| | On September 11, 2023, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, joined with two of his fellow Conference chairmen in sending a letter to congressional leadership that addresses the Administration’s recent funding requests. Before discussing a range of funding items, most of which touch on migration-related issues, the bishops expressed their “deep concern about calls by some Members of Congress to condition enactment of any supplemental, continuing, or regular fiscal year 2024 funding bill on the inclusion of a number of extraneous policy provisions for which there is no precedent in the appropriations process, such as those contained in the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2).” With respect to the Administration’s requests, the bishops affirmed funding intended to counter the exploitation of children, bolster efforts to welcome newcomers authorized for federal assistance, provide relief to disaster-stricken communities, and deliver further humanitarian assistance for those impacted by the war in Ukraine.
Congress must pass a continuing resolution before the funding deadline of midnight on September 30 to avoid a partial government shutdown. However, members of the House Freedom Caucus continue to demand that H.R. 2 be included, among other items, as part of the stopgap measure in order for them to cooperate in the process. As a result, the current likelihood of a shutdown is the greatest it’s been in several years. The USCCB strongly opposed H.R. 2 prior to its passage by the House of Representatives along party lines earlier this year.
National Migration Week Highlights “Overlooked Right” Not to Migrate
The Catholic Church in the United States will observe National Migration Week (NMW) from September 18-24, 2023. Each year, this week-long celebration culminates with the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), established by the Holy See over 100 years ago and commemorated by Catholics across the globe. Throughout this week, the faithful and others of good will are encouraged to reflect on the challenges facing migrants, refugees, and others impacted by the complex phenomenon of forced displacement, the ways these newcomers enrich welcoming communities, and how we are each called to respond to them as members of the same human family.
Ahead of National Migration Week, Bishop Seitz issued the following statement:
“For millennia, people have been forced to flee their homelands, seeking safety and security, because of factors beyond their control. Pope Francis reminds us that Sacred Scripture reveals the Holy Family’s own flight into Egypt was not the result of a free decision, nor were many of the migrations that marked the history of the people of Israel. Through our belief in Jesus Christ, we are compelled to respond with charity toward those who must uproot their lives in search of refuge, but efforts to manage migration—even when predicated on the common good—require that we also address the coercive forces driving people to migrate. Only through collective efforts to alleviate these forces and by establishing the conditions required for integral human development can people truly avail themselves of the right to remain in their country of birth. May God, through the intersession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, sustain us in these pursuits and protect those whose lives depend upon their success.”
The theme for NMW 2023, “Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay,” shines a light on the root causes that drive migration. In preparation for this celebration, please take an opportunity to read Pope Francis’ WDMR message. Be sure to check out the Justice for Immigrant’s NMW page and toolkit, where we expand on the theme and suggest possible ways for your community to get involved.
Please share your NMW and WDMR events, celebrations and Mass information on JFI’s Facebook page and Twitter to spread the word about your plans during the week!
JFI Action Alerts
JFI has two active action alerts, one for the Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act (PVIYA) and another for the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA). In the last two weeks, Bishop Seitz sent letters on behalf of the USCCB in support of the AAA and PVIYA. The links for the action alerts are:
Stand in Solidarity with Our Afghan Neighbors
Please Safeguard Children and Ensure Access to Religious Workers
Please send the action alerts to your national networks and ask your advocates to send advocacy messages to their U.S. Senators and Representatives.
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