allies coalition, to support thousands of at-risk Afghans that sought refuge in the United States following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. The Trump administration's actions this week -- on top of nearly a year of mass detention, deportation campaigns, and unlawful attempts to restrict asylum access--mark a dark and dangerous moment in our country's history.
These policies will no doubt strip lawful status and work authorization from countless law-abiding individuals, halt family reunification, and leave many asylum seekers in legal limbo -- unable to return to the countries they fear persecution from and unable to begin fully adjusting to life in the United States. This is compounded by the halt in refugee processing, the 2025 Travel Ban, and the abrupt cancellation of the Department of State CARE program for Afghan allies.
Many of Human Rights First clients have been negatively impacted by these policies, including a terminally ill mother desperately awaiting for the arrival of her children after being separated from them for more than four years, a five-year-old boy waiting to be reunited with his parents, and a formerly detained client whose Special Immigrant Visa approved wife and children remain in hiding in Afghanistan while their applications for travel to the United States remain in limbo.
Human Rights First urges the Trump administration to reverse course and restart processing of all immigration applications, regardless of their country of nationality, and to stop spreading xenophobic rhetoric that endangers American communities. We urge members of Congress and other elected leaders to reject this harmful language and these destructive policy changes.
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Original text here: https://humanrightsfirst.org/library/trump-administrations-halt-in-processing-of-all-asylum-applications-is-punitive-extreme-and-undermines-our-national-interest/
[Category: Sociological]
First Focus Campaign for Children: Bipartisan Bill Would Protect Children in Struggling Countries
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- First Focus Campaign for Children issued the following news release on Dec. 3, 2025:
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Bipartisan bill would protect children in struggling countries
Global Child Thrive Reauthorization Act scheduled for markup today
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Members of Congress reached across the aisle to protect some of the world's most vulnerable children this week, introducing legislation aimed at investing in early childhood development in some of the globe's poorest countries.
The bipartisan Global Child Thrive Reauthorization Act of 2025, introduced by Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Rich McCormick
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- First Focus Campaign for Children issued the following news release on Dec. 3, 2025:
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Bipartisan bill would protect children in struggling countries
Global Child Thrive Reauthorization Act scheduled for markup today
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Members of Congress reached across the aisle to protect some of the world's most vulnerable children this week, introducing legislation aimed at investing in early childhood development in some of the globe's poorest countries.
The bipartisan Global Child Thrive Reauthorization Act of 2025, introduced by Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Rich McCormick(R-Ga.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.), would integrate early childhood development interventions into foreign assistance programs serving young children and appoint a Special Advisor at the State Department to lead this work. The House Foreign Affairs Committee was scheduled to review the bill today.
"We are grateful to Reps. Castro, McCormick, Fitzpatrick, and Olszweiski for working to protect and advance the well-being of vulnerable babies and children around the world," said First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley. "We urge Congress to pass the Global Child Thrive Reauthorization Act because it is both the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. Strong early development in childhood builds healthier, more stable societies, reducing the conditions that fuel conflict, migration, and extremism. And children who thrive become adults who live longer and healthier lives and contribute more to their societies and economies."
More than 250 million children are growing up with stunted brains and bodies due to the worst aspects of poverty, according to the medical journal The Lancet. This legislation would ensure that U.S. foreign assistance serving young children addresses their fundamental need for nurturing care and protection from abuse, neglect and trafficking, so that they can grow to their full potential.
Research has shown that investing in the health, nutrition, nurturing care, protection, and education of children from birth through age 8 pays off more than almost any investment later in life. For every $1 invested in early childhood development, economists estimate a 13% return on investment.
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Original text here: https://campaignforchildren.org/news/bipartisan-bill-would-protect-children-in-struggling-countries/
[Category: Sociological]
Catholic League for Religious & Civil Rights: Nativity Scene Erected in Central Park
NEW YORK, Dec. 4 -- The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights issued the following news release:
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NATIVITY SCENE ERECTED IN CENTRAL PARK
By Bill Donohue
Today, the Catholic League erected a life-size nativity scene in Central Park. It is located on 59th St. and 5th Avenue, at the Grand Army Plaza, across from the Plaza Hotel. We received a permit from the New York City Parks Department, as we have for decades.
We display our manger scene to let New Yorkers, and tourists, know that the Christmas season begins with Jesus--all the other celebrations that accompany Christmas are
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Dec. 4 -- The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights issued the following news release:
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NATIVITY SCENE ERECTED IN CENTRAL PARK
By Bill Donohue
Today, the Catholic League erected a life-size nativity scene in Central Park. It is located on 59th St. and 5th Avenue, at the Grand Army Plaza, across from the Plaza Hotel. We received a permit from the New York City Parks Department, as we have for decades.
We display our manger scene to let New Yorkers, and tourists, know that the Christmas season begins with Jesus--all the other celebrations that accompany Christmas areimportant, but they mean nothing without acknowledging the historical truth of the birth of the Prince of Peace.
We hope that New Yorkers, and those visiting New York City this Christmas season, will stop by and see the Catholic League's nativity scene in Central Park. It will be up through January 4, 2026.
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Original text here: https://www.catholicleague.org/nativity-scene-erected-in-central-park-15/
[Category: Sociological]
