Welcome back to the Unify Brief, where we track the latest developments shaping our nation. Here’s what you need to know this week.
Food banks face insecurity as shutdown continues
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and food program for women, infants and children (WIC) are preparing for an increased demand as the government shutdown continues.
Nearly 42 million people across the country could face cuts in their food stamp benefits. On top of the shutdown heavily impacting food-insecurity benefits, President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act decreased nearly $187 billion for SNAP over 10 years as of Oct. 1.
SNAP is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program. On average in 2024, the program helped 41 million low-income Americans afford a nutritional diet. On Oct. 10, The Department of Agriculture sent a letter to SNAP directors, warning that funding would run out by the end of the month.
Local: As SNAP benefits become the next shutdown casualty, food banks brace for impact (CPR News)
National: Food banks and community groups brace for spike in demand as shutdown continues (NBC News)
What other college campuses have to say: How SNAP Cuts Will Impact Critical Food Access (Teachers College Columbia University)
“No Kings” protests erupt across the nation
On Oct. 18, millions of Americans across the U.S. marched to protest President Trump’s presidency. Mainly protesting against President Trump’s overreach, by using executive orders to dismantle parts of the federal government and deploying the National Guard to many states.
The first “No Kings” protests happened in June and objected Trump’s birthday parade. It has since grown into an internationally recognized movement emphasizing that America has no kings and the power belongs to the people.
In response, President Trump took to social media to post many AI videos mocking the protests. Many politicians on the right have been calling it the “Hate America” rally. However, the protests remained peaceful.
Local: 13 arrested during Denver’s ‘No Kings’ protests, police say (The Denver Post)
National: Millions turned out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ protests across US (BBC News)
What other college campuses have to say: ‘No Kings Day’ sweeps nation (The Lafayette)
Trump refugee plan admits Afrikaners only
The Trump administration plans to reduce the annual amount of U.S. refugee admission, expected to relocate thousands of white South Africans to the U.S. The number of refugees to be admitted is estimated to be around 7,500 if the plan succeeds.
President Trump claimed the Afrikaners had been tyrannized by the Black South African majority, and shortly after entering office, he signed an executive order halting the admission of most refugees except the Afrikaners.
According to a senior State Department official, the administration is expected to announce that it will put a new focus on people who can speak English when admitting refugees into the country. Since Oct. 1, no refugees have been relocated into the U.S. This leaves the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program paused until the government shutdown is lifted.
According to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in South Africa, the Department of State and Homeland Security are coordinating to consider eligibility for refugee resettlement to South Africans who are victims of unjust racial discrimination. South African Presdent Cyril Ramphosa denied Trump’s claims of a genocide against Afikaners.
Local: US diplomats asked if non-whites qualify for Trump refugee program for South Africans (The Denver Gazette)
National: Is there a genocide of white South Africans as Trump claims? (BBC News)
What college campuses have to say: Local group ditches federal refugee resettlement now for Afrikaners (Yale Daily News)
Take Action:
At DU:
- Utilize the DU Food Pantry in Driscoll Commons by the ID Office
- Support International Student clubs and organizations like the African Student Union or International Student Organization
