USA ESTA Travel Pass News

The Donald Trump administration’s policy of imposing tariffs on small parcels entering the United States without exception went into effect on the 29th. A senior Trump administration official stated in a briefing on the 28th that the elimination of the “small parcel duty-free” system would be permanent and that no exceptions would be granted to any country. The United States previously operated a system that exempted tariffs on products imported by individuals with a daily value of less than $800. However, there have been calls for reform as concerns grow that countries like China are abusing this system to circumvent U.S. tariffs or smuggle in prohibited items such as drugs.

President Trump suspended duty-free shipping on small parcels sent from China and Hong Kong on May 2nd, and this measure took effect for all countries at 0:01 AM on the 29th.As a result, postal agencies around the world stopped sending mail and parcels destined for the United States, throwing the world into chaos.Many European countries, including Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, France, and Belgium, stopped accepting US-bound parcels.

According to the Washington Post (WP), Mexico, India, and Thailand are also not accepting US-bound items at all, and South Korea, Singapore, and New Zealand have also halted most US-bound shipments. Starting at 0:01 AM Eastern Time (EDT) on the 29th, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began imposing tariffs on all imported goods entering the United States as international mail parcels, without exception. Accordingly, foreign postal service providers must formally declare parcels bound for the United States and collect fees based on the applicable tariff rate for goods from that country for the full amount, or include a flat tariff of $80 to $200 per parcel.

According to CBP guidelines announced on the 28th, the day before the small-value parcel tariff went into effect, parcels from countries where the Trump administration has set tariff rates below 16%, such as Korea, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU), will be subject to a flat tariff of $80 per parcel upon entry into the United States.

Parcels from countries with tariff rates exceeding 25%, such as China, Brazil, India, and Canada, will be subject to a flat tariff of $200 per parcel. This flat tariff per parcel system, which streamlines the customs duty payment process through formal customs clearance, is only available to foreign postal service providers and is limited in duration, with a six-month grace period.

Non-postal service providers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL cannot utilize the flat tariff per parcel system and must formally apply the tariff rate and complete formal customs declarations.

The Donald Trump administration is reportedly planning a large-scale crackdown on illegal immigrants in Chicago. According to a CBS News report on the 28th, sources said the large-scale crackdown, involving armored vehicles and various tactical equipment, could begin as early as the 5th of next month. The Trump administration previously conducted a crackdown in Los Angeles this spring, using armored vehicles and other equipment.

It’s rumored that a similar crackdown will be conducted in Chicago. At the time, these raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sparked fierce protests not only from undocumented immigrants but also from residents, leading to violent street protests in LA. President Trump responded by deploying the National Guard and Marines to LA.

At the time, it was reported that President Trump planned to deploy an ICE tactical team to Chicago as well, but this deployment never took place. CBS explained that it was unclear whether this raid was an extension of the suspended plan. However, the plan to deploy ICE tactical armored vehicles to Chicago was reportedly unrelated to President Trump’s recent plan to deploy the National Guard.

On the 12th, President Trump deployed federal agents and National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., citing security concerns. He then announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to major cities controlled by Democratic mayors, including Chicago, New York, and Baltimore, drawing backlash from Democrats. Large-scale immigration raids targeting sanctuary cities for security reasons were anticipated.

Accordingly, New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch met with Attorney General Pam Bondi on the 25th and made it clear that there was no need to deploy the National Guard to New York City. Prior to this, New York Governor Kathy Hokule also called President Trump and conveyed her position that there was no need to deploy the National Guard to New York City.

Ahead of the Labor Day holiday, New York State is launching a massive crackdown on drunk driving.

The New York State Police announced a statewide crackdown on drunk driving from the 15th to Labor Day, November 1st. Governor Kathy Hokule stated, “Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest times of the year, and with it, a rise in accidents and injuries. Therefore, we are expanding our enforcement efforts to prevent accidents caused by drunk drivers.”

According to police, New York City will also set up checkpoints along the roads during the Labor Day holiday to crack down on drunk driving, distracted driving, and other common traffic violations, including failure to wear seatbelts.

Meanwhile, police in Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island have designated this period as an enhanced crackdown on drunk and reckless driving, and plan to launch a large-scale crackdown.

Five envelopes containing boric acid powder were delivered to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Manhattan, temporarily shutting down the building and leading to an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and other sources, five envelopes containing suspicious white powder were delivered to 26 Federal Plaza, a building in Lower Manhattan, on the afternoon of the 14th. The building houses federal agencies, including ICE. After the envelopes containing the powder were discovered, the FBI, NYPD, and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded, shutting down the building and evacuating residents. The five envelopes in question were found in the ICE Enforcement and Deportation Operations mailroom on the 9th floor of the building.

Six people were nearby when the envelopes were opened, and two of them were directly exposed to the powder but did not appear to be in serious health condition. According to officials, initial testing on the powder indicates that it was boric acid. Boric acid, used in disinfectants and pesticides, is non-toxic when ingested in small amounts, but can be dangerous in high doses.

The exact amount contained in each packet has not yet been disclosed, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams has stated that it is not a dangerous substance. The FBI would not comment on the contents of the letter containing the powder, stating that the investigation is ongoing.

The incident occurred after a federal court recently ordered ICE to improve the substandard conditions at a temporary detention facility in Manhattan. ICE is using the 10th floor of the building as a temporary detention facility. The FBI stated, “Sending these types of threatening letters is a crime. We will not take this matter lightly.” Mayor Adams also stated, “While no hazardous materials were involved, this is a serious crime, and those involved will be brought to justice.”

President Donald Trump has declared a “war on the homeless and criminals” in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital.

In a post on the social media platform TruthSocial on the 10th, Trump declared, “I will make our capital safer and more beautiful than ever before.” He added, “The homeless must leave immediately. We will provide you with a place to stay, but it will be far from our nation’s capital.”

He continued, “Criminals, you don’t have to leave. We will put you in the prisons where you belong.” He then recalled the massive border closures and crackdowns on illegal immigration he launched immediately after taking office.

President Trump emphasized, “Just as I treated our borders—from millions crossing last year to zero illegal border crossings last month—I will treat our beloved capital city and make it truly great again.” He said of Washington, D.C., “Before the tents, the filth, and the crime, it was the most beautiful capital in the world,” and “It will soon be that way again.”

President Trump announced that he would hold a press conference at the White House on the morning of the 11th on “Crime and Environmental Beautification” to announce a plan to rid the Washington area of homelessness and criminals. He previously posted a post on TruthSocial on the 5th, listing incidents of violence by youth gang members in Washington, D.C., and warned, “If this continues, I will use my authority to federalize this city.” He also signed an executive order on the 24th of last month to thoroughly dismantle homeless tent cities in the city and relocate them to shelters.

President Donald Trump is revealing his ill will toward his political opponents, even in the White House.

According to a CNN report on the 10th, President Trump ordered the removal of the portrait of former President Barack Obama, which had been adorning the entrance to the White House. Consequently, the portrait was relocated to the middle of the steps near the entrance to the presidential residence.

The original location naturally stands out during major White House events and is visible to tourists on White House tours. The new location is accessible only to the presidential family, Secret Service agents, and staff members, making it virtually invisible.

CNN noted that it has been a practice for sitting presidents to place their predecessors’ portraits at the most prominent entrance to the White House and interpreted this relocation as an extension of their public outcry against their political opponents.

Former President Joe Biden is Trump’s immediate predecessor, but his portrait is reportedly not yet complete. President Trump has expressed strong animosity toward former President Obama since his days as a real estate developer and broadcaster before taking office. Recently, he has claimed that former President Obama and his administration committed treason during the 2016 presidential election.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has ordered an investigation into allegations that senior Obama administration officials produced disinformation alleging Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. President Trump also ordered portraits of other political opponents, including former President George W. Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, moved to a less visible area of the stairwell.

Before his death in 2018, Bush called Trump a “charlatan” in his autobiography and supported Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. Bush has also criticized Trump as a “failed and uninspiring president.”

While the number of homes for sale in the Washington area has increased significantly for three consecutive months, sales prices have fallen across the board.

Real estate information company Redfin released a report on the 30th of last month titled, “Washington’s Housing Supply Grows 23% in June… One of the Largest on Record.” According to the report, the number of homes for sale in the Washington area increased by 23.9% in April and 25.5% in May, and then jumped another 22.7% in June, marking three consecutive months of rapid growth.

June’s increase was the third largest since 2012. Looking at the figures, the total number of homes for sale in the Washington area as of June reached 20,016, and the number of newly listed homes in June was 6,328, a 0.3% increase from the same period last year.

In Northern Virginia, Stafford County saw the highest increase in listings (41%), followed by Arlington (33%), Fairfax (25%), and Prince William (21%). In Maryland, Montgomery County saw the highest increase in listings (35%), followed by Howard (24%), Frederick (18%), and Prince George’s (14%) counties.

Washington, D.C., saw a 15% increase. Redfin attributes this surge to the massive layoffs among federal employees.

Indeed, a recent survey by Bright MLS, a Mid-Atlantic real estate information site, found that approximately 40% of real estate agents in the Washington area have attempted to sell homes to laid-off federal employees in the past six months.

The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs announced a significant strengthening of its interview waiver policy for nonimmigrant visa applicants, effective September 2nd. This measure replaces previous guidance issued on February 18th, mandating in-person interviews for most applicants.

A key change is the elimination of age-based waivers. While applicants under 14 and over 79 years of age were previously exempt from interviews, the new guidance requires in-person interviews for all age groups. This change is expected to complicate the visa application process for families with young children and the elderly.

Most applicants for student visas (F or M visas) and employment (H-1B, L-1, etc.) visas are expected to require interviews, which could lead to longer interview waiting periods.

Experts advise applicants to begin planning their visa applications even earlier.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reportedly considering eliminating its multilingual support services. According to the Washington Post (WP), the IRS is considering eliminating various tax-related services it had been providing in multiple languages to comply with President Trump’s executive order designating English as the official language.

The IRS currently operates free telephone and in-person interpretation services, a multilingual website, and Spanish social media accounts to allow taxpayers to conduct tax-related business in the language of their choice.

The United States has never had an official language at the federal level, but on March 1, President Trump signed an executive order designating English as an official language, saying, “Establishing English as an official language will not only facilitate communication, but also strengthen our shared national values and create a more cohesive and efficient society.”

On the 14th, Attorney General Pam Bondi sent guidelines for implementing this executive order to each federal agency. (Reported on page A1 of the July 22nd issue of this newspaper) This includes a recommendation to consider phasing out unnecessary multilingual services and using the budget for research or programs to improve English proficiency.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating for his administration has fallen to its lowest level since the start of his second term. According to The Hill, an online media outlet, in a poll conducted by Gallup on 1,002 American adults from the 7th to the 21st, 37% of Americans approved of Trump’s job performance.

This is a 3% drop from last month (40%). Trump’s approval rating has been steadily declining since he took office. The group that showed the largest drop in this poll was the unaffiliated.

The percentage of unaffiliated voters who positively evaluated Trump’s job performance fell 7% from last month to 29%. At the beginning of his term, Trump received 46% of support from unaffiliated voters. The approval rating of President Trump among Democratic supporters has been consistently in the low single digits.

In this survey, 2% of Democratic supporters evaluated President Trump’s job performance positively. Meanwhile, 89% of Republican supporters evaluated President Trump’s job performance positively.