JFI Biweekly Review: March 20-31, 2023 JFI Colleagues, Please see below for the latest updates from JFI. USCCB/MRS Executive Director Participates in Hearing on Refugee Admissions Program Bill Canny, executive director of the USCCB’s Department of Migration and Refugee Services, testified at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety on the need to bolster the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. In his testimony, Canny noted that the USCCB has historically been the largest national resettlement agency and, partnering with many Catholic Charities agencies across the country, is currently serving about 17% of those being resettled. Part of his recommendations included the enactment of the Afghan Adjustment Act, which the USCCB supports. USCCB Submits Comments on Proposed Asylum Restrictions On February 23, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Justice published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, outlining new regulations that would impose severe restrictions on the right of migrants to seek asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. The proposed rule would automatically render many vulnerable individuals and families ineligible for asylum, based on transit through a third country and/or the manner in which they entered the United States. The USCCB submitted formal comments on the proposed restrictions, underscoring that they would be contrary to domestic law and international treaty obligations, place an impermissible burden of proof on asylum seekers, threaten family unity, undermine due process, and disproportionally affect the most vulnerable asylum seekers. Following its publication, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, issued a statement opposing the rule. In 2019, the USCCB also condemned the proposal of a similar rule published by the previous administration. Young Adult and Youth Art Contest In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the pastoral letter Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, issued by the Catholic bishops of Mexico and the United States, USCCB/MRS and Kino Border Initiative are sponsoring a migration themed youth and young adult art contest that highlights the subtitle of the letter, which reads “Together on the Journey of Hope.” Young artists are invited to imagine what this “journey of hope” looks like or represent the ways people in migration walk together on the journey, with their families, with others they meet along the way, with communities in the US who receive and accompany them, with advocates who seek more dignified migration alongside them. For more information how someone you know can participate, please visit the art contest website.   CLINIC "Neighbors Not Strangers" Storytelling Platform: A Dream Uncaged: Part One In this latest story, Jessica, a teenage Nicaraguan asylum seeker, bravely undertakes a treacherous journey with her family to reach the United States, facing numerous roadblocks along the way.  Policy Update / Actualización de Política We are thankful to the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) for its weekly Migration Update. Please visit their bilingual Migration Update page to stay up-to-date on recent migration policy updates. View the March 20 CMS Migration Update, which includes: Biden Administration Extends Humanitarian Parole for Certain Ukrainians US Department of State Announces $331 Million In Humanitarian Assistance to Ethiopia, Including Targeted Assistance to Ethiopians Displaced by Civil War USCIS Issues Guidance to Verify the Ability of Employers to Pay Sufficient Wages to Immigrants Ver la Actualización de Migración del CMS del 20 de marzo, que incluye: La administración de Biden extiende la libertad condicional humanitaria para ciertos ucranianos El Departamento de Estado de los EE. UU. anuncia $331 millones en asistencia humanitaria para Etiopía, incluida la asistencia dirigida a los etíopes desplazados por la guerra civil USCIS emite una guía para verificar la capacidad de los empleadores para pagar salarios suficientes a los inmigrantes Migration-Related Videos, Stories, Op-Eds and Interviews by Catholic Bishops, Arch/Dioceses and Catholic Agency Executives Lecture by Cardinal Seán O’Malley at the Catholic University of America (view the video): Migration & Immigration: A Challenge of Our Time for Church and State Aden Batar, Director of Migration & Refugee Services at Catholic Community Services of Utah: In the name of compassion Notable New Publications, Reports, Films, Articles, Etc. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (OIG): ICE and CBP Deaths in Custody during FY 2021 (Feb. 2023) This report details ten deaths in ICE or CBP custody during fiscal year 2021. The Office of Inspector General concluded "no underlying systemic factors, policies, or processes played a role" in nine of the individuals’ deaths; the tenth death could not be evaluated because of an ongoing criminal investigation. However, in some cases, the OIG’s contracted medical team determined that the facilities’ medical staff did not provide appropriate care. National Immigration Forum (NIF): Room to Grow: Setting Immigration Levels in a Changing America This NIF paper proposes an evidenced-backed approach to setting overall immigration levels based on addressing demographic realities. The paper argues the country will need more immigrants in order to continue to thrive and beat back the looming ill effects of demographic decline. Tulane University Law School – Immigrant Rights Clinic: Practice Manual for Immigration Practitioners on Labor-Based Deferred Action This manual offers best practices for submitting applications under DHS’s guidance for streamlined labor-based deferred action, released in January. That guidance sets forth the process for requesting for temporary protection from deportation and work authorization for workers who are victims of, or witnesses to, the violation of labor rights and a labor agency has issued a statement of interest supporting immigration protection. RCUSA Advocacy Days - May 1-3, 2023 Registration is now open for Refugee Council USA's 2023 Advocacy Days! This year, Advocacy Days will take place May 1-3, 2023, in Washington, D.C. For the first time since 2019, Advocacy Days will be held as an in-person event. During Advocacy Days, RCUSA brings together hundreds of participants from across the country for advocacy training opportunities and meetings with their members of Congress in support of pro-refugee policies. There is no fee to participate in the event, and food will be provided during meeting times; however, participants traveling from outside the D.C. area will be expected to cover their cost of travel and hotel accommodations. RCUSA has reserved blocks of hotel rooms at a discounted rate for participants to utilize, and organizers will provide links to them after registration. This is a great opportunity for those with (and without) a connection to resettlement to underscore the importance of providing humanitarian protection, especially through the Refugee Admission Program. Complete the event registration and join us on advocacy day. Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources Last Call: Delegate Applications for Refugee Congress, Application deadline: March 31, 2023. Refugee Congress seeks applications from committed refugee/former refugee and asylee/asylum seeker leaders to serve as a volunteer Delegate to Refugee Congress. We are seeking to recruit a Delegate for these states: AL, FL, HI, KY, MI, MN, MS, NJ, OK, SC, SD, and UT. Please share this call for application with your networks. Interested candidates can apply directly through this link. Franciscan Action Network-cosponsored Virtual Way of the Cross for Economic and Ecological Justice, April 7, 2023 at Noon Eastern. The Economic and Ecological Way of the Cross is a special observance of Christ's passion and an opportunity to reflect on the ways we have broken our covenant with God at the expense of other persons and creation. At each station, focus is directed to a different economic or ecological challenge or sign of hope for our times. Register now and be a part of it. Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, KY Online Presentation on Fratelli Tutti, April 15, 2023 at 2 PM Eastern. Register now to hear Bishop Stowe speak about Pope Francis’ call for us to become a global people and see each other as sisters and brothers in Christ as a way to achieve global friendship. The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC): Providing Acceptance & Opportunity for All. CLRC – previously funded by CCHD – is where employers in Northern Virginia can find the sub-contractors or employees they need for a variety of jobs. It’s a place they can meet to discuss fair wages and terms of employment. CLRC matches employers with employees that have specific skill sets required for their job and provides job training. Find more information on our website. Holy Week Blessings, Tony Cube Stay Connected Visit the JFI website to learn about us, read policy recommendations and letters to Congress, find materials for your parish, get advocacy resources, access previously recorded webinars, and more! 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