Quil Lawrence

New York

Correspondent at NPR

NPR news covering veterans. Also climate and national security. Former Bureau Chief in Baghdad and Kabul. Signal: QuilNPR.10

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Articles

Trump's VA cut a program that's saving vets' homes. Republicans have questions

1 week ago | kpbs.org | Chris Arnold |Quil Lawrence

Jon Henry served in Iraq during the first Gulf War, in a unit meant to counter chemical warfare attacks. Luckily for him the attacks never happened, but he still earned full veterans benefits, including a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Henry, who lives outside Kansas City. Mo., fell behind on his mortgage after losing his job managing a manufacturing plant last October.
Trump cuts VA help

1 week ago | laist.com | Chris Arnold |Quil Lawrence

Navy veteran Matthew Kelly's home in San Antonio, Texas. Kelly was left stranded when the VA abruptly ended a mortgage program that's been helping save thousands of vets homes. In California: The program had helped more than 1,800 veterans in California. Why it matters: There are about 80,000 vets in the U.S. behind on their mortgages and heading toward foreclosure, according to data from ICE Mortgage Technology. Veterans now have worse options than most Americans.
Afghan who helped U.S. military arrested by ICE after routine immigration hearing

1 week ago | wusf.org | Quil Lawrence

An Afghan who helped U.S. military forces at war was arrested by ICE agents after appearing for an immigration hearing in San Diego. He may now face deportation despite death threats from the Taliban. Copyright 2025 NPR
Vets and housing

1 month ago | laist.com | Quil Lawrence

Iraq war veteran Irving Webb moves his belongings as sanitation workers clear the sidewalk, where he spent some nights in April, outside the Los Angeles VA campus. The backstory: Los Angeles has the highest number of homeless veterans in the country — which is surprising, since it's also got a massive, 388-acre Veterans Affairs campus that was donated in 1888 as a soldiers' home. Lawsuits have forced the VA to start building housing, but it's been slow.
Homeless vets in LA hope that Trump order will create housing for them

1 month ago | news.prairiepublic.org | Quil Lawrence

You know his voice, now check out his writing! Prairie Public news director Dave Thompson is writing a weekly email newsletter to keep you informed on politics in North Dakota. By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Prairie Public Broadcasting, 207 N 5th St, Fargo, ND, 58102, US, https://www.prairiepublic.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email.
Homeless vets in LA hope that Trump order will create housing for them

1 month ago | ctpublic.org | Quil Lawrence

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.
Vets in LA hope, with Trump order, that they can finally come home

1 month ago | boisestatepublicradio.org | Quil Lawrence

On a cool weekday morning last month, just steps away from some of California's fanciest boutiques and bistros, Irving Webb was desperately trying to break camp as sanitation workers with shovels cleared the sidewalk he's been living on for the last few nights. The Iraq war veteran sweated through his white T-shirt, heaving his belongings into a shopping cart. "I've been here for five years," he says, "and they're freaking killing me.
Homeless vets in LA hope that Trump order will create housing for them

1 month ago | boisestatepublicradio.org | Quil Lawrence

LA has the highest number of homeless veterans in the U.S. For decades, advocates have fought for housing for them. Now, they're hoping a Trump administration executive order will change everything. Copyright 2025 NPR
White House welcomes Afrikaners to the U.S., but drops protection for Afghan allies

1 month ago | kpbs.org | Quil Lawrence |Tom Bowman

As many as 9,000 Afghan refugees are at risk of deportation, as the Trump administration has ended the temporary protected status (TPS) that allowed them to stay in the U.S. legally. The White House says their country is no longer dangerous for them, a contention that confounds Afghanistan watchers. "It's a death penalty for them if they return," said Zia Ghafoori, who worked as an interpreter in combat with U.S. Army Special Forces from 2002 to 2014.
White House welcomes Afrikaners to the U.S., but drops protection for Afghan allies

1 month ago | cfpublic.org | Quil Lawrence |Tom Bowman

As many as 9,000 Afghan refugees are at risk of deportation, as the Trump administration has ended the temporary protected status (TPS) that allowed them to stay in the U.S. legally. The White House says their country is no longer dangerous for them, a contention that confounds Afghanistan watchers. "It's a death penalty for them if they return," said Zia Ghafoori, who worked as an interpreter in combat with U.S. Army Special Forces from 2002 to 2014.