JFI Week in Review 3/30/20 - 4/3/20

Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

COVID-19 Update and JFI Website Resources

U.S. Bishops' Chairman Issues Statement on Historic Emergency Legislation on Coronavirus Relief

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to address the economic fallout of the current COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The CARES Act is the third of Congress' response after the initial $8.3 billion bill for vaccine research and development, which was signed into law on March 6th, and the second $104 billion package largely focused on paid sick leave and unemployment benefits for workers and families, which was signed into law on March 18th.

On March 28th, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued a statement on the bill. On the lack of positive provisions protecting immigrants and refugees, Archbishop Coakley noted: "It was disappointing that certain aid and relief was not extended to the undocumented, and extremely concerning that testing and access to health care coverage was denied to certain immigrants. The health and wellbeing of all in this crisis is threatened if anyone is categorically excluded from getting help."

JFI Website Information on Covid-19 Resources

In our continuing effort to provide clear and up to date information to immigrants and other vulnerable members of our communities, we are regularly updating our Covid-19 resource page on the JFI website. Recent additions include: Migration-Related Policies in the CARES Act and 30 Ways to Take Care of Yourself and Others During the Covid-19 Crisis.

We have just published our Migration-Related Asks for COVID-19 Package #4
backgrounder for you to use with your lawmakers in your local in-district advocacy.

You can also find prayer resources, other migration-related information, and pertinent international and U.S. government resources on our Covid-19 page. Please check back regularly and feel free to recommend to us other resources to post.

Update on DACA

We wanted to update you on the Supreme Court decision on the legality of DACA. Due to COVID-19, the U.S. Supreme Court is not holding oral arguments at this time, but they are writing opinions. This means that the Supreme Court could be issuing an opinion sooner than late May or early June. It is possible that we could see an opinion on DACA during April. We at JFI want you to know that we are ramping up to be responsive to this new reality. We plan to have resources ready for you to use so that you can be ready to advocate to protect Dreamers in this crucial time. To this end, we are sending you our SAVE THE DATE for a JFI webinar that will be the day after the SCOTUS decision is announced at 2 PM Eastern.

Toolkit for Parish IDs

Parish identification cards (IDs) are one way in which parishes and communities across the U.S. can foster communities of welcome and help ensure the protection of immigrants in their community. A parish ID is an alternative form of identification that allows immigrants and other community members who have difficulty obtaining or are unable to obtain government-issued identification to have a valid way of identifying themselves to local law enforcement.

The newly created Parish Identification Card Toolkit contains information about what a parish ID is, why they are needed, and what impact they have on ID recipients and their communities. The toolkit also provides a general outline for the planning and creation of a parish ID program in your own community.

You can view and download the Parish Identification Card Toolkit in both English and Spanish on the JFI website.

USCCB/MRS and Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) Comment on Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Fee Increase

On March 30, 2020, USCCB/MRS and CCUSA submitted a letter to EOIR expressing concern about proposed fee changes that will make appeals, applications, and motions less accessible to respondents and could also negatively impact Catholic institutions who work with immigrants.

RCUSA Advocacy Committee Webinar: World Refugee Day: Solidarity with Refugees in the Time of COVID-19 - April 16, 2020 at 2 PM Eastern

Please save the date for this RCUSA webinar about ongoing efforts to maintain solidarity with refugees, World Refugee Day, legislative updates, and ongoing responses to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on refugees and other at-risk migrants.

Letter Urging DOS and DHS to Avoid Injustice from COVID-19-Related Processing Delays

Over 125 national, regional, and local nongovernmental organizations sent a letter urging the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to avoid injustice caused by COVID-19 delays to refugees and immigrants in processing for visas or other immigration benefits. Signatories included USCCB/MRS and numerous Catholic agencies.

Census 2020 - Important Reminder: Fill Out the Census! All People Count!

Wednesday, April 1, 2020 was National Census Day. Please participate in the 2020 Census to ensure that there is an accurate count in this once in a decade opportunity. Read our resource on What You Need to Know about Information and Data Sharing to learn more (en Español).

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Webinar: Higiene y Saneamiento Ante Covid-19 en Espacios para Personas Migrantes - 3 Abril 2020, 5 PM Hora centro/4 PM Hora Tijuana - Alberto Xicontencatl, Director - Casas del Migrante Saltillo y Rolando Walluche, Asesor Técnica para la respuesta humanitarian en Higien y Saneamiento, CRS. Unirse a la reunión: https://zoom.us/j/453754081 ID de reunión: 453 754 081.
Webinar: Understanding the CARES Act: Covid-19 Benefits for Refugees and Asylees - April 7, 2020 at 3:30 PM Eastern - To ensure refugees, asylees, and the organizations that serve them understand the available benefits in the CARES Act, RCUSA, We Are All America, and the National Partnership for New Americans are hosting a webinar to provide information about applicable assistance included in the legislation. Advanced registration is required.

Sacrament of Confession: St. James Catholic Church, Falls Church, VA - Priests at St. James are striving to meet your needs for Confessions. We now have an enhanced schedule of Confessions. You are welcome to receive this sacrament at 103 N. Spring St., Falls Church 22046. Look for signs upon arrival and you will be directed to where a priest can hear your Confession.

Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition Webinar: Understanding the Challenges of Detention Ministry - May 11, 2020 at 2 PM Eastern -
Featuring Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Archdiocese of Miami and Fr. Richard Sotelo, SJ, Chaplain - DHS El Paso Processing Center, webinar presenters discuss practical and spiritual dimensions of ministering to those who are in immigration detention. Register to receive the webinar link.

In Solidarity,

Tony Cube