JFI Biweekly Review: November 11-21, 2023

JFI Colleagues,

Happy Thanksgiving! Please see below for the latest updates from JFI in this abbreviated version for the shortened week.

USCCB Submits Comments on Regulatory Proposals to Improve Protections for Temporary Migrant Workers

Over the last two weeks, the USCCB has submitted comments on two separate rules proposed by the Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), respectively. The DOL’s proposed changes focus exclusively on the H-2A temporary agricultural program, whereas the proposed DHS changes apply to both the H-2A and H-2B programs for temporary migrant workers. The USCCB’s comments (submitted jointly with Catholic Charities USA in the case of the DOL rule) address the unique vulnerabilities of short-term migrant workers, given the temporary nature of their status, reliance on their employer for basic needs, the fear of reprisal, language barriers, and other factors. In both cases, the USCCB characterized the rules as steps in the right direction that would bring several positive changes, such as preventing incidents of human trafficking, increasing identification of trafficked workers and employers who do not treat their workers with dignity and respect, barring these employers from participating in the programs, and increasing awareness of workers’ rights. The comments on the DOL rule can be viewed here, and the comments on the DHS rule can be viewed here.

Welcome Wednesdays is Here!

Welcome Wednesdays is a new weekly series that will feature interviews with MRS' network across the country. You can watch the first and second videos in the series.

For more information, please check out: https://www.usccb.org/welcomecircles

Welcome Circle Volunteer Spotlight

The USCCB Welcome Circle program has helped establish nearly 90 groups of five or more people and families supporting nearly 250 newcomers from Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Over 1,100 volunteers have stepped up to be part of a Welcome Circle.

Leaders of a Welcome Circle in Seattle, Carla and Jim, discuss employment opportunities for their Ukrainian family in this video clip . They share lessons learned through initiating this Circle in this clip. They offer recommendations for folks considering sponsoring refugees in this clip.

For more information, please check out: https://www.usccb.org/welcomecircles

JFI Prayer and Devotional Resources

Please take a moment to look over our webpage of prayer and devotionals, which you can use as you contemplate the situation confronting migrant populations and how we might respond to their spiritual and material needs. We hope that as you reflect on migration, it will inspire you to learn more about both what is happening on the ground and what the Church teaches on this issue. Check back regularly as we will provide new prayers and other spiritual reflections that will help you to respond to the Gospel call to welcome the stranger.

If you have not done so already, be sure to read and reflect on Pope Francis’ most recent World Day of Migrants and Refugees message and related resources, which focus on some key concerns related to the migration experience. Also, feel free to send us prayers and spiritual devotions that your parish or religious community has created so we can share your resources. Thank you!

Pastoral Migratoria Nacional Advent Reflections 2023

Please see the message and share the resources below from our colleagues at Pastoral Migratoria in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Immigrants,

We hope that these Advent reflections help you meditate and contemplate the migration of God into our world and prepare us to welcome Jesus into our hearts and homes every day of our lives through the face of strangers.

Kindly share our Advent reflections (English) with your contacts. Thanks in advance!

Peace,

National Pastoral Migratoria

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Estimados hermanos y hermanas de los Inmigrantes,

Esperamos que estas reflexiones de Adviento os ayuden a meditar y contemplar la migración de Dios a nuestro mundo y nos preparen para acoger a Jesús en nuestros corazones y hogares todos los días de nuestra vida a través del rostro de extraños.

Por favor, compartan nuestras reflexiones de Adviento (inglés) con sus contactos. ¡Gracias de antemano!

Paz

Pastoral Migratoria Nacional

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 November 6 CMS Migration Update, which includes:

Biden Administration’s New Regulation on Artificial Intelligence Directs DHS to Expedite Skilled Immigration
Texas Judge Blocks Biden Administration from Removing Razor Wire at US-Texas Border
US State Department Announces the Establishment of Safe Mobility Offices in Ecuador

Agradecemos al Centro de Estudios de Migración de Nueva York (CMS por sus siglas en inglés) por su Actualización de Migración semanal. Visite su página bilingüe de Actualización de Migración para mantenerse al día sobre las actualizaciones recientes de la política de migración.

Ver la Actualización de Migración del CMS del 6 de noviembre, que incluye:

La nueva regulación de la administración Biden sobre inteligencia artificial ordena al DHS acelerar la inmigración calificada
Juez de Texas impide que la administración de Biden retire el alambre de púas en la frontera entre Estados Unidos y Texas
Departamento de Estado de EE.UU. anuncia el establecimiento de Oficinas de Movilidad Segura en Ecuador

Migration-Related Stories, Op-Eds and Interviews by Catholic Bishops, and Catholic Agency Executives

Jesuit Refugee Service/USA and Jesuit Refugee Service/Latin America and Caribbean

Regional Concerns Regarding Deportations and Protection Risks in the Americas

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

Hope Border Institute: Explainer on SB 4 & SB 3

This document contains information about the recent Texas anti-immigration laws, SB 4 and SB 3.

Migration Policy Institute: Recent Immigrant Children: A Profile of New Arrivals to U.S. Schools

This fact sheet analyzes data from the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Census Bureau to illuminate the characteristics of recently arrived immigrant children, compared to longer-residing immigrant children, native-born children of immigrants, and U.S.-born children with U.S.-born parents. It considers topics such as their geographic distribution, language use, and school enrollment and completion, as well as characteristics of the households in which they live.

Pew Research Center: What We Know About Unauthorized Immigrants Living In the U.S.

The Pew Research Center estimates the undocumented population was 10.5 million in 2021, which is the latest available data. Also, according to the study, the population of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. is becoming more diverse, and Mexicans now have the smallest share they've ever had. Many more new estimates and data are in the report.

National Immigration Forum: Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Fact Sheet

This fact sheet explores TPS, which gives beneficiaries access to deportation protections and work authorization. The resource was updated late last month to include information related to recent developments.

Request: Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe 2023

The annual celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLG) is on December 12th. Please send us information of your upcoming OLG celebrations, Masses, and events so we can help publicize your events.

Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources

Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Washington, DC): Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass, December 9, 2023 at 3 PM. Celebrate the Feast Day of the patron saint of Mexico and the Americas with the Holy Trinity Migrant Familia. Mass will be followed by cookies with Santa in Trinity Hall.

Centreville (VA) Immigration Forum: Hire a Set of Helping Hands. The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) is where employers 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. The Centreville Immigration Forum was a former recipient of CCHD support.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday,

Tony Cube

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