JFI Biweekly Review: May 1-12, 2023 JFI Colleagues, Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.  House Passes Damaging Immigration Bill On May 11, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a sweeping immigration bill, largely along party lines, which would fundamentally weaken our nation’s decades-long commitment to humanitarian protection if enacted into law. The bill passed by a vote of 219-213, with two Republicans, Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and John Duarte of California, joining all Democrats in voting against the legislation. As the House prepared to vote on H.R. 2, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, sent a letter strongly urging members to oppose the bill and “to support the drafting of bipartisan legislation that is more in keeping with our nation’s rich tradition of welcome.” The letter described many of those provisions in detail and may be read in its entirety here. Currently, H.R. 2 is not expected to undergo consideration or receive a vote in the Senate. DHS Announces Upcoming Re-parole Process for Afghans On May 5, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will establish a process by which Afghans who were paroled into the United States through Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) may request re-parole and continued employment authorization to ensure continuity of lawful presence and employment. Beginning in June, OAW arrivals will be able to request re-parole through online and paper filing with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). As with any parole request, these requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefit. DHS/USCIS will share additional information in the coming weeks. USCCB/MRS will also share additional information once available. USCIS is hosting a national engagement on how to create a USCIS online account on Monday May 15, 2023, from 2-3:30 PM ET. The engagement will provide an overview of the online account and guide individuals on how to set up an account. Registration is not required. The engagement can be found here and will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. USCIS also encourages OAW parolees to create a USCIS online account now to prepare for online filing, once available, as well as to update their address, and for those who have not already done so, to consider applying for more permanent immigration status, such as asylum and special immigrant visa-based lawful permanent residence.   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 April 24 CMS Migration Update, which includes: Senator Menendez Unveils Border Plan House Republicans Release Immigration Enforcement Legislation Texas May Deputize Citizens to Patrol the Border View the April 17 CMS Migration Update, which includes: Biden Administration Makes DACA Recipients Eligible for Health-care Coverage DHS and State Department Expand Eligibility for the Central American Minors Program DeSantis Pushes Legislative Package to Crackdown On Immigration DHS Places New Expedited Asylum Policy On Hold Legislation to Combat the Trafficking of Girls Gains Traction In Congress Ver la Actualización de Migración del CMS del 24 de abril, que incluye: Senador Menéndez Revela Plan Fronterizo Republicanos de la Cámara publican legislación para el cumplimiento de la ley de inmigración Texas puede delegar a los ciudadanos para patrullar la frontera Ver la Actualización de Migración del CMS del 17 de abril, que incluye: La administración de Biden hace que los beneficiarios de DACA sean elegibles para la cobertura de atención médica El DHS y el Departamento de Estado amplían la elegibilidad para el Programa de Menores Centroamericanos (CAM) DeSantis impulsa un paquete legislativo para tomar medidas enérgicas contra la inmigración DHS pone en espera nueva política de asilo acelerado Legislación para combatir el tráfico de niñas gana tracción en el Congreso Notable New Publications, Reports, Films, Articles, Etc. Center for Migration Studies of New York: Journal on Migration and Human Security (JMHS): Protracted Displacement, the Search for Solutions, Promising Programs and Strategies This special issue features 11 papers that offer topline findings, recommendations, and cross-cutting themes from the papers that form the heart of the collection. These papers — by leading scholars and researchers, including displaced persons — focus on the situations of several large and some smaller and less-publicized populations in protracted displacement. The special issue covers both groups outside their countries of origin and internally displaced persons Congressional Research Service: DHS Budget Request Analysis: FY2024 This April 4, 2023 report analyzes the Biden administration's fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security, the third largest federal agency based on civilian personnel.  Refugee Processing Center: March 31, 2023 Report The U.S. resettled 6,122 refugees in March, a 99% increase over the 3,069 refugees resettled in February. The last time more than 6,000 refugees were resettled in one month was in FY 2017. Since then, the U.S.’s refugee program has struggled with significant instability, resource depletion, and logistical obstacles during the last Administration and the Covid-19 pandemic. Six months into FY 2023, the U.S. has resettled 18,429 refugees out of President Biden’s annual determination of 125,000. At the current rate, the U.S. is on target to resettle approximately 36,858 refugees this fiscal year. Or, if officials were to resettle 6,122 refugees for the next six months, the U.S. would instead welcome 55,161 refugees in FY 2023 — a major improvement over the past five years, but still far short of the cap set by the Biden administration. Read this report to get a closer look at the figures. World Bank: World Development Report 2023: Migrants Refugees and Society Migration is a development challenge. About 184 million people—2.3% of the world’s population—live outside of their country of nationality. Almost half of them are in low- and middle-income countries. But what lies ahead? As the world struggles to cope with global economic imbalances, diverging demographic trends, and climate change, migration will become a necessity in the decades to come for countries at all levels of income. If managed well, migration can be a force for prosperity and can help achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The World Development Report 2023 proposes an integrated framework to maximize the development impacts of cross-border movements on both destination and origin countries and on migrants and refugees themselves. The framework it offers, drawn from labor economics and international law, rests on a “match and motive” matrix that focuses on two factors: how closely migrants’ skills and attributes match the needs of destination countries and what motives underlie their movements. This approach enables policy makers to distinguish between different types of movements and to design migration policies for each. International cooperation will be critical to the effective management of migration. National Immigration Forum: End of Title 42 – An FAQ The administration is scheduled to end the Title 42 border policy on May 11, three years after it was first implemented. Title 42 is a public health policy that expels arriving asylum seekers at the U.S. border without providing them an opportunity to seek humanitarian protection. But what does the end of this policy mean for the border and asylum seekers? This factsheet explains the end of Title 42. Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources Chicago Resiliency Fund: $500 to Those in Need. The Chicago Resiliency Fund provides eligible individuals with a one-time relief payment of $500. To be eligible, applicants must: Reside in Chicago, AND be 18 years of age or older AND, have a household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level AND, be a domestic worker OR an undocumented resident. See the fund’s website to apply. Catholic Charities USA Webinar: Ableism: What it is, How to Recognize it and How to Combat it, May 16, 2023 at 2 PM Eastern. This presentation will address factors associated with ableism: attitudes, bias and stereotyping toward persons with disability and their consequences on persons with disability. Ableism at the micro (e.g., individual) level as well as at the macro (e.g., structural/systemic) or institutional level will be explored and discussed along with intersectionality and privilege as concepts related to ableism. Strategies to minimize ableism and resulting barriers to health and quality health care will be addressed. The consequences of ableism that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic will be used to illustrate how ableism can affect the health, well-being and even survival of persons with disability. This webinar offers 1.5 Continuing Education Credit. Please register in advance for this webinar. Johns Hopkins University – Institute for Education Policy Virtual Event: Teaching the Untold Stories of Latino Contributions in U.S. History, May 16, 2023 at 2 PM Eastern. In recent years, studies have shown that students learn best when they see themselves reflected in curricular materials and classroom instruction. Furthermore, studies show that understanding the experiences and contributions of diverse groups of people benefits every student, not just those from diverse groups. Register for this event to learn more about this topic. Webinar: Root Causes of Migration, May 17, 2023 at 4 PM Eastern. Franciscan Action Network and the Franciscan Network for Migrants invite you to this webinar on the Root Causes of Migration. Speakers include an expert on the history of migration from a global perspective, an impacted person sharing their story, and a Salvadoran friar providing support to migrants near the Darien Gap in Panama. Through these stories, we hope to enhance the awareness of our participants on the factors that cause people to migrate. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. Register and join us. JustFaith Ministries Webinar: “From Good Intentions to Faithful Change: The Challenge is Real”, May 18, 2023 at 7 PM Eastern. You've felt God's call to put your faith into action. You want to address the real issues that affect real people in your community. You've learned all the right principles. You may even have a team of people who are ready to make a difference. But then you butt up against the wall of HOW! It's a challenge we're going to face if we take the work of justice and compassion seriously. Our speaker who has served in prison and in the suburbs, will share insights to be successful in this effort. Sign up and join us. World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, May 24, 2023. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI designated the 24th of May as the annual World Day of Prayer for the Church in China. He encouraged the faithful to recite the prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan. Happy Mother's Day Weekend, 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! Send us an email to get connected.     USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE, Washington, DC 20017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!