JFI Biweekly Review: April 3-14, 2023

JFI Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

Georgetown University's Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life In-person and Livestreaming Event: Human Dignity and the Migration Crisis at the U.S. Southern Border Responses and Responsibilities

The humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border has been visible for decades, but it has now reached an unprecedented level of urgency. Political unrest, ecological disasters, economic deprivation, and intensifying violence have resulted in accelerated levels of irregular migration. Various challenges to asylum access imposed by both the Trump and Biden administrations have left thousands of asylum seekers stranded in border cities or attempting risky crossings in remote areas and relying on organized crime groups to smuggle them.

These situations, Pope Francis says, happen when “humanity as a whole loses its bearings”; they are a sign that “we have fallen into globalized indifference. We have become used to the suffering of others.”

This timely Latino Leader Gathering will examine the moral and human costs of a broken status quo on immigration policy and what obstacles and opportunities exist to build a new approach that upholds human dignity and advances the common good. Four speakers, including Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso, with differing experiences, expertise, and perspectives will explore how past and current policies have failed and discuss where we need to go in light of Catholic social teaching and our nation’s values to, as Pope Francis has said, “welcome, protect, promote and integrate” migrants and refugees.

You are invited to participate in this timely discussion on-line or in person if you are in the DC-metro area. Please RSVP.

USCCB/MR and Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition Webinar:

Broad Overview of Human Trafficking

April 19, 2023 at 10 AM Pacific/1 PM Eastern

REMINDER: 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.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Todd Scribner at [email protected]

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 Updat e page to stay up-to-date on recent migration policy updates.

View the April 4 CMS Migration Update, which includes:

United States and Canada Reach a New Agreement on Asylum Crossings
United States Announces Additional Support for Venezuelan Refugees
USCIS Clarifies Filing Timeline for Certain Benefit Requests

Ver la Actualización de Migración del CMS del 4 de abril, que incluye:

Estados Unidos y Canadá alcanzan nuevo acuerdo sobre cruces de asilo
Estados Unidos anuncia apoyo adicional para refugiados venezolanos
USCIS aclara el cronograma de presentación de ciertas solicitudes de beneficios

Migration-Related Videos, Stories, Op-Eds and Interviews by Catholic Bishops, Arch/Dioceses and Catholic Agency Executives

Columban Missionary Fr. Bill Morton in the hours after the March 27, 2023 fire at the migrant detention facility in Cuidad Juárez: Reflection and personal testimon y

Notable New Publications, Reports, Films, Articles, Etc.

Center for Migration Studies Webinar: Beyond Title 42: Further Restrictions on the Right to Asylum in the United States

Last month, CMS hosted a webinar and discussion, “Beyond Title 42: Further Restrictions on the Right to Asylum in the United States.” Experts discussed the potential humanitarian effects of the new proposed rule that would presume an asylum-seeker is ineligible for asylum due to transit through another country, known as the “asylum ban.” Speakers talked about the proposed rule’s impact on refugees seeking asylum, its use in expedited removal, and how it would affect communities on both sides of the border. Litigation and advocacy strategies were also discussed. Panelists included:

Lee Gelernt, Deputy Director, Immigrants’ Rights Project, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Eleanor Acer, Senior Director for Refugee Protection, Human Rights First
Dylan Corbett, Executive Director, Hope Border Institute

CMS Interim Executive Director, Kevin Appleby, moderated the discussion. A recording of the webinar is now available to view.

UnidosUS and Berkeley Media Studies Group:

Elevating Latino Experiences and Voices in News About Racial Equity

UnidosUS and Berkeley Media Studies Group, studied how—and how often—Latinos appeared in racial equity news, both as news creators and as sources. This report covers the findings and recommendations for more complete coverage.

REMINDER: 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

U.S. Speaking Tour with Honduran Human Rights Defenders: Focus on “Root Causes of Migration.” Sisters of Mercy of the Americas’ Justice Team, in collaboration with SHARE Foundation and other faith partners, are hosting a U.S. speaking tour of Honduran human rights and environmental defenders from April 19-30, 2023. The University of Detroit-Mercy will be the first stop, and along with the University’s Padre Guadalupe Carney Latin American Solidarity Archive (CLASA), will host three events that also can be watched via zoom on Wednesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 20. Speakers include SHARE Foundation Executive Director, Jose Artiga; Honduran Jesuit-Ministry Journalist, Karla Rivas, who also coordinates the Jesuits’ Network with Migrants in Central America; and Honduran water protector Reynaldo Dominguez, whose brother (also a water protector) was killed, death-squad style in January 2023. See Detroit area events and sign up for Zoom links. Early next week, the full set of public talks with the Honduran human rights defenders will be posted on SHARE’s web site, including events at University of San Francisco, Adrian (MI), Omaha, Cleveland, Portland, and Washington, DC.

PaxChristi Hybrid Celebration: Pacem in Terris at 60: Is the Catholic Church heeding the call to Gospel nonviolence?, APRIL 19, 2023 at 7 PM Central. April 11 marked 60 years since the publication of Pacem in Terris, St. John XXIII’s encyclical on peace which has shaped and influenced the work of Pax Christi for decades. On Wednesday, April 19th Pax Christi International and its Catholic Nonviolence Initiative invite all to attend, online or in person in Chicago, a special event to celebrate the 60 years of Pacem in Terris. Learn more and register.

JustFaith Ministries Event: Sowing Seeds: Prophetic Action to Climate-Changed Lands, April 20, 2023 at 7 PM Eastern. This presentation will highlight the stories of individuals connecting their faith to regenerative agriculture and addressing food insecurity issues. It will provide a theological foundation to understand better the deep biblical connections between God, land, food, and justice. Additionally, presenters will share ideas and action steps for faith communities interested in contributing to a more just food system. Register now!

Ecumenical Advocacy (EAD) Virtual Days, April 25-27, 2023 at 2 PM. EAD is an annual gathering of Christian advocates and activists. Together, we pray, worship, and delve deeply into pressing issues of the day. We lift our voices by speaking truth to power on Capitol Hill. This year, Susie Tierney will be providing a skills-building workshop at the event on "Equipping and Mobilizing Your Congregation for Justice." She will share tips, tools, and resources to engage your parish or congregation in working for change. The theme for EAD 2023 is "Swords into Plowshares: Achieving Enough for All & Pursuing Peace." We look forward to you joining us.

Immigration Hub Spring 2023 Reception in Washington, DC, May 3, 2023 at 6:30 PM. For people in the DC-metro area, join our secular allies working for immigrants, refugees and TPS for vulnerable populations in an evening of goodwill and community building. We ask for you to RSVP.

In solidarity,

Tony Cube

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